By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
When 35-year-old Kevin Murphy took over the helm of Washington Township athletics in the fall of 2002, he already had an impressive résumé — a Ursinus College grad with a degree in Psychology, and concentrations in Biology and Athletic Training, he completed his graduate degree at Rider University with a Masters in Administration. He also had prior experience in the coaching/athletics field as the women’s basketball coach at Drexel and an assistant at Rider.
No amount of experience, however, could have prepared the younger Murphy for what was soon to come: 23 years later, countless games, numerous national anthems, and a whole lot of memories.
Murphy has been through a rollercoaster of a ride in his time as the head of Minutemen athletics. He was named Olympic Conference Athletic Director of the Year for 2011-2012 (the Minutemen switched to the Tri-County Conference in 2022), and received the DAANJ (Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey) sectional award of merit in 2020. He even made a bid for mayor of the Township in 2011.
Through it all, by his side has been his wife Ginny (A WTHS 1983 grad, sports hall-of-famer and Ursinus ’87 alum) his two sons Ryan, age 31 and an attorney in Philadelphia, and Matt, 28, who is a host on the Sixers Radio Network.
“It’s been a great run, reflecting back,” he said. “Two decades of great families, a great school community, and a really talented group of student athletes that are good students, good athletes, but better people.”
Washington Township High now has 2,075 total students from grades 9 through 12 and 1,200 student-athletes — both numbers that have grown immensely since he took over at the beginning of this century. Furthermore, the school offers 30 varsity sports programs.
It’s safe to say that he naturally has a lot on his plate with his normal day-to-day activities, but what has made the now 59-year-old Murphy respected as one of the most inspirational athletic directors across the region is his willingness to go above and beyond for his student-athletes. That was shown when he played a vital role in the expansion of the athletic complex with the addition of two turf fields and new track & field amenities earlier in his tenure.
“Our WTHS athletic director, Mr. Murphy, takes great pride in working with our coaches to cultivate the talents of our student-athletes, both on and off the field,” said Principal Raymond F. Anderson. “Mr. Murphy’s dedication to our programs has allowed our WTHS athletic teams to reach great heights in which our students excel extracurricularly as well as academically.”
Murphy estimates that more than 1,100 Washington Township student-athletes have gone on to play a sport at the collegiate level since his arrival in 2002 — a true testament to his commitment to giving all Township student-athletes the best chance to succeed.
Murphy is even able to motivate and influence younger athletic directors across the region. Take Rancocas Valley’s seventh-year A.D. Michael Lamb for instance. He credits Murphy with being a major reason why Rancocas Valley moved from the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) to the Olympic Conference.
“I think he’s one of the best athletic directors in South Jersey and throughout the state,” Lamb said. “He’s energetic and does a lot for kids around the community. He’s always willing to help. Anytime I’ve ever had a question about something or needed to know a rule — he was there. I have a huge respect for Kevin, and he knows that. He was also one of the guys that recruited RV to the Olympic Conference. His faculties are top notch and he’s worked hard for that. That’s a tribute to him. He set the standard for facilities for what Washington Township has, for sure.”
Longtime Mainland athletic director Mike Gatley — who’s tenure ends this month, as he’s retiring — had nothing but nice things to say about Murphy as well.
“I’ve known Kevin — are you ready for this? We coached against each other in basketball in 1989,” said Gatley, remembering a matchup from when they both coached junior varsity. “That’s where we first met each other. Where does that put us, 35 years? You know, he’s not only one of the best athletic directors, but one of the best people. When you’re in this line of work, I think your legacy is how you’re viewed with what your beliefs are with kids. I know it’s an overused cliché, but when you put the kids first, I think that’s easily seen. Kevin’s always done that, with the utmost class and professionalism.”
“Let me tell you something, you can be in this business a long time, and not be as respected as Kevin is,” he continued. “He’s earned that, he’ll help anybody at any time. That’s the legacy that you want to leave; that you’re a service oriented athletic administrator. That’s what counts.”
Gatley jokingly referred to Murphy as the “grandfather” of South Jersey athletic directors, which is a title he can hold true to heart after Gatley’s departure after 35 years.
If you happen to catch a Washington Township game this fall, whether it be anything from field hockey to football, you’ll often see Kevin Murphy right where he belongs: zooming around the complex in his signature golf cart.
And you better not be riding a bike on campus, because the legend himself will chase you down — all by himself.
Said Murphy, “we’re standing here at a football scrimmage. We have 155 kids playing football. We have over 600 kids playing fall sports. That’s what makes me want to get up in the morning. We have 85 coaches, super talented educators. There’s a lot of ‘firsts’ out there. When I get up, I do this every year, right? (For others) this is their first freshman year, this is their first day of senior year, this is their first scrimmage on varsity. There’s a lot of ‘firsts’ out there, and my job is to protect that first and make it as good an experience as possible.”
“It’s one special breed,” he continued, referring to his South Jersey athletic director family. “You have June Cioffi at Kingsway, Mike Lamb at RV, Mike Gatley at Mainland who’s retiring this year. Just a special group of individuals who have committed their lives to seeing their student-athletes grow and develop, helping coaches be a part of that equation where you’re creating an education-based athletic environment. Beyond the field, beyond the competition, they’re taking the life lessons learned that they’re going to carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
As for his future, Murphy said he plans to take it year-by-year when it comes to continuing as the “grandfather’ of South Jersey athletics. In the meantime, he’s in the process of finishing up his doctorate degree at Concordia University in Chicago.
Kevin Murphy is truly one of the most Inspirational Athletic Directors in our region.
Contact Brian Tortella: btortreportssj@gmail.com
