News Releases

Dr. David Murphy, a former Director of Athletics and Recreation at Saint Mary's University, will return to his director’s role on an interim basis effective immediately.

Murphy was an Athletics and Recreation Director at Saint Mary’s for five years in the mid 2000’s before moving on to the top athletics job at Simon Fraser University. He completed his three year contract with the B.C. University in the spring of 2011 and recently moved back to Nova Scotia. While at SFU he was named by the Globe and Mail as one of the top 50 power brokers in Canadian sport.

"David Murphy is clearly a highly intelligent, motivated and energetic person who knows Saint Mary’s and is committed to an unwavering focus on the student-athlete experience," says Keith Hotchkiss, Director of Student Services.

Murphy graduated from Saint Mary’s with a Bachelor of Arts in 1966 and during his time as a student, quarterbacked the Huskies football team to an Atlantic Bowl title in 1964. He continued his involvement with the Huskies serving as offensive coordinator on the 1973 Vanier Cup championship team. He also served on the University's Board of Governors in the 1980s.

Twice serving as President of Atlantic University Sport (2005, 2007), Murphy has been a member of both the Executive and Disciplinary Committees of Canadian Interuniversity Sport. At Saint Mary’s, Murphy worked closely with the academic community, leading to a tripling in the number of Academic All-Canadians within the athletic program during his tenure.

Before taking the position at Saint Mary’s, Murphy practised as a  surgeon in Halifax area for 30 years and served as the Chief of Surgery at Dartmouth General Hospital from 1995-2001.

"I am pleased and honored to be back at Saint Mary's University and look forward to renewing my relationship with the University, the coaches and the student athletes. I am anxious to familiarize myself with the Homburg Center and work with the recreation staff on improving the wellness of the Saint Mary's community. It is great to be back."

Murphy replaces Steve Sarty who left the position in August. A national search for a permanent director is expected to get underway by late fall.