WASHINGTON - It all started with a shoebox full of checks in 2008.

Joe Kresse (B'87) brought the box of checks totaling $100K to McDonough arena to establish a scholarship honoring his friend. It would become the first men's soccer endowed scholarship at Georgetown.

Peter Murphy

Peter (Murph) Murphy (SFS '87) was a member of the men's soccer program as a manager and student-athlete while on the Hilltop. He passed away suddenly on June 30, 2007 while on vacation with friends in Mexico celebrating his wife Sheila's 40th birthday and their 10th anniversary. It was a devastating loss to his friends and family, including his three children Maeve, Kevin and Patrick. Murph's former teammates wanted to honor him, so in September 2008 they decided to endow a men's soccer scholarship in his memory.

"Murph was a man who never forgot where he came from and always exhibited a true sense of passion for his faith, country, family, friends, Lewiston, Maine and Georgetown University soccer," said friend and donor Jim McGrail (C'87). "It was that passion that inspired Pete Clare, Larry Everling, Joe Kresse, Joe Laplante, Jim Martel, Mike Murphy and myself to join together to endow a men's soccer scholarship in Murph's name."

That shoebox became something that would change the men's soccer program. As the fund continued to grow, it became a point of pride for the coaching staff and many alumni.

Head Men's Soccer Coach Brian Wiese knew how important scholarship was for the program and saw that the fund would have an immediate impact. He assigned the scholarship to some of the biggest stars on the team, two of which have gone on to be MLS draft picks.

As the program improved and awareness grew, so did the donations. The group used their 2012 reunion to raise almost $200,000 for the fund. They also worked with the athletic development office and soccer team to host the Peter Murphy Kids Soccer Clinic during the weekend.

In the spring of 2017, the group gathered once again, and this time the reception and soccer clinic had grown, much like the impact of the fund. They were challenged to double the value of the fund from $330K to $660K and an anonymous donor would then bring the fund to $1M. Despite the lofty goal, they have hit the mark due to the ongoing dedication of 175 unique donors.

The most telling signs of the difference this scholarship has made are in the recipients. Ian Christianson (C'15) was the first recipient and helped lead the Hoyas to their first-ever national championship game. He was later a second round draft pick by the New York Red Bulls. Following in his footsteps was Joshua Yaro who was the second overall pick in the 2016 MLS draft by the Philadelphia Union.

Both players were so moved by the fund that they have donated to the scholarship, hoping to make a difference for the next generation of Hoyas.

This year, it was awarded to goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski (Alamo, Calif./De La Salle). The goalkeeper took last semester off to train with the United States U-20 National Team and play in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Already a two-year captain as a junior, Marcinkowski is a phenomenal student, athlete and person who carries on Murph's legacy both on and off of the field.

"The close circle expanded just as anything Murph's indomitable spirit moved, and less than 10 years later, hundreds of family, friends and alumni so positively impacted by Murph joined together to raise over $1 million," said McGrail. "We know Murph couldn't be prouder that his name will be forever linked with the Georgetown University men's soccer program and student-athletes such as Ian Christianson, Joshua Yaro, JT Marcinkowski and all those in the future who will benefit from the passion that Murph continues to inspire not only in the people closest to him but also in people that he never met."

On Monday, the program will recognize all those involved with honoring Murph's legacy at the game against Duke at Shaw Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.