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N.C. (WECT) – The gyms at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center now permanently carry the names of two legendary men who spent decades shaping hundreds of lives in the community
Coach William E. Murphy III and Coach Ronald E. Davis were recognized at the center in Wilmington during a renaming ceremony and sign unveiling on Aug. 28
“They were more than a coach,” said Wilmington Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Spears during the event. “They were father figures for some of us who didn’t have one. They were uncles, they were educators.”
‘Coach Murph,’ as he was widely known, spent decades coaching youth football, basketball, softball and community sports teams. At one point, he ran the 8th Street Center, the facility now known as the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, where his daughter, Portia Daniels-Murphy, works
“If I could make a quarter, not even a quarter, a 1% impact that he made, that’s how I would want to be remembered,” said Daniels-Murphy. “Sometimes no words can explain it, how great it is to see how much of a giant and a legend he is. I’m thankful always.”
She added that having their names displayed permanently will keep their stories alive for future generations
“It’s going to continue to spark a conversation of who these great men were and what their names still stand for,” she said. “He definitely would’ve been touched and honored.”
‘Coach Ron’ spent more than 30 years coaching and mentoring both local youth and adults. His wife, Maria Davis, shared how meaningful the permanent dedication is to their family
“For basketball to have a home, a permanent home, in his honor is such a tribute,” Maria said. ”Because of my husband’s character, these honors are being made and tributes to him. I’m very very proud because he was a man who didn’t seek recognition.”
Though both coaches have passed, the new signs ensure thousands of children entering the community center will know the men who paved the way
To learn more about Murphy’s accomplishments, click here
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