Project 53: Vince Dooley and Liz Murphey
Last year while helping my high school sophomore work his way through six page essays on literary works such at Julius Caesar, Dante, The Iliad and the Odyssey, and various other “non-British” literature as assigned in the syllabus - a thought pierced me. See, we homeschool the kids and I am their English teacher, writing tutor, explainer of classical works of literature, editor and mom.
And, I love it.
In fact, last week during a poetry section; I used a work of bathroom-stall poetry about a broken hearted fellow to explain theme, setting, point of view and literary devices. It’s all there if you look for it and it made sense to begin with a simple work of poetry for a high school boy than to begin with Frost, Yeates or Dickinson.
Anyway, back to the piercing thought.
In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare uses virtue and vice to paint vivid pictures of how a character chooses to live their life. For example, the reader knows early in the play which characters are on what side of the eventual tragedy based on their alliances, their conversations with other characters and with themselves though internal dialogue. Their strengths (virtue) and weaknesses (vice) are well communicated. A virtue, however isn’t the same as a value. It is in fact, the active form of a value.
Since I love value work, I got to thinking.
From Value to Virtue: The Making of Project 53
In December of 2023, I decided to make the value of gratitude into a virtue; meaning, I was going to take the abstract idea of being grateful or thankful and I was going to make it a verb.Gratitude was going to be active. I quickly made a list of the people who immediately popped into my mind as those whom I would personally like to thank. I came up with the number 53 - one person a week for a whole year and the last one (the 53rd) would be an act of gratitude to myself.
As of this publishing, I have worked through 44 people on the list. I’ve had conversations or meals with them in person, written emails of letters to those who are hard to get a hold of or are public figures and I’ve had many, many wonderful phone conversations. It has been an incredible gift to me.
Vince Dooley, Athletic Director, UGA
Two people who immediately came to mind when constructing the list of 53 were the Athletic Director, Vince Dooley and the Assistant Athletic Director for Women's Sports, Liz Murphey. Both were important figures during the time I played at Georgia and I distinctly remember both being at our matches in the old P.E. building. Two Georgia icons squeezed between maybe 300 fans in the little gym where we played most of our matches. If you ever think you have it bad, just remember that this 2x 1st team All-American, SEC POY and FOY had to get changed in the same dressing room at the refs and we had to get out of there when they needed to change or use the restroom.
I didn’t go to Georgia for the facilities. I went to hit volleyballs.
I saw Coach Dooley many times after I graduated. Whether that was in he Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall before he retired or in the bookstore for one of his many signings or appearances. A highlight for me was the time my son got to meet him. I won’t forget the face he made when I told him my son raced mountain bikes! Pure shock. Another time when we were both at an alumni book signing at the bookstore, I was chatting with Coach Dooley and talking about my kids; I said it was so great to see him again and his reply will stick with me forever.
He said matter of factly, “You know, it’s hard to retire in a place where you’ve been so visible.”
Liz Murphey, Asst. Athletic Director, UGA
I didn’t have as much interaction with Coach Murphey after I graduated. I do have a typed out letter on Georgia Letterhead (ah, man, I miss that so much) that she personally signed telling me how grateful she was to finally have a Georgia Volleyball All-American. It says this:
“Dear Priscilla,
Congratulations to you and your family, teammates and coaches. The University is so very proud of all your accomplishments and the fact that you have another year to share your talents.
You can’t imagine how long I’ve prayed and waited for an All-American in Volleyball! As our first All-American in Volleyball, you welcome a new era to Georgia Volleyball. Thank you for your efforts.
I hope this Christmas season brings lots of thankfulness to you and your family. We are sincerely thankful for you!”
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Murphey, Associate Athletic Director
The Circle of Honor: Dooley, Murphey and Pacheco
One of the greatest honors of my athletic career was being inducted into the Georgia Athletics Circle of Honor. Both Coach Dooley and Coach Murphey are also members and were inducted well before I was. I’m incredibly grateful for my time at Georgia, the support our team and our sport had from athletic staff. Both Coach Dooley and Coach Murphey have passed away, but their legacy, their dedication to women’s athletics and, specifically, volleyball will always be remembered.
