MARYVILLE – Running and coaching icon
Tyson Murphy is relinquishing his cross country duties so he can devote full-time responsibilities to the Mountain Challenge program at Maryville College.
Murphy takes over as director of Mountain Challenge on June 1. He also will continue teaching in the Outdoor Studies and Tourism curriculum.
Five-Time Coach of the Year
Murphy is a five-time conference coach of the year who won four league titles as head coach of both the Maryville men's and women's cross country squads. Both teams won Great South Athletic Conference crowns in 2006 and 2008, and Murphy was named GSAC Coach of the Year in 2006 (men and women), 2007 and 2008. He earned Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year honors in the USA South in 2013.
Murphy coached five individuals to six conference championship runs: Stephen Shankles, Jenna Boucher, Sean Hagstrom, Emily Guillaume and Daniel Beckett.
"Tyson's passion for developing student-athletes in their sport and in the classroom will be greatly missed," Maryville Director of Athletics Sara Quatrocky said. "In our department, he has amassed many accolades as a coach, but I'm sure he's most proud of the successes his students have had because they have been a part of his program.
"I know he will remain a friend of the program as we continue to build what he set as a solid foundation, and for that we are very grateful."
Mountain Challenge Remains in Great Hands
Murphy takes over Mountain Challenge from Bruce Guillaume, who founded Mountain Challenge LLC as a private company that facilitates outdoor programming for Maryville College students and classes while also providing local and national companies with outdoor-based training and consulting.
Maryville College students who participate in five different Mountain Challenge events may register to receive academic credit. Up to three hours of academic credit can be earned through Mountain Challenge and can fulfill the College experiential education requirement.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity coach Randy Lambert gave me 17 years ago," Murphy said. "I'm thankful to coach Kandis Schram for her leadership during the majority of my tenure in the department, and to Sara Quatrocky over the last few years. I'm also thankful for and amazed everyday by the work ethic, attitudes and competitive nature of the runners who have been a part of our program. They are THE working definition of student-athlete and represent the best of Division III.
"I have learned so much from them over the years, but especially that the hard work is often done in the woods and on course when no one else is watching, and when it's easiest to slow down or quit. I'm excited to see what's next for this program and I'm nervous yet enthusiastic as my responsibilities on campus shift. Go Scots!"
Murphy graduated from Maryville College with his Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Studies degree in 2003.
The college will conduct a national search for the first-ever fulltime head cross country coach.
