Photo: Rich Barnes / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Philadelphia-based artist Chris B. Murray is set to begin work on a mural honoring Jim Boeheim, the legendary Syracuse University men's basketball coach, starting September 21. The mural will be located on West Fayette Street in Armory Square, Syracuse, and will stand over three stories tall. Murray, who has worked with major sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB, is excited to pay tribute to Boeheim, who coached the Syracuse Orange for nearly 50 years and led them to a national championship in 2003.
Murray's connection to Syracuse runs deep, having grown up in Central New York and attended Boeheim's summer basketball camps. He describes Boeheim as "a symbol of consistency, grit, and success," and aims for the mural to capture the coach's impact on the community. The mural will feature iconic images of Boeheim throughout his career, including his classic suit and tie look from the eighties and nineties and the Block S jacket from his later years.
The project, titled "The Jim Boeheim Syracuse 'Legacy' Mural," has been in the works for two years and is supported by Boeheim and his wife, Juli. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise the $90,000 needed to complete the mural, with 60% of the goal already met. Murray hopes the mural will serve as a reminder of Boeheim's contributions to Syracuse and inspire future generations.