Jan. 7, 2008

Name: Jim Murphy
Institution/Organization: Davidson College
Number of years in your position: Director of Athletics for twelve years
Alma Mater: Davidson College `78
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Your role in NACDA: President, Div. I Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association
Why you became involved in NACDA: Twenty-two years ago, I was told NACDA was the place to meet everyone involved in the administration of college athletics. They were right!
Favorite part about being in NACDA: Seeing long-time friends

Biggest challenge to working in athletics: The incentives are grossly misplaced and there's never enough funding to make anyone happy.
Greatest accomplishment to date: Having people realize that college athletics can be used to support the goals and objectives of the College - preparing students for lives of leadership and service.
Most important skill you have developed in your career: Effective communication - speaking and writing
Best advice you were ever given: "Great things can happen when you're not concerned with who receives the credit."
Most influential person in your career: Dr. Homer Rice, retired Director of Athletics at Georgia Tech and my mentor to this day.
Where you see yourself in 10 years: I rarely project myself into the future more than one year. In ten years, I'm likely to be at Davidson enjoying the results of our efforts.
Advice for those looking to get into athletics administration: "Always take your job very seriously, but never take yourself too seriously."

Dream Job: Commissioner of Major League Baseball
Hidden Talent: I've been teaching myself to play the guitar for 15 years.
Current cell phone ring: Vibrate
One item you cannot live without: My running shoes
Who would you choose to switch places with for a day: Bud Selig
If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would you go: Tuscany
If you could attend one sporting event this year, it would be: The World Series
Four people you would like to have dinner with: Myles Brand, Bud Selig, Roger Goodell & Tim Russert

My favorite ...
Place to eat: Hilma's, Sint Maarten (Netherland Antilles)
Flavor of ice cream: Coffee
Sports memory: My son, Matt, and I at Game 6 of the 1995 World Series when the Braves won the pennant.
Movie I've seen this year: Death at a Funeral (hilarious)
Pro Team: Atlanta Braves
TV Show: Seinfeld
Musical group/artist: REM
Childhood memory: Playing baseball with my Dad coaching the team.
Holiday: Christmas
Gift I've received: Being a bone marrow donor
College campus: Davidson College