MURRAY, KY - A scholarship has been established at Murray State University in memory of the late Thomas McGurk, who was a freshman at Murray State at the time of his death. The 18-year-old student from Medina, OH, was attending school through a baseball scholarship when a traffic accident claimed his life in October 2010.

His parents, Scott and Brenda McGurk, and his brother, David McGurk, established the scholarship as a way to memorialize Thomas’ determination and spirit by assisting young athletes in obtaining an education at Murray State University.

Thomas was a graduate of Medina High School and came to MSU as a left-handed pitcher for the Breds. He was known for his character and hard work. In fact, as a 16-year-old, Thomas was driving home one night when he saw a home on fire. He called 911 and, with a neighbor, broke out a basement window to save five children who had apparently been intentionally locked in the basement of the burning house. Those who knew him remember Thomas as charming and disciplined, with a great love of baseball.

Eligible recipients of the Thomas McGurk Memorial Scholarship will be full-time students at Murray State and members of the university’s baseball team. Preference will be given to applicants from Ohio. The renewable scholarship may be applied toward books, housing, tuition or fees. The first scholarship will be awarded for the Fall 2012 semester.

McGurk’s father, Scott, said that when searching for a college, Thomas found everything he wanted in a school at Murray State. “I think it all worked out for him to go to Murray State … it had all the criteria he was looking for and the school wanted him as well,” Scott noted a few days after his son’s death.

The McGurks created the scholarship not only to honor Thomas and his love of baseball, but also to give other young men full of potential a chance to shine in Division I baseball.

To learn more about the Thomas McGurk Memorial Scholarship and how to make a tax-deductible charitable contribution, contact the office of development at Murray State University at (270) 809-3940 or visit the development website at www.murraystate.edu/giving and click on “Meet Our Donors” or “Give Now.”