Grant Dillard
Staff Writer
gdillard@murraystate.edu
Staff Writer
gdillard@murraystate.edu
Murray State graduate David Bailey has spent his retirement traveling the world to visit iconic locations, and taking pictures in his Murray
State gear.
State gear.
Bailey graduated from Murray State in 1970 where he majored in elementary education with a minor in English.
In his junior year, Bailey wanted to change his major to golf course agronomy, but the major wasn’t offered in Kentucky at the time. After
graduating, Bailey moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where he lived for 37 years.
graduating, Bailey moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where he lived for 37 years.
Bailey left education after one year of teaching, and worked at golf courses until he retired in 2007 at age 60. He now lives in Paige,
Arizona, in a small town near the Grand Canyon.
Arizona, in a small town near the Grand Canyon.
Bailey started traveling long distances as a mental getaway, playing golf from Augusta National to Pebble Beach in the United States, to
St. Andrews in Scotland and Royal Melbourne in Australia.
St. Andrews in Scotland and Royal Melbourne in Australia.
“I have been to six continents, all 50 states at least twice,” Bailey said. “Though I get too seasick for an Antarctic adventure; I’ve
driven to the end of the road in Alaska, and the Arctic Ocean.”
driven to the end of the road in Alaska, and the Arctic Ocean.”
He decided to bring his Murray State gear along with him, after noticing others do the same on a mailing list from the University of
Arizona.
Arizona.
“Alumni do it in the newsletter, to show support for their teams,” Bailey said.
Whether it’s Egypt, India, China, or any other location he’s visited, Bailey doesn’t have one singular favorite.
“All are adventures,” Bailey said. “There can be no single best place. That is why you keep exploring.”
Carrie McGinnis, director of Alumni Relations, said hearing stories of alumni wearing their blue and gold is a good conversation starter and
shows affection for the University.
shows affection for the University.
“Seeing stories like David’s on social media might spark other alumni to jump online and order some swag from our bookstore, or proudly
sport their favorite Racer gear while traveling,” McGinnis said.
sport their favorite Racer gear while traveling,” McGinnis said.
The alumni office often gets stories like David’s.
“Our Racers are everywhere, so we hear stories all the time of alumni running into fellow Racers in places far and wide, and making a
connection simply because they were wearing a Murray State t-shirt or hat,” McGinnis said.
connection simply because they were wearing a Murray State t-shirt or hat,” McGinnis said.