Longtime University of Northern Iowa women's coach Steve Murra died Saturday, Feb. 20, he was 47.

Murra coached at UNI for 21 years, winning two national championships and multiple Midwest titles, before stepping down at the end of last season to spend more time with his family. At the time of his stepping down, Murra said in a Facebook post:

"... I need to spend more time with my kids and attending all of their sporting events. I have been fortunate to have coached some great rugby players and more importantly great young women over the 21 years.

I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. Trust me when I say I learned more from you than you did from me.

I would not have been able to do it had it not been for my beautiful, understanding, passionate bride Jennifer Murra. Both of my kids sacrificed their time and I missed their events but they wouldn't have had it any other way. Finally, I would have never been able to do any of it had it not been for my mother & father in-law Marci Gallagher & Craig Gallagher."

Murra was also active as a coach for the hugely successful Midwest Thunderbirds select teams (U23, college level, and others), and won multiple championships with that team.

Throughout the weekend, tributes have poured in on social media about an influential coach whose passing was a huge shock.

Former Eagle Jen Sinkler called Murra a huge influence on her as a rugby player.

"Steve set the stage, and he was my home base for four years. We won a national championship together. He was my coach. He and his wife, Jennifer, were my friends," said Sinkler.  

The UNI Women's Rugby team posted "UNI Women's Rugby wouldn't be where it is today without Steve Murra.

In addition to coaching rugby, Murra was a history professor at UNI. Murra leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, daughter Riley, and son Ian. Services will be held (time TBA) at the Woodley Funeral Home in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

Goff Rugby Report joins all those who knew and were influenced by Steve Murra in expressing our deepest condolences to the Murra family and the broader families of rugby in iowa and women's college rugby. Murra was a frequent interview subject for GRR Editor Alex Goff and he was passionate about his program, and also the value of all-star play as not only a vehicle for creating national team players, but as a valuable tool in molding young people.