Charles F. Murnane compressed a lifetime of significant athletic achievement in just a decade-and-a-half. When the respected coach died at the untimely age of 46 in 1939, he had compiled a 139-32 record in 16 baseball seasons at Utica Free Academy and Proctor High School.

Murnane was born in Clinton County near Plattsburgh, N.Y., in 1893 and later moved to Herkimer. He was an all-around athlete at Herkimer High School and graduated in 1911.

During World War I, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. , After the war, he starred in three sports at Ithaca College. He graduated in 1923.

He coached every UFA sport from 1923 to 1926, including girls' basketball.

Murnane established a succession of powerhouse baseball teams from 1924 to 1938. He coached undefeated teams in ~931 and 1936. The "Utes" went on a 20-game, two year undefeated streak form 1935 to 1937, earning a reputation statewide. Two major league -ballplayers, Hal White and George Detore, played at UFA under Murnane.

In 1938, Murnane was appointed athletic director at the new Proctor High School.

His 1938 basketball team won the city championship. In the spring of 1939, he posted a 6-2 record as baseball coach but he missed the final game of the season against UFA because he was home with a terminal illness. Murnane never returned to coaching and died two months later.

Testimonials after his death described him as a "caring tutor," and a coach who instilled the value of ethics, character and sportsmanship in his athletes.

More than 6,500 residents petitioned the Utica Common Council to name the athletic field on Sunset Avenue and Burrstone Road in honor of Murnane, "as a permanent token of our esteem and respect to his memory." The motion was approved on January 15, 1941.