Brownwood High School’s soccer program saw two of its senior players sign letters of intent with McMurry University on Wednesday morning.
Michael Westerman and Tim Murphy were honored by friends, family and the coaching staff of Brownwood High School as they signed to continue their soccer careers at McMurry. Their coach at BHS, J.B. Gibbs, stated that the two were being “rewarded for their hard work and talent and they get to go to school and play a sport, it’s a great way to do it.”
Gibbs described Murphy as a selfless player, giving up being a starter to fill the much needed position of goal keeper his senior year.
“Tim has done a very selfless thing this year. He has been a starter for at least two maybe three years and he gave that up because he knew we needed a goal keeper. That is one of the most selfless things I have ever seen. Because of him we had a great year, had we not had him at goal I don’t think we would have done as well this year” said Gibbs. “That was a big step by a big man. He gave up his position for less glory and less play. Now he’s going to college and he is going to be back in the field. I’m very proud of Tim. This meant a lot to me and I know it meant a lot to the team. I will always remember that, what a great thing.”
Murphy’s father Timothy stated that the two players have played soccer against each other and together on the same team in Cen-Tex soccer since the Murphys moved to Brownwood in 2003 and that watching them develop as athletes and young men has been quite an experience.
“Most of the team (BHS soccer) has played together for so long, they are great friends on and off the field,” said Mr. Murphy. “It’s going to be a joy to watch them play at McMurry and grow into successful young men.”
Tim will fill the position of forward and plans to study sports medicine at McMurry, with the dream of becoming a trainer for either a college or professional team.
“I’m excited we are both going to McMurray and continuing to play the sport we love,” said Murphy.
Westerman currently plays midfield and in the past has played forward as well. He will continue the midfield position at McMurry as he studies sports science. He stated his goal is to become a soccer coach after graduation.
Coach Gibbs described Westerman as a great leader.
“I remember Michael three years ago, running cross country as a sophomore and always at the back of the line. But it was like something ‘clicked’ one day, and within about a month off starting cross country he realized, ‘If I get good at this, I’ll be pretty good at soccer.’ Once that clicked, Michael has become one of this program’s leaders in many ways, as a cross country leader or as a soccer captain. This guy is one of the best leaders I have ever coached; he has done everything right both on and off the field as far as I know. He is getting a reward for that now.”
Westerman stated that he and Murphy will be roommates and that he is excited to attend McMurray and live in Abilene, its size being “not too big but just right.”
His mother stated that she liked the idea of McMurray being only an hour away. Both players’ families expressed the excitement of being close enough to attend home games.
BHS athletic secretary Lisa Jaso stated that these two, along with all of this year’s soccer players are being honored as the last team Coach Gibbs will coach, as he is leaving to move to California with his family at the end of the year. He and his wife are expecting a son in the near future and are moving closer to family. Gibbs leaving, Jaso stated was “a great loss for the team and a great loss for Brownwood High School.”
Pictured above left to right are: (standing) E.J. Davila, Heaven Westerman, Tammy Westerman, Katelyn Murphy, Timothy Murphy and Amy Murphy and (seated) Westerman and Murphy.
