Chicago-area organization puts tech-savvy Tom Murray in charge of website
Webmaster Tom Murray uses a GIF that depicts multiple images for the site's background
Webmaster of the Week: August 14-20
Name:
Tom Murray
Site:
Huskies Hockey Club
Position:
Webmaster, Technology Officer
Use of platform:
Registration, Sitebuilder
Background:
Murray competed in martial arts and played soccer while growing up in the Chicago area. He graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in management information systems and works as an IT vice president at Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 bank. Murray’s son, Tommy, is entering his fourth year playing for the Huskies, which has about 220 kids across all of its age and skill levels. Murray, who has helped out as a coach in recent seasons, upped his involvement two months ago by joining the board as webmaster/technology officer.
What he does:
Murray’s first project was to streamline the site’s previously cluttered navigation and home page, tasks that required “the better part of two or three weekends.” He also added some pizazz to the club’s site by creating three separate background images for the site, combining them into a GIF and then loading them as a single, rotating background. He built out a ReduceYourFees section that explains how parents can work at the Chicagoland Speedway selling concessions. Work enough hours, Murray says, and the entire fee for the season is waived. Murray uses Eventbrite for the speedway signups, and he uses the code element to place the registration information from Eventbrite directly on the Huskies' site.
Making his mark:
Murray created the Bob Graham Memorial Page, which pays tribute to the organization’s recently departed president. The page includes a link to Graham’s obituary and a letter from Director of Hockey Operations Michael Gedzun thanking the organization’s members for attending Graham’s memorial. Also on the page is a short article explaining Graham’s role with and impact on the club and photos of the coach who grew up playing for the Huskies.
Fun fact:
Murray’s son was part of the Huskies’ team that won a Pee Wee Gold B Illinois state championship last season.