Successful Veteran Coach Sue Murphy Selected to Lead Pfeiffer Women's Lacrosse Program

Misenheimer, N.C. (Jan 5, 2024) – Pfeiffer University Athletics has selected Sue Murphy, a highly successful and former NCAA Division I coach to lead the Falcon women's lacrosse program.

Murphy started her storied career as the women's lacrosse and field hockey coach at Muhlenberg in 1992.  During her three-year stint at Muhlenberg, Murphy's lacrosse teams had a combined 11-25 overall record.  In field hockey, Murphy posted a 10-3-1 record in her first season and finished with a 15-12-3 overall record.

She then assumed the head coaching position at Boston University, leading the Terriers to a 55-48 record over six seasons from 1995-2001. She was named America East Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000.  Her 1999 Boston U team finished 15-4 overall while her 2000 squad was ranked as high as 11th in the NCAA Division I poll, receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament while winning the America East regular season and tournament titles. 

In 2001, Boston U achieved their highest ranking in program history at No. 6.  That season, she led BU to an 11-8 record and a 4-2 mark in conference play.  Over her tenure, she had two players earn America East Rookie of the Year awards and guided three players to America East Player of the Year honors.  In all, 21 Boston U players earned All-America East honors under Murphy's leadership.  In addition, she had one player named to the U.S. National Team.

Following her stint at Boston U, she oversaw the USA Developmental Team of college-aged student-athletes as the head coach of the organization from September 2000 to July 2006. The USA Developmental Team served as a feeder program to the 2001 USA World Cup Championship Team.

Her head coaching exploits then found their way to the University of Richmond, where she served the as head coach from 2001-2009.  While at Richmond, she guided the Spiders to an NCAA ranking of No. 9 within three seasons of taking over the UR program.

Her Spider teams captured three Atlantic-10 Regular Season Championships (2006, 2007, 2008) and three Atlantic-10 Tournament titles (2005, 2006, 2007).  She was also named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2006.

Murphy amassed a 76-59 overall record during her eight seasons at the helm of the Richmond program, had 30 all-conference selections, with seven earning league player of the year awards. Two student-athletes earned Rookie of the Year awards, three were All-America selections and one player was selected to the USA National Team. In addition, one Richmond player was selected to the Canadian National Team.

She currently holds a career lacrosse record of 144-132 (.522) as a head coach. and has won eight or more games in a season nine times throughout her 17-year career.

From 2011-2018, Murphy launched a successful lacrosse business in central Virginia with standout STORM Lacrosse travel teams, recruiting services, camps, clinics, tournaments and helped with the growth of girls' recreational lacrosse.  In 2018, she merged her STORM Lacrosse travel teams into the Richmond Strikers organization and held the position of Director of Coaching through 2020.

In her role with the Strikers, she directed recruiting support for 230 student-athletes, eventually helping 163 of those student-athletes play at each of the NCAA's three divisions.

Murphy also has served as a Recruiting Specialist for NCSA, which is affiliated with IMG Academy and is a co-owner of the Beach Blast Lax Tournament based in Lewes, Delaware.

A two-time All-American at UMass, Murphy was elected captain for her senior season.. She earned team MVP honors and finished her stellar career as the all-time leading scorer with 125 goals.  She currently stands 12th on the all-time UMass scoring list and also is 12th on the all-time list for career assists (57).  Murphy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management from UMass in 1990. She was a member of the U.S. Lacrosse National Squad from 1990-1992.

Murphy's hometown is Boyertown, Pa. where she played field hockey, basketball and lacrosse at Boyertown High School. As a prep lacrosse player, she helped Boyertown to a pair of Pennsylvania state championships while earning All-America accolades.
 
In 2002, she was inducted into the New England Chapter of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

She has two daughters, Abby (28) and Sara (19). Abby played field hockey at Appalachian State and Queens University and Sara played lacrosse at Winthrop.

"After months of searching for the next leader of our women's lacrosse program, we are ecstatic to have Sue Murphy join us in The Village," said Pfeiffer Athletic Director Zac Chilton '15.

Chilton continued, "Her success at the Division I level and her understanding and proven record of recruiting talented and high-level women's lacrosse student-athletes made it an easy decision to welcome a coach with the caliber of Sue as a member of our athletics staff.  We are extremely confident that she will have an immediate impact and will return our women's lacrosse team to prominence and to the top of the USA South. I do not think there is anyone out there who is more qualified to take this program to the next level than Sue, and we are excited to see her get to work!"

What They Are Saying About Sue Murphy…

Chris Sailer – Former Head Coach – Princeton University
"Pfeiffer University women's lacrosse is gaining a proven coach, recruiter, mentor and leader in the hiring of Sue Murphy.  Sue's love of the game, her humor, her energy, and her ability to relate to and motivate her teams are her trademarks as a coach.

She has a passion for coaching young women to be their best selves on and off the field, which has led to success throughout her career at the college, club and national team levels.  Sue's players are well-coached in the fundamentals and tactics of the game, they love playing for her, and they thrive in the culture and environment she creates.  It's no surprise they remain loyal to her well after graduation.  Pfeiffer has landed a great coach in Sue Murphy, who will no doubt elevate the program to new heights over her tenure.  Good luck Murph!"

Kerstin Kimel – Head Coach – Duke University
"Pfeiffer hit a home run in hiring Sue Murphy. She is a total pro with a ton of success in her previous stops at Richmond and Boston University. I am confident she will do a tremendous job creating a nationally competitive program for the Falcons in no time at all."

Amanda O'Leary – Head Coach – University of Florida
"Sue is a phenomenal coach and an amazing person. She has found great success coaching at all levels and this is another opportunity for her to showcase her outstanding coaching and leadership skills. Pfeiffer's women's lacrosse is in good hands with Sue at the helm."

Liz Robertshaw – Executive Director – Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA)
"Sue Murphy is a tremendous hire for Pfeiffer. Her high-level knowledge and passion for the game is clear to anyone who has worked with her or who has coached against her. Her ability to make genuine relationships with those surrounding her has proven to create a culture of success everywhere that she has coached."