Owensboro native Cameron Carrico is being inducted into the Murray State University Athletics Hall of Fame. Carrico played golf for the Racers from 2007-11 — earning all-conference honors every year along with being named freshman of the year and player of the year as a senior.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on November 17 at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. The group will also be recognized at the MSU home football game the next day at Roy Stewart Stadium.
When he first learned of the honor, Carrico said he was an “emotional wreck.”
“I didn’t expect to hear news like this at this age,” Carrico said. “I think it will hit differently at the announcement ceremony. It’s an opportunity to show my kids how to pursue their dreams and the results of working hard.”
Carrico can still remember his first time playing for the Racers. He entered the match as Murray’s No. 1 golfer, then proceeded to top the ball off the first tee box. Shortly after, the nerves settled, and Carrico went on to win several tournaments as an individual and led the Racers to numerous team victories.
“There’s a difference in middle school, high school, and college golf,” he said. “After the first tournament, I knew the mindset I needed to be successful. We had a great team all 4 years and had a competitive culture.”
Carrico said being surrounded by top golfers committed to their game helped elevate his own. In his junior year, the Racers qualified for the NCAA regionals as a team, with five players shooting under par.
“Our team dynamic was unmatchable,” he said. “We didn’t care what number we were playing; we wanted the team to be successful.”
When he initially learned he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame, the monumental honor didn’t really sink in, Carrico said. One of his friends helped him put it all in perspective when he asked how many people Carrico knew that had been inducted into any type of hall of fame.
“I’ve always had a good career with several celebrations, but I never put in perspective how big of a deal this is,” Carrico said. “The great thing about golf is you can put in an entire career, and you never know what you might accomplish. Now, I’m just having fun – I’m at the fun stage of golf.”
That “fun stage” primarily consists of playing rounds with friends and taking his 6-year-old daughter out for a quick nine holes, where they repair as many ball marks as possible along the way.
Carrico said the Owensboro community, his family, and several close friends have played a pivotal role in his success. More than anything, he hopes his journey will encourage his children and other youth from the community to chase their dreams, whatever they may be.
“As my kids get older, I want them to understand that if you put your time in and work hard, you can accomplish great things,” he said. “Those are conversations I’m trying to have with kids. If a skinny kid from Owensboro can do it, anybody can do it.”
