Skip Lee Field & McMurrey Track Rededication on Friday, August 28, 2026

Skip Lee came to St. John’s from Kinkaid in 1958 as an experienced football player and coach, known for his innovative style and emphasis on hard work. He led his St. John’s teams to multiple football championships. He also coached basketball and won an SPC championship in 1964. In addition to coaching, he taught science, served as Athletic Director, and became Dean of Students. He and his wife, Mary Louise Lee, who often worked at the Mothers’ Desk and hand-knitted the stripes into varsity letter sweaters, had four daughters: Karen Lee Aidman ’74, Susan Lee, Alison Lee Ravenna ’81, and Robin Lee Green ’83. On October 30, 1996, Brown Field was renamed Skip Lee Field. The plaque on the east bleachers reads: “Lamar W. (Skip) Lee who set a standard for leadership, integrity, sportsmanship, and dedication during his 36 years of service on the Faculty of St. John’s School as coach, mentor, dean, colleague, and friend.”

Frank McMurrey '74 dominated Houston’s high school track and field in the early 1970s. He was a great wide receiver and place kicker. He dreamed of playing football and pole vaulting in college and beyond. He broke the school record in the pole vault at 15’ and was one of the best pole vaulters in the nation. In 1974, at a track meet in Memorial, he tragically died from a congenital heart issue. In 1975, St. John’s dedicated the Frank McMurrey Memorial Track in his honor and erected a memorial inscribed with the words: “Dedicated to Frank by the many who loved him, and to those who follow him here who share his desire to excel and his joy in sport.” The St. John’s Boys Track & Field team’s athletic excellence award is named after Frank. In 2014, Frank was inducted into the St. John’s Track & Field Legends. Frank's sister, Odette McMurrey Mace ’76, accepted his award.