Museum Launches Jim Murray Sports Communications Scholars Program

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – Jim Murray’s sports commentary influenced thousands of young writers.

Now, through a partnership with the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, a new generation of students will benefit from Murray’s legacy.

Funded by a donation from the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Murray’s passing, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Communications Department is debuting the Jim Murray Sports Communication Scholars Program. Featuring internship positions for one semester each, the program will provide meaningful experience for students while learning from professionals at the Museum in Cooperstown.

Each Jim Murray Scholar will receive professional, hands-on experience in writing projects and public relations tasks as part of an educational experience provided by the Hall of Fame’s Communications Department, with a focus on publicizing and executing the institution’s three-fold mission to Preserve History, Honor Excellence and Connect Generations.

"The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is grateful to the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation for its generosity and we are thrilled to carry on Jim's legacy through this program," said Josh Rawitch, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "I grew up reading Jim and know how much he meant to the field of journalism and sports fans not only in Los Angeles, but across the country. He would undoubtedly be proud of those who will follow in his footsteps."

Each Jim Murray Scholar must be actively enrolled in either undergraduate- or graduate-level studies and seeking a career in Journalism, Sports Communications or a related field. Scholars will serve one semester, either fall (September to December) or spring (January to April), with expected hours of a regular work week in the Hall of Fame’s offices in Cooperstown, with some remote work available, as part of a necessary capstone project (or similar) for their degree. Scholars are required to receive university credit for their participation in the program and will receive a living stipend of $2,500, if allowed by their college or university.

“I take enormous pride in the accomplishments of the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation over the past two decades,” said Linda Murray Hofmans, Jim Murray Memorial Foundation founder. “I am confident that Jim’s legacy will be in protective hands at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Jim was indeed a homerun hitter with a pen in his hand.”

Jim Murray Scholars will leave the position with professional experience related to the field of sports communications and a significant writing portfolio via regular assignments through the semester. This includes a significant portfolio of published writing and having produced a project relevant to public relations.

Students will be selected based on those candidates who apply. Only highly qualified candidates will be accepted into the program.

For more information and to learn how to support the program, click here.

This program is made possible by the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation, which was created in 1999 by his widow Linda Murray Hofmans to perpetuate Jim Murray’s legacy and his love for and dedication to his extraordinary career in journalism.

The 1987 BBWAA Career Excellence Award winner, Murray was a revered columnist for the Los Angeles Times for more than 30 years following stops with the Los Angeles Examiner, the New Haven Register and the Hartford Times.

Murray, who passed away in 1998, became the first sportswriter to win the coveted Victor Award in 1982 and in 1990 he won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for commentary.