Maturing into a man

MILAN TWP. — On his chest, near his heart, an anchor tattooed on Connor McMurray's body symbolizes more than just his adoration for marine life. Each time the 2023 Edison High School graduate glances down or gazes into a mirror, he's instantly reminded of a man — his grandfather, Dave Winters — who ingrained a deep passion for all things water in him. "My grandpa got me into boating, snorkeling and scuba diving," said McMurray, who still enjoys going on trips to Florida with Winters. "That anchor on my chest represents just a fraction of the love and care that I have for him." The anchor also reminds McMurray to stay grounded in life, a virtue he greatly appreciates and now understands when compared to four years ago upon entering high school. "I was immature. My freshman, sophomore and part of my junior years, I just didn't act the way I should have," McMurray said shortly after taking part in his district's commencement ceremony on June 4. "It wasn't until the reality of life hit me," he added. "One day, I was just thinking, 'Wow, all of this is coming to me now. I got to mature. I got to get things together the best that I can and keep going forward if I want to get the things I have planned done." Football, friends, family In fall 2022, McMurray's final season with the Edison Chargers football team greatly helped him grow up. During the preseason, head coach Jim Hall named McMurray as one of the team's captains. The responsibility involved McMurray setting an example for younger players on how to properly conduct themselves both on and off the field. McMurray excelled in the role: • On the field, primarily a linebacker, he took additional snaps at running back early on in the season when several Edison players sustained injuries. He also made a game-saving, goalline tackle in an exhilarating 13-7 victory over Port Clinton on Sept. 23. • Off the field, he groomed younger players who displayed similar childish traits McMurray knew all too well, correcting them by pointing out his prior mistakes. "I have always wanted to be a leader of a football team," McMurray said. "When I was younger, I looked up to so many seniors — like Joe Stoll, Aiden Hayward, Jacob Brewer, Jacob Stoll — who had a work ethic that I wanted to match and show coaches this is what I want." Hall beamed with great pride when talking about McMurray, one of the students he's most proud to guide throughout his coaching tenure. "Watching the growth and development of our players during the time we have with them is one of the great rewards of coaching high school football," Hall said. "Connor's journey is, no doubt, one in which I am proud to have witnessed and played a small part in." Friends and teammates also noticed a stark difference in McMurary, carrying himself in a more confident way while staying accountable to all parties. "Connor has always been a positive leader," said Dominic Dymond, a fellow Class of 2023 graduate who played football with McMurray. McMurray credited Dymond and their tight-knit friend's circle of about 25 guys for their transformation from boys to men. "Connor has always gotten me hype as a friend and teammate." Hall followed up on Dymond's point. "He has grown and matured on so many levels that to choose one example would not do justice," Hall said. "As a football player, he made huge strides in terms of his understanding how leadership and setting an example can impact the success of a team. His physical and emotional development have been remarkable. I believe he has learned that leadership means to serve others and make sacrifices for the greater good. I am very proud to have had a hand in his development and am looking to follow his success in the future." McMurray evolved because he knew his many siblings, including one in particular, wanted to emulate his every move. "My little brother, Dominic, he plays football, too," McMurray said. "I have always wanted him to have a better childhood than I did, and it's great to be a big brother to him and inspire him. That means the world to me." Ensuring a legacy continues Following graduation, McMurray, who works at Dick's Sporting Goods near Sandusky Mall, intends on following in his grandfather's footsteps. Winters founded his Port Clinton-based business, Storage Condominiums, in 1996. In Chris Ceccoli's Edison High School class, "He had us outline our short-term and long-term goals, and I talked about possibly taking over part of my grandpa's family business," McMurray said. "I have always wanted to be a person to run my own business, and the love I have for him, I promise I would uphold the values he has." McMurray believes he now possesses the virtues needed to ensure his family business can succeed for years to come, which would earn Winters' respect for life. "He taught me always to work hard, working from sun up to sun down. That helped me develop the character I have today, and I love it," McMurray said. "He is who I want to be in life, and everything he taught me, I want to carry on."