Hall of Fame
ALUMNI COACH
A three-year letter winner in track & field and cross country while at Bemidji State, Dr. Alan J. Murdoch’s contributions to athletics later blossomed on the ice in Ames, Iowa. After graduating from BSC with a bachelor’s degree in health physical education and psychology, Dr. Murdoch went on to pursue a graduate degree in higher learning at Iowa State University. He founded the Iowa State men’s ice hockey program where he coached for 45 years and finished with a career record of 1,071-522-46, in addition to starting a women’s program and men’s junior varsity team. Dr. Murdoch’s ISU teams won 12 Central States Collegiate Hockey League Tournament Championships, one American Collegiate Hockey Association Championship, three ACHA runner-up finishes and played in four ACHA semifinalist games. He helped in the founding of the ACHA in 1991, becoming the organization’s first president and later having the national championship trophy named after him as the “Murdoch Cup.” Dr. Murdoch was inducted into the ACHA Hall of Fame in the spring of 2019.
A hockey enthusiast, Dr. Murdoch’s passion drove him to help in the founding of the CSCHL in 1970, starting the Ames Minor Hockey Association in 1973 and helping in the founding of the Iowa High School Hockey League in 1976. He also played a key role in raising of funds for the Cyclone Area Community Center, an indoor ice arena used by all ages from both the community of Ames and Iowa State’s students and staff. After 20 years, Dr. Murdoch again stepped up to play a role in securing private, university and community funds to build a new arena that opened in 2001.
Dr. Murdoch was also a main protagonist in USA Hockey choosing ACHA players to compete at the World University Games. Eighteen of his players have played for Team USA at the World University Games, where he has served as head coach, general manager and scouting coordinator. Dr. Murdoch was awarded the Team USA Hockey’s Adult Member of the Year in 2012 and the President’s Award for outstanding contribution to USA Hockey in 2019.
Dr. Murdoch retired from coaching in 2014 and currently serves as a Team USA Hockey Director Emeritus.
Â
