Charlotte, N.C. – Neosho County Community College (NCCC) Head Baseball Coach Steve Murry was named in the inaugural class of honorees for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Coaches Legacy Award on Tuesday, June 17. The award, which recognizes the all-time winningest coaches in NJCAA history, marks the first time in the history of the NJCAA that coaches have been recognized in such a major fashion.
“Although they recognize individuals in these awards, it is a culmination of great players, assistant coaches, and administration,” Murry said. “I am very honored to have been able to attend the first induction of the legacy awards.”
Murry was among the nearly 200 coaches from 28 sports nominated by the member colleges at which they coached. He was one of the 36 baseball coaches nominated who met the criteria of at least 1,000 career wins.
“Coach Murry has been at the cornerstone of NCCC and NJCAA athletics for nearly four decades,” said Dr. Riann Mullis, NCCC Athletic Director. “Coach Murry embodies what it means to be a true educator and competitor. This national recognition is a fitting tribute to a man who has poured his heart into developing champions on the field and in life.”
Since taking over the helm of the baseball program in June of 1986, Murry has amassed more than enough wins to meet the NJCAA’s criteria with a total of 1,231 to date. His resume is bolstered by Central District Coach of the Year honors, Region VI Championships, and World Series qualifications in 2003, 2012, and 2013, and Jayhawk Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2002, 2005, and 2016.
Murry has not just taken care of things in the win column. His other accolades include the NCCC Instructor of the Year award in 1999-2000, the NISOD Award of Excellence for Faculty in 2009, the “Homa Thomas” Sportsmanship Award during the 2013 NJCAA World Series, and the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce “Educator of the Year” award in 2015.
All honorees were recognized at a luncheon on Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C., preceding the 2025 NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards event.
“Being able to recognize our coaches, past and present, is a wonderful thing for the NJCAA, our member institutions, the coaches, and their families,” said Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President and CEO. “We were pleased to have many of these coaches come together for us to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the NJCAA.”
