Dale Murray, a widely beloved Coast Conference commissioner, died at the age of 81 on Feb. 25. Murray had served as commissioner of the Coast Conference for the California Community College Athletic Association since 1989.
For 37 years, Murray devoted himself to the league with dedication, integrity and care. Through seasons of growth, change, challenge and celebration, Murray was a steady presence who guided conferences with passion and purpose.
Prior to his role as a commissioner, Murray served at Cabrillo College for 49 years. He was Cabrillo’s athletic trainer from 1973 to 2001, athletic director from 1979 to 2016 and athletic program specialist from 2016-19.
LPC athletic director and head coach James Giacomazzi met Murray early on in his coaching career. Murray served as a guide to young Giacomazzi.
“I met Dale pretty much as soon as I got into coaching in 1998,” Giacomazzi said. “We developed a really good relationship. I think he might’ve (seen) a young, go-getter athletic director, and I think he kinda liked that.”
Murray was more than just a colleague to Giacomazz. “He felt like a mentor to me,” Giacomazzi said. “I would run a lot of things by him. I’d run a lot of scenarios by him. … He was a person that you can lean on.”
Murray was highly decorated — he was inducted into the California Community College Athletic Directors Association, 3C2A and Cabrillo College Halls of Fame. But the recognition goes beyond his work. He believed that students should always be the top priority, and he never wavered from putting their needs first. He will be widely remembered for that kindness and integrity.
Many student athletes grew and succeeded under Murray’s leadership. He worked hard to make sure they had the chance to compete, learn important life lessons and reach their full potential.
“I (could) call him, he (could) call me. We would just talk about whatever,” Giacomazzi said. “He was really helpful in my career, and in what I’m doing now as an athletic director. He did a lot for the Coast Conference. He will surely be missed.”
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TOP PHOTO: Dale Murray, Coast Conference commissioner died Feb. 25, 2026. Murray served as commissioner for 37 years. (Courtesy of the Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Chance Shavies is a staff writer for The Express.
