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Northern Kentucky Football Legend Mike Murphy Has Died

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Orville Fred "Mike" Murphy (June 7, 1934 - January 9, 2018)

 

Covington Holmes football sports legend who went on to start as quarterback for the Cincinnati Bearcats for 3 years. Returned to Holmes after graduating from UC as an assistant under his old coach, Tom Ellis (namesake of the Holmes athletic stadium). Mike went on to continue as an assistant under Owen Hauck at Highlands, and then at age 33 he took over the Highlands football program in 1967, where he won undefeated state championships in 1968 and 1970. He then took over as head coach at Newport High in 1974, coaching there for 12 years before once again joining as an assistant on coach Owen Hauck's staff, this time at Boone County High School in 1987.

 

Absolutely a legend. "Magic Mike" Murphy was also the very beloved uncle to one of my best friends, and I thought I would share my friend's words about him:

 

"Magic Mike" Murphy wore #77 for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats as a quarterback. As the oldest of 11 siblings, he'd do plenty of leading in his life. Without any children of his own, he was still a family man who embraced every single one of his nieces and nephews. Every Thanksgiving, he and Aunt Kay opened their home to the Murphy family. For a long time, Thanksgiving was my absolute favorite holiday because we got to go to Uncle Mike's house to play ping pong in the basement, to toss football in the front yard, to watch the games with my uncles. He didn't just lead at home, though, as he lead in his professional life as a high school football coach. He lead his young men to state titles at schools throughout Northern Kentucky in multiple counties during a football career that spanned five decades. He lead, and he inspired, and he was one of the good ones.

This morning, Uncle Mike succumbed to Alzheimer's, a horrible, menacing illness that took from his memory. He had to give up driving, and I ended up with his car. He had to give up his home, and he had to give up being with Aunt Kay everyday to be in a facility. It is truly heartbreaking and unfair to see such a beloved man lose his faculties and forget the people in front of him are his loved ones. It is only now that his pain and suffering are over, and that is perhaps the only solace in his passing.

Growing up on Uncle Mike's couch, watching football with my uncles, it was one of the first times I learned to truly love sports, both the companionship and strategy. Uncle Mike saw the plays before they happened, and he identified the talents instantly. His watchful eyes and analysis of the games were always ahead of the commentators. It seems like a small thing to care about sports when someone passes, but they are a metaphor for the struggle humans face. Some times, though, the rules and refs are simply stacked against you. But good quarterbacks stand in the pocket under pressure, and they deliver. Uncle Mike delivered.

Every Thanksgiving, Uncle Mike lead us in saying grace. He lead his family, his brothers, his sisters, his nieces, his nephews. As one of the younger Murphy grandchildren, Uncle Mike served as a surrogate grandfather, and he lead me to believe in teammates, in hard work, in careful planning, in trust, and in family. He will forever be missed. Rest in peace. Amen.

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Orville Fred "Mike" Murphy

June 7, 1934 - January 9, 2018

 

 

Visitation:

Monday, January 15, 2018 from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

 

 

Service:

Monday, January 15, 2018 1:00 P.M. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

 

Orville F. "Mike" Murphy, of Fort Thomas, KY, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at Alois Alzheimer Center, where he lived for the past two years. He was preceded in death by his parents: Orville P. and Luella B. Murphy and siblings: Mary Ehme and George E. Murphy. He leaves behind his wife: Kay Joyce (nee Fox) Murphy and siblings: John (Donna) Murphy, David (Sandy) Murphy, Janice Neal, Albert (Jo Ann) Murphy, Raymond (Joyce Baker) Murphy, Lorraine (Joe) Ruh, Fred (Debbie) Murphy and Peggy (Mick) Warman. He grew up in the Peaselburg Area of Covington and attended Covington Holmes High School where he met the pride of his life, and his wife of 61 years, Kay Joyce Fox. He played for Coach Tom Ellis, and lettered in four sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football and Track. He won the state competition in pole vaulting in 1952. He was offered a minor league baseball contract with the Cincinnati Reds, but opted to play college football instead. He was offered a scholarship to the University of Kentucky by Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, but decided to play at the University of Cincinnati to stay closer to home. At UC, he played quarterback for legendary coach Sid Gillman. He was voted best back on offense and defense for three consecutive years. While at UC, "Magic Mike", led the Bearcats in a 16 game winning streak. A knee injury prematurely ended his pro career with the Los Angeles Rams.

He began his Football Coaching career in 1959 at Holmes as an assistant to Coach Tom Ellis. In 1962 he moved to Highlands High School as an assitant to Coach Owen Hauck, becoming head coach at Highlands in 1967. He had a 66-12-1 record over the next 7 years, including undefeated state championships in 1968 and 1970. In 1974, Mike took over as head coach at Newport High School which had only won 24 games over the previous 11 years. During the next 12 years, their record under his leadership was 88-55-1. In 1987, he coached football at Boone County High School as an assistant to his longtime friend Owen Hauck and, later, Rick Thompson. During his career, Mike won NKAC Coach of the Year honors four times and Kentucky State Coach of the Year honors in 1968 and 1970. In 1986, he was named to the Northern Kentucky Athletics Directors Hall of Fame, and in 1987, to the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the initial Covington Schools Athletic Hall of Fame and was a lifetime member of Covington Turners.

Mike taught at Holmes and Highlands, served as Director of Pupil Personnel in Newport Public Schools and served on the Board of Directors at Brighton Center and Highland Country Club.

Besides football, Mike's other passion was golf. He and Kay traveled the country playing various courses. Mike and Kay were long time members of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Fort Thomas, KY.

 

A Visitation will take place on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 10:00 A.M. until the Funeral Service at 1:00 P.M. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 3 Chalfonte Place, Fort Thomas, KY 41075. Interment: Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be sent to the Greater Cincinnati Alzheimer's Association, 644 Linn Street #1026, Cincinnati, OH 45203. Online condolences may be expressed on Facebook or at Connley Brothers Funeral Home

tiger32

tiger32

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I was lucky to be his mailman for a few years, as I was with Owen Hauck also. Coach was always good to me, and he had some good Newport teams (David Simpson) when we battled back in the day. RIP Coach.

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