Jim “Doc” Murphy returns to McNeese as Director of Sports Medicine

LAKE CHARLES – Jim “Doc” Murphy, who previously spent 33 years in two stints heading the McNeese Athletic Training department, is returning for his third stint as he has been named the Director of Sports Medicine effective immediately.

A 2011 McNeese Sports Hall of Fame inductee, the Springdale, PA native is also a member of the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame and has received the prestigious Jim Finks Award for his accomplishments in sports medicine.

“This means a lot to me for many reason,” said Murphy on his return to Cowboy Country. “I’ve always loved this community, the university and the athletic program. My goal is to retire as the athletic trainer at McNeese.”

“We are excited to have ‘Doc’ Murphy return to McNeese as our Director of Sports Medicine,” said Director of Athletics Bruce Hemphill. “He has 33 years of McNeese experience while treating thousands of our student-athletes that have passed through our training room.

“His loyalty, expertise and knowledge of athletic training is second to none. We are vey happy to have ‘Doc’ back as a Cowboy.”

Murphy began his McNeese career in 1975 when Jack Doland was the head football coach, and spent 13 seasons as the head trainer until taking a job in El Paso. He returned in 1994 for a 20-year run, and in 2014, took a job as a physical therapist out in west Texas where he’s spent the last 3 ½ years.

“I love working with athletes,” said Murphy. They are motivated people and fun to be around. I’ve wanted to be an athletic trainer since my high school days.

“McNeese has a great tradition in athletics. You can go anywhere in the country and say ‘McNeese’ and everyone either knows about you or have heard of you.”