Traci Cherry Cockerham met Gil Murdock when he was her Lower School Physical Education (PE) teacher.  Traci, who graduated with the class of 2002, says Coach Murdock ran a tight ship but ensured every student loved being a Charger. “He taught us fundamental skills, made sure everyone played fair and most importantly, that everyone had fun,” she says. “He had a passion for Providence Day (PD), children and athletics."

Gilbert (Gil) Murdock started working at PD in 1971. He created and coached many of the school’s current sports teams and served as the Athletic Director for several years. Murdock retired in 2006 and passed away a few days later.  His impact on the community inspired the Gil Murdock Turkey Trot.  The event encourages food donations in his honor for the Second Harvest Food Bank while also asking participants to “trot” around the track- an homage to his passion and expertise in fitness.

Many of his former students and players consider the event as the perfect way to acknowledge his memory and his campus  legacy. 

Traci says one of the things she remembers most about Coach Murdock is how he took physical fitness  tests seriously.

“There [was] no cheating in the ever-famous sit-and-reach [test],” she says. “ When we were preparing for the annual fitness test, he had a way to instill confidence in us. He spent one-on-one time with students to help them get better—for me, this was the impossible rope climb.”

Despite his no-nonsense approach to preparing his students for fitness tests, he also liked to have fun with his students. For example, Coach Murdock jumped into a game of War ball with Traci’s class during PE.

“He loved to give an extra challenge to the  winning team by joining the underdogs,” she says.

Collin Ricks and Debbie Hyde-Ricks, both of the class of 2002, also spoke of Coach Murdock’s softer side,  remembering him as a fatherly figure who was also “a great storyteller and surprisingly funny.”

Collin joined the varsity golf team when he was in the ninth grade, and Coach Murdock was his coach. He remembers the many times Coach Murdock drove the team to matches.

“We had a young team our freshman year,” Colin says. “Everyone would sit in the back of the bus by default, [but] by our sophomore year, everyone was sitting up front and laughing with Coach the entire trip. He created a sense of community around him everywhere he went.

Debbie ran cross-country in Middle and Upper School and says that Coach Murdock “created a fun, healthy, challenging and motivating atmosphere for our cross country team that kept me looking forward to our after school runs and the community that came with it.”

A perfect way to honor Coach

Ben Hovis, of the class of 1996, started running track in seventh grade, and it was then that he started to develop a relationship with Coach Murdock.

“Gil was steady on his expectations of his teams and athletes,” Mr. Hovis, who coaches PD’s cross country and track teams, says. “It was always clear what he wanted to see from you as an athlete on his team. However, it was also clear that he cared about each person and wanted you to be your best. [He] was a second father to me. He pushed me when I needed to be pushed, but he also comforted me when I needed that.”

The alumni, each of whom have at least one child currently enrolled in Lower School, agree that the Turkey Trot is the best way to honor their former teacher, coach, and role model.

'When I learned about the Turkey Trot, I thought that it was the perfect way to honor Coach Murdock's memory and give back in a big way which he would have loved,” Mr. Hovis says. “[In] our family, the Turkey Trot event starts [with] a fun conversation each year about our memories at PD with Coach Murdock, finding gratitude for all the good in the world, and the importance of giving back.”

Colin and Debbie agree. “An event focused on kindness, charity, community and fitness seems very appropriate [way to honor Gil Murdock],”  Debbie says.

Traci says Coach Murdock loved Providence Day.

“I love that we are still honoring his legacy with the Gil Murdock Turkey Trot,” she says. “I have been running in the Turkey Trot since 2020 when [my son] Court began TK.  [Although] it is evident why I was never on any of his cross-country teams when I am out there trotting, the community impact is beautiful to see.  So many parents join their children on the track and donate to the food drive to make a really impressive event. The Turkey Trot is one of those occasions that is the heart and soul of the PD community.”