April 25, 2007

Ask a University of Dayton student who the most dominant athlete on campus is and you're likely to hear a lot of the same names over and over again.

Senior men's tennis co-captain, Tom Murphy, doesn't have that name recognition. Although Murphy's exposure might not be what it should, he graduates this year as the most decorated tennis player in Dayton Flyer history.

Head coach Steve Brumbaugh and many sources close to the program say they cannot remember a better tennis player in the history of the program. "As an athlete, he really is the best tennis player I've had at UD," said Brumbaugh, who led the squad to a 13-12 overall record this spring. "As a person, he's a great young man. He just has a lot of character, all the guys look up to him."

It is no wonder Murphy is respected by his coach and teammates. The senior business major departs with a number of eye-popping statistics. Murphy compiled a singles record of 26-6 during the 2006-2007 season - a career-high in wins for Murphy and second-best mark in the conference. Early in the spring, the senior was in dominant form. At one point, Murphy ran off 11 straight singles wins while dropping just one solitary set in those contests.

While the men's tennis squad may not get as much press as some other Dayton athletic programs, Murphy has shown repeatedly his ability to fly under the radar, and has dominated Dayton competition with incredible consistency.

The co-captain's illustrious career came to a conclusion last Thursday when he was decorated with First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors for the fourth consecutive season - something no other Flyer student-athlete has ever accomplished. Murphy surrounded himself with some elite company with the feat. In fact, only seven other student-athletes have earned all-conference honors for four-straight years since the Atlantic 10's inception in 1975.

His dominance and on-court demeanor draws raves from teammates and opponents alike. Even rival Xavier coaches have nothing but praises for Murphy.

"As a coach, you love your own players," said Eric Toth, assistant coach for the Musketeers. "But you can't help but respect certain opposing players when they bring to the court what Tom does."

What Murphy brought to the court was a career 92-39 singles mark, not to mention his intangible leadership skills. Murphy leaves Dayton after amassing 174 total match victories with an all-time .669 winning percentage. He also excelled in doubles play, where the Carmel, Ind. native went 82-47 in matches over his four seasons at Dayton. As Murphy's doubles partner, junior James O'Connell had a hand in 19 of those wins over the past two years.

"The best parts of his game are his volleys and his anticipation," said O'Connell. "He's always there, wherever the ball is. When he's on his game, I don't think anybody in the conference can beat him." Murphy, in fact, lost to just three conference opponents this season. He credits the coaching he received at UD with helping him to develop his all-around game.

"Coach has definitely helped me mentally," said Murphy. "He's very big on serving and volleying and things like that. He's helped me to be patient and consistent, which has given me the confidence to win some big matches."

After all the big wins and everything else the tennis phenom has accomplished at UD, it is hard to fathom that Murphy's career as a Flyer almost never was. As a senior at Indianapolis' Cathedral High School, Murphy was recruited to play at Indiana University. He nearly took his game to the Big Ten Conference, but Murphy decided to stick with Dayton.

"It was a big controversy for me," said Murphy. "I was going to go to IU and sign with them, but some things happened. It didn't really work out with the coach, and then Dayton and coach Brumbaugh came across with the offer."

Murphy recalls choosing Dayton because he felt more comfortable with the school.

"I went to a private, catholic school in Indianapolis," said Murphy. "It wasn't that big, just like Dayton. There were the same values, and I wanted to be with my friends."

Four years later, Murphy says he couldn't be happier with his collegiate experience.

"Going to IU, the tennis would have been more demanding," said Murphy. "The A-10 was very competitive as well, but I like how at Dayton you can have some free time. Coming to UD was the best decision I've ever made."