The "Friends of 44" Donna Murphy

 

About Donna Murphy:

 

 

Donna led Newport High School to its first and only appearance in the girls Sweet Sixteen state basketball tournament as a junior in 1975 and was awarded the Ted Sanford Award as the tournaments Most Valuable Player. A first-team All-State honoree, Donna averaged 35 points and 20 rebounds on her way to being selected Kentucky's first Miss Basketball as a senior in 1976. Donna was Captain of the first Kentucky All-Star team to face off with their Indiana counterparts in the popular Kentucky-Indiana All Star Game series. Donna accepted a basketball scholarship to Morehead State University where her retired "44" jersey now hangs and where she was twice named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year. After graduation from MSU, Donna was drafted by the Womens Basketball League, predecessor of today's WNBA, where she played for the St. Louis Streak.

 

On Saturday, January 17, 2009, our community will come together for a special event honoring one of the areas most treasured sports legends, Donna Murphy, a graduate of Newport High School and Kentucky's first Miss Basketball. You may have heard that Donna recently underwent a life-saving liver transplant and now faces a number of extreme challenges. While she is doing well, it is time for the "friends of 44" to give back to Donna as unselfishly as she has given to our community over the last 30 years.

 

As such, a Friends of 44 Reunion will be held at The Syndicate in Newport, Kentucky, on January 17, 2009, to bring together friends, neighbors, teammates, coaches, colleagues and other Donna Murphy supporters for a night of food, fun and entertainment while raising money to offset medical expenses.

 

At this time, we are seeking contributions in the form of cash donations or items for inclusion in a silent auction to be held at the event. All donations are tax deductible (EIN26-3775091). Checks should be payable to Donna Murphys Reunion Benefit and will be accepted by Fifth Third Bank, 467 Monmouth Street in Newport or collected by an event volunteer.

Please consider being part of this special night. To learn more or confirm your participation, contact Jim Cutter at (859)781-6924 or [email protected].

 

From Theoldguy:

 

All you young ladies/gentlemen who might think that Donna couldn't be much of a player since it was back "in the old...... days", well let Theoldguy tell you that Donna was a player back in those day and quite frankly there are few young ladies today that would stop her! I saw her play and she was indeed a "player on the floor" even by today's standards!

I saw Donna play in the late 70's. IMO she was, and is still the best girls high school player to come out of this area. She was so skilled.

 

I wish her the best. I hope I can come to the event.

^ Good luck

I remember watching her play at Morehead State. She was unbelievable. And I agree, she could play with anyone playing today if she were in her '70s playing form. A girl from our high school, Frances Moore, was a substitute center on the MSU team with her. She and her teammates called her "Murph". Good luck to her and success to her health. :thumb: