Murray finds community & comfort after family tragedy

By Allison Scott

Hussein Murray, RCU’s assistant athletic director of marketing and external relations, and his family suffered an unspeakable tragedy on Oct. 11, when his grandfather was murdered in his Rochester Hills home by two men posing as DTE workers, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. They were located and arrested late in the week after the crime occurred.

“It took me a couple of days to be able to really gather my thoughts and process the

situation,” said Murray, who was named after his grandfather, who was a 72-year-old husband, father and grandfather. He owned Gold & Glitter Jewelry in Hamtramck.

In a statement to the “Detroit Free Press” after the homicide, Murray said, “My grandfather was a man with a heart of gold, who treated all those around him with kindness and compassion. He has made a lasting impact with our family and community, and I’m beyond proud to call him my grandfather.”

After the tragedy, Murray explained that he had time to deal with his raw emotions shortly after the funeral when he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

“What allowed me to push through that was realizing just how many people personally reached out to me and our family,” he said. “We were shown so much care and love, and I was especially touched by just how many of our athletes and staff reached out to me.”

The community of not only athletes but also RCU as a whole creates a safe and supportive environment for those in times of need.

“Those small interactions can really add up and alter the outlook of a situation, and I had several moments where I just stopped and appreciated how many great people I’ve been surrounded by in my time at RCU,” Murray said.

RCU places a high priority on community, which is evident through practices such as reaching out to those suffering, counseling opportunities, Community, Life and Worship offerings, Warriors Thrive, and many more on-campus support opportunities.

“No matter the odds, this campus always finds a way to be great. And that’s something everyone here should be proud of themselves for,” Murray said.

He credits RCU athletics, in particular, with supporting him. “There are so many people that I’d need to thank specifically. Hundreds of people, including probably hundreds of our athletes, reached out to me and offered their support,” he said. Speaking about the RCU athletic department, he describes the group as “an amazing bunch, that’s something I can say over and over.”

“Our family was overwhelmed with support. A situation as dark and saddening as this might make you want to lose faith in community, but the people around us kept our faith reinforced,” he said.

Murray is honoring his grandfather today by cherishing every moment with his family, as he explained his grandfather loved nothing more than to be surrounded by loved ones.

“I carry his name, and I’ve learned to realize what is really important to me in my life. My grandfather left behind an incredible legacy, and I want to do the same for my family and community someday,” he said.

In a time when people are increasingly isolated, Murray said, “The words, ‘I’m here if you need anything,’ can have more of an impact than you may realize. In some ways, that phrase may have saved my life.”