Wake Forest Athletics
In Memory of Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Jack Murdock
5/28/2026 2:59:00 PM | Baseball, General, Men's Basketball
Jack Murdock was a two-sport standout for the Demon Deacons men’s basketball and baseball programs during the mid-1950s.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Athletics mourns the loss of Jack Murdock, a former dual athlete who competed for the men's basketball and baseball teams before being inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.
He is survived by his son, Jack; grandchildren Connor Murdock, Mary Elaine Murdock Farlow and Madeline Tew; and great grandchildren Mary Claire Tew, Palmer Allen Tew and Rhodes Odom Farlow.
A native of Raleigh, N.C., Murdock attended Wake Forest from 1954-57. He excelled on the hardwood during his three-year career with the Demon Deacons men's basketball program, earning several accolades that include:
Murdock scored 1,239 points while averaging 14.9 points per game for his career. His total in points ranks 34th among all-time Demon Deacons.
An 85.8 percent career free throw shooter known as one of the most efficient guards to compete for the Deacs, Murdock held the major college record for career free-throw percentage and set the ACC record by converting 39 straight free-throw attempts. He remains one of only two players in ACC history to lead the league in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage in the same season, doing so in 1955-56. Murdock still holds the highest ACC Tournament single-game free throw percentage within program history, going a perfect 14-for-14 at the stripe versus NC State on March 7, 1957. His 465 made free throws rank eighth in Wake Forest's career records.
A letterwinner for the Deacs' baseball team, Murdock was a catcher on the 1957 squad, helping the team ultimately finish second in the ACC.
Following his playing days, Murdock returned to Wake Forest to serve as a men's basketball assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Bones McKinney from 1961-65 before stepping into a head coaching role for one season in 1966.
Years after his Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame induction, Murdock was also inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. Additionally, he is a member of the North Carolina Softball Hall of Fame, recognized as a fast-pitch standout for teams in Winston-Salem and Canton, Ohio.
What They're Saying About Jack Murdock
He is survived by his son, Jack; grandchildren Connor Murdock, Mary Elaine Murdock Farlow and Madeline Tew; and great grandchildren Mary Claire Tew, Palmer Allen Tew and Rhodes Odom Farlow.
A native of Raleigh, N.C., Murdock attended Wake Forest from 1954-57. He excelled on the hardwood during his three-year career with the Demon Deacons men's basketball program, earning several accolades that include:
- 1957 Converse All-American
- First Team All-ACC (1957)
- Second Team All-ACC (1956)
- Two-time ACC All-Tournament Team selection (1956-57)
Murdock scored 1,239 points while averaging 14.9 points per game for his career. His total in points ranks 34th among all-time Demon Deacons.
An 85.8 percent career free throw shooter known as one of the most efficient guards to compete for the Deacs, Murdock held the major college record for career free-throw percentage and set the ACC record by converting 39 straight free-throw attempts. He remains one of only two players in ACC history to lead the league in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage in the same season, doing so in 1955-56. Murdock still holds the highest ACC Tournament single-game free throw percentage within program history, going a perfect 14-for-14 at the stripe versus NC State on March 7, 1957. His 465 made free throws rank eighth in Wake Forest's career records.
A letterwinner for the Deacs' baseball team, Murdock was a catcher on the 1957 squad, helping the team ultimately finish second in the ACC.
Following his playing days, Murdock returned to Wake Forest to serve as a men's basketball assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Bones McKinney from 1961-65 before stepping into a head coaching role for one season in 1966.
Years after his Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame induction, Murdock was also inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. Additionally, he is a member of the North Carolina Softball Hall of Fame, recognized as a fast-pitch standout for teams in Winston-Salem and Canton, Ohio.
What They're Saying About Jack Murdock
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie ('93):
- "A member of both the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, Jack Murdock represented the best of Wake Forest University during his illustrious two-sport career in basketball and baseball. A former All-American and All-ACC selection as a student-athlete, Jack gave back to his alma mater to serve as a freshman team coach for four years before working with fellow Wake Forest legend Bones McKinney. Our thoughts are with the entire Murdock family."
- Former Head Men's Basketball Coach & Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Dave Odom:
- "Jack was a great friend who loved Wake Forest. He cared deeply for the values that the university offers. Most of all, he loved his family, his wife Mary Douglas and his kids. Jack was always eager to help whenever needed and support Wake Forest and the basketball program, having played and coached here. He competed with some of the best players in Wake history and remains one of the most revered student-athletes to come through here. Wake Forest will forever be grateful for Jack and all that he meant to the Demon Deacons."
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