Annual Michael Murphy Basketball Game A Cherished Tradition
The beloved community-building 8th grade vs. faculty game celebrates 32nd year
Friday marked the 32nd anniversary of the Michael Murphy 8th Grade vs. Faculty Basketball Game, a long-standing tradition named after former SHS teacher and coach Michael Murphy, who passed away nine years ago and was a dedicated supporter of the game.
LMS Boys’ Athletic Director Jeff Reynolds, a friend and colleague of Murphy’s, spoke about the tradition and the importance of the event.
“I think everyone would agree that Mike was the heart and soul of the campus; he was very involved in our Masses and prayer and taught pretty much every eighth-grade kid whether it was math or religion,” said Reynolds. “This game is one of the ways our community remembers him and the incredible impact he made.”
Murphy also served as a deacon on campus, and coached girls’ and boys’ basketball.
The event is a major “community-building event on campus,” that typically fills the gym with 700-plus attendees said Reynolds.
Any eighth-grade boy can participate, said Reynolds, and students across the grades get involved in other ways. Each year different activities are planned—students might select the music and act as “DJs” or perform musical or theatrical entertainment; this year a three-point shooting contest at half-time got other youngsters involved, and the Gator Tones a capella group performed the National Anthem.
And what few people may know about the friendly rivalry, Reynolds said, is that the faculty—despite having more years’ experience on the courts—don’t always win. “The kids have won seven times, and faculty have won 25 out of 32 times;” on Friday, the faculty did take home the trophy.
A companion eighth grade girls’ event is slated for later this semester on May 28th—the Campbell Cup, a flag football game against Menlo School celebrating its 22nd anniversary. That event is in honor of Bill Campbell, an SHS coach, parent of two alumni, and longtime supporter of the school.
Referencing the Murphy basketball game, alum Luke Johnston (SHP ’22) recalled how meaningful the game was to his eighth-grade class. “We loved the chance to compete with our faculty and staff at such a wonderful event. The build-up the week before the game was similar to that of an important playoff game. Not only were we excited to play the teachers, but we wanted to win, too.”
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LMS Boys’ Athletic Director Jeff Reynolds, a friend and colleague of Murphy’s, spoke about the tradition and the importance of the event.
“I think everyone would agree that Mike was the heart and soul of the campus; he was very involved in our Masses and prayer and taught pretty much every eighth-grade kid whether it was math or religion,” said Reynolds. “This game is one of the ways our community remembers him and the incredible impact he made.”
Murphy also served as a deacon on campus, and coached girls’ and boys’ basketball.
The event is a major “community-building event on campus,” that typically fills the gym with 700-plus attendees said Reynolds.
Any eighth-grade boy can participate, said Reynolds, and students across the grades get involved in other ways. Each year different activities are planned—students might select the music and act as “DJs” or perform musical or theatrical entertainment; this year a three-point shooting contest at half-time got other youngsters involved, and the Gator Tones a capella group performed the National Anthem.
And what few people may know about the friendly rivalry, Reynolds said, is that the faculty—despite having more years’ experience on the courts—don’t always win. “The kids have won seven times, and faculty have won 25 out of 32 times;” on Friday, the faculty did take home the trophy.
A companion eighth grade girls’ event is slated for later this semester on May 28th—the Campbell Cup, a flag football game against Menlo School celebrating its 22nd anniversary. That event is in honor of Bill Campbell, an SHS coach, parent of two alumni, and longtime supporter of the school.
Referencing the Murphy basketball game, alum Luke Johnston (SHP ’22) recalled how meaningful the game was to his eighth-grade class. “We loved the chance to compete with our faculty and staff at such a wonderful event. The build-up the week before the game was similar to that of an important playoff game. Not only were we excited to play the teachers, but we wanted to win, too.”
Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12
