Media Release

For Immediate Release

May 1, 2008

Murphy accepts position as athletics director at SFU

Dr. David Murphy, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Saint Mary's University, has accepted the position of Senior Director of the Athletics Department at Simon Fraser University. The move will take effect June 9, 2008.

Murphy took over as Director of Athletics and Recreation at Saint Mary’s in 2003 following the passing of Saint Mary’s Athletic Director Larry Uteck. Twice serving as President of Atlantic University Sport (2005, 2007), Murphy has been a member of both the Executive and Disciplinary Committees of Canadian Interuniversity Sport. At Saint Mary’s, Murphy worked closely with the academic community, leading to a tripling in the number of Academic All-Canadians within the athletic program during his tenure.

Murphy graduated from Saint Mary’s with a Bachelor of Arts in 1966 and during his time as a student, quarterbacked the Huskies football team to an Atlantic Bowl title in 1964. He continued his involvement with the Huskies serving as offensive coordinator on the 1973 Vanier Cup champion team. He also served on the University's Board of Governors in the 1980s.

Before taking the position at Saint Mary’s, Murphy practiced as a maxillofacial surgeon in the Halifax area for 30 years and served as the Chief of Surgery at Dartmouth General Hospital from 1995-2001.
 
A search for a Director of Athletics and Recreation will begin in the near future.

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For more information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca