May 21, 2003
Colgate University Athletic Director Mark Murphy announced today that he will leave Colgate to become director of athletics at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., a member of the Big Ten Conference.
A 1977 graduate of Colgate, Murphy returned to his alma mater as director of athletics in January 1992. He joined the college administration after a distinguished playing career as a free safety with the Washington Redskins, three years as assistant executive director of the NFL Players Association, and five years as an attorney in Washington, first in private practice and then with the Justice Department.
Murphy said: "I am appreciative that Colgate gave me the opportunity to lead the athletic program. I've enjoyed my 11 years here, and I am proud of all that the coaches, the athletes and I have been able to accomplish during my tenure. I've also enjoyed working with President Rebecca Chopp this past year, and feel confident she will do great things for the college. Colgate will always have special meaning for me, but Northwestern presents a unique career opportunity at this point in my life."
Colgate President Rebecca Chopp praised Murphy for his service to the college: "In eleven years as director of athletics Mark worked with four Colgate presidents," she said. "In my inaugural year I have had the benefit of learning from Mark's great wisdom about Colgate athletics and about the landscape of competitive intercollegiate athletics at the Division I level for a college such as ours.
"Mark's hand is evident not only in our intercollegiate program, where Colgate competes successfully in the Patriot League and the ECAC while maintaining one of the highest athlete graduation rates in Division I, but also in our club sports, intramurals, and recreational athletics. It is emblematic of his administration that, even as Colgate varsity teams compete for league titles and berths in national championships, USAToday ranks our intramural program among the top five in the nation, and the college's Outdoor Education program is nationally recognized.
"Mark is a revered and respected member of the Colgate administration, on campus and off, and he is a wonderful representative and ambassador of the college. We know that won't change, even as he takes on his new responsibilities at one of the nation's great research universities, with teams competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics today. He leaves with the best wishes of all of us in the Colgate community. We will continue to follow the progress of his bright star."
In addition to his bachelors degree from Colgate, Murphy holds a masters in business administration from American University and a juris doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. As an undergraduate at Colgate, Murphy captained both the football and baseball teams, and eight years after graduating was elected to the college's Athletic Hall of Honor.
As director of athletics at Colgate, Murphy is responsible for a number of improvements to the college's athletic facilities. Wm. Brian Little Fitness Center, in which Murphy played an instrumental role, is one of the finest facilities of its type on a college campus.
He oversaw the construction of Tyler's Field, an Astroturf stadium that is home for field hockey and women's and men's lacrosse, and a practice area for several other teams. Murphy helped bring lights to Van Doren Field, home of Raider soccer, and new bleachers to Cotterell Court, home to basketball and volleyball. In 1995, Murphy announced the opening of the Harry Lang cross-country trail, one of the finest such trails in the East.
Under his leadership, the department has also improved women's locker rooms, renovated the lobby of Reid Athletic Center, built the Angert Family climbing wall, opened a new varsity weight room, added five new international squash courts, established a softball complex at the Eaton Street Field, and equipped and staffed a sports medicine center providing care for varsity athletes. In addition, Murphy was instrumental in the planning and fundraising for two projects that will be completed this summer, the Glendening Family Boathouse and a new press box for Andy Kerr Stadium.
On the playing field during Murphy's administration, the football program has gone from an 0-11 season in 1995 to three consecutive appearances in the NCAA I-AA playoffs, and in 2002 posted its seventh consecutive winning season, the longest streak in Colgate football history. The men's basketball team has twice advanced to the NCAA Tournament; the softball team participated in the 1999 and 2003 NCAA Tournaments.
The men's ice hockey team advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2000. Both the men's and women's soccer teams have gained national exposure for the first time in Colgate history, the women's team captured eight Patriot League championships and made three NCAA appearances during his tenure. In addition, the women's volleyball team made two NCAA appearances. Colgate added three varsity teams during his tenure, women's ice hockey and men's and women's crew. Nearly every intercollegiate program has shown improvement since his hiring.
Off the field, Murphy established the Faculty and Academic Liaison programs and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee to benefit student athletes, and organized the Colgate Athletic Council, a fund-raising organization that provides monies for unbudgeted extras to support the overall athletic program.
Within the Patriot League, ECAC and NCAA, Murphy is active on a number of committees, including the NCAA Cabinet that oversees all Division I championships. He also remains active within the NFL, serving on Commisioner Paul Tabliabue's Player Advisory Committee and the Youth Football Fund Committee.
As a Washington Redskin he was captain of the Super Bowl XVII championship team, and played in the Pro Bowl in 1983. He was selected to the Redskins' 50th anniversary first team, and a year ago was chosen one of the top 70 Redskins of all time. His community service was heralded in 1984 with the Miller Man of the Year Award.
Murphy's wife Laurie is a 1978 graduate of Colgate. The couple and their four children have resided in Hamilton for eleven years, playing active roles in the community.