The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2012
- Class:
- 1987
A first-team All-American and the Southwest Conference Player of the Year in 1986, (Murray) Franco was one of the top setters in school history. She concluded her career as the school’s all-time leader in assists (4,003), a mark that stood for 14 years, and ranked second in career digs (1,041) at the time of her graduation. Her 163 service aces still rank fourth on UT’s career charts. Prior to enrolling at Texas, (Murray) Franco participated in the 1983 Olympic Festival. During her sophomore season in 1984, she paced the Longhorns to a 32-7 mark and a trip to the NCAA Regional final while setting a school single-season record with 1,596 assists, a mark that still stands today. (Murray) Franco, who recorded 66 assists in the NCAA South Regional final against UCLA, tallied 50 or more assists in 10 matches and reached the 60-assist mark three times during the season. (Murray) Franco was a member of the 1985 United States Junior National Team in the summer prior to her junior season, serving as team captain for a squad that traveled to Japan and China. She then led Texas to a 26-6 mark and another NCAA Regional finals appearance as a junior in 1985. (Murray) Franco capped her collegiate career by earning CVCA (Collegiate Volleyball Coaches Association), Asics and Volleyball Monthly All-America First Team and SWC Player of the Year honors as a senior, while guiding the Longhorns to a 29-6 record and a trip to the NCAA Semifinals. In her final season, she recorded 1,050 assists to go along with 312 digs, 112 kills and 59 blocks. (Murray) Franco was a three-time NCAA Tournament All-Regional selection and a three-time All-SWC First Team pick, and later was named to the SWC’s All-Decade Team for the 1980s. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1987 from The University of Texas and then played one season professionally with the Chicago Breeze of Major League Volleyball. (Murray) Franco spent 10 years as a classroom teacher at the third, fourth and fifth-grade level before working for the last 13 years as the physical education and health teacher at Naumann Elementary School in Cedar Park, Texas. She also is an ACE and AFAA certified fitness trainer and teaches adult fitness classes at Lifetime Fitness. (Murray) Franco has implemented many programs to create a proactive fitness lifestyle for children and adults alike. She runs a summer conditioning program for middle and high school volleyball players and gives private volleyball lessons, sharing her expertise and love of fitness with younger girls. (Murray) Franco has been a presenter at the annual convention for the Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She and her husband, Philip, reside in Cedar Park with their son, Christopher.