Mauli Chopra ‘27

Lucas Murray poses for an action shot. It's all smiles, all net! Photo by Luca Mesiti ‘27.

Cluck, Cluck, DUNK!!!

The crowd went wild as the announcer’s voice rang through the gymnasium. The voice congratulated #34 of the Sarah Lawrence basketball team for his 500th rebound. The team moved quickly from defense to offense, gaining back the advantage. Captain Lucas Murray, nicknamed Chack by his passionate teammates, celebrated this and other accomplishments on his Senior Day, Feb. 17. He was surrounded by his family, coaches, and adoring fans in the match against Manhattanville College, where Lucas had just accomplished his 500th rebound, which is when a team gains possession of the ball after the opposing team misses a shot. Lucas was also congratulated for earning the Skyline Weekly Honor Roll, the All Metroplotitian Writer’s Association Honorable Mention, and his time on the Track team in high school before running Cross Country for SLC during his junior and senior year. Along with hard work, Lucas credits his accomplishments to his favorite food, chicken. This passion for chicken eventually paved the way for his nickname, Chack.

The Senior Day game ended with a score of 62-73, a tough loss against Manhattanville College for the Gryphons. Bouncing back from this defeat, the SLC Men’s Basketball team advanced to the Quarterfinals, winning against Maritime Privateers on the 20th before playing against Farmingdale State in the Semi-finals on Feb. 22nd. The team continued their grind uphill but, in the end, came up short during the semi-finals, the season's conclusion. Lucas is not only a role model for all upcoming athletes on the team but an example of passion, determination, accomplishment, and hard work.

A Pre-Med student here at Sarah Lawrence College, his friends would describe him as the “busiest man alive.” In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting and hiking. He hopes to pursue a career as a primary care physician. This inner drive comes from what he believes to be his most significant inspiration: his family.

“Without them and their support, I would not be the person I am today,” Murray said. Reflecting on his basketball career, he recalls a little boy ready to be an athlete, “dribbling a ball and shooting on a hoop as soon as I was able to walk.” As a second grader, standing tall at 4'9”, he played organized basketball before continuing on to the competitive club in 5th grade. His passion (and stature) grew with every dribble and drip of sweat.

Now at 6 '6”, he aspires to “promote health and wellness, as well as help people address their medical needs” as he moves his full-time commitment from basketball to his scholarly future. He hopes to pursue a career as a primary care physician. Personal support from Lucas’ teammates in his academic career easily carries over to support on the court in the form of thundering voices. The SLC Men’s Basketball team values an atmosphere that is supportive and further integrates the mentality of success; their collective cheers for their teammates could be heard from the benches in fiery echoes throughout the Senior Day game. “Let’s go, Defense!!!!” and “You can’t do that!!!!” being the most popular. Cheers roared louder for Lucas as his lineouts and under-the-net scores had SLC closely tied with Manhattanville until the second period. Murray ended with advice for upcoming and continuing SLC athletes as he passed the torch. “My advice for student-athletes at SLC is to always give 100 percent effort and to cherish every moment because the four-year timeframe goes by in an instant,” Lucas said.

Lucas ‘Chack’ Murray: Senior Day Spotlight