Ken Murphy

Testimonial:
Learning the game in college as part of the infamous Brockport Doggies, Murph joined the Lions in the early 90′s, bringing his genuine love for the game, an absolute willingness to commit 100% to any ruck, maul, tackle or breakaway, and an unselfish nature both on and off the field. His canny play, at practically every forward position, and his commitment, made him many fast friends among the Lions as well as their opponents… evidenced by his close friendships with players all over the world — from the tip of Nova Scotia to the depths of biker bars in New Zealand.

Known for his off-the-cuff speeches and asides that always left them rolling in the aisles, Murph also embodied the social side of the Lions, always ready to enjoy a pint with a new recruit or an old veteran, or offer up his couch for visiting players.

Murph’s commitment to the club extended far beyond the field. During some of the Lions’ leanest years, with only five or six people out at practice, he acted as President, part-time Coach, Equipment Manager and Transport Manager — almost single-handedly keeping the club afloat.

Murph’s generosity and commitment are a credit not only to the club that he has poured so much of himself into, but also to the image of American rugby, and of course, to the game as a whole.

–Alan Lobo

Biography:

When Ken Murphy joined the Lions in 1994, the club was in something of a tailspin. After its first season in Division I, most of the international players that bolstered the squad had left for their homelands, leaving behind essentially a shrinking handful of B-side players and zero leadership. Many spoke of disbanding the club.

A veteran of SUNY Brockport’s notorious Doggies program, Murph grabbed the wheel and set the Lions on their proper course. As club president, he helped the Lions find a new home on Randalls Island, as opposed to distant Van Cortlandt Park. He went out and bought lights and a generator, so we could practice at East River Park. He helped find a bar that the club could call home, spearheaded recruiting (bringing in both new players and older ones who’d semi-retired) and led on the pitch as well — playing in the A side pack, and filling in on the B side wherever he was needed, be it 1 through 15. A hard-nosed hooker, Murph believed wholeheartedly in the axiom that, if you brought the ball into a tackle, you sure as hell made sure it came out. Few can say they ever saw him fail in that regard.

A Harley-riding native of Long Island, Murph steered the club onto solid ground, and retained his spot in the center of the A scrum until well past the age that saw others play old boys. Though a variety of knee injuries did eventually push Murph to the Lion Kings, his intensity hasn’t wavered one bit, whether he’s taking a quick-tap, discussing the game in the pub, or climbing a mountain in New Zealand with some old teammates.

Tags: Hall of Fame