Megan Murphy, psychology senior, was named the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week on Jan. 23.

This is the third time Murphy has received the Player of the Week award this season.

Murphy said she feels honored to have received this award.

“I think it’s really awesome that they’re recognizing me and my accomplishments this year,” Murphy said.

Murphy said she started playing sports when she was only 3 years old.

“My dad and brother were really active and played sports,” Murphy said, “so they got me into it. It was love ever since then.”

Murphy said basketball has taught her discipline, time management, commitment, hard work ethic and how to be a team player and work well with others.

She said she thinks it has made her more outgoing because she has met a lot of people through sports and had to get over being shy.

“Basketball means the world to me,” Murphy said. “I really don’t know how my life would be without it.”

Murphy said she is inspired by her parents and her idol, Larry Bird.

She said her parents are inspiring because they both grew up with some hardships in their lives but have always overcome them by working hard and being good people.

Larry Bird is a professional basketball player who grew up in a poor family but had a determination to play basketball and became one of the best basketball players in history.

“I have an obsession with Larry Bird,” Murphy said.

Murphy said her parents have only missed two games this season.

“My parents and grandparents won’t miss a game,” Murphy said. “They’re my biggest support group.”

Murphy said IU Southeast has helped her learn diversity.

“There are a lot of diverse people here,” Murphy said. “It has helped me learn how to react toward people, communicate and be more outgoing.”

Murphy is minoring in physical education and said she wants to work with children in the future.

“I might work at a YMCA,” Murphy said. “I want to do something recreational, not sit behind a desk all day.”

Murphy said she likes the outdoors and enjoys hunting and fishing.

“I’m kind of a country girl,” Murphy said.

When she is not playing basketball, she said she is doing various activities with her friends.

“I’ll try to go to the mall, shop, see movies, go bowling,” Murphy said. “I do as many activities as I can.”

Murphy is from Bloomington, and she said she chose IU Southeast because it is far enough away from home to be a getaway, but still close enough to visit home.

Murphy said she tries to go home to visit her family whenever she has time.

Cathy Murphy, Megan Murphy’s mother, said her daughter never brags about her achievements. She will say positive things about her teammates, but never mention herself.

Cathy Murphy said basketball is a team sport and that is how Megan Murphy views it.

“Megan’s biggest strength as an athlete comes from her determination and spirit to do things well,” Cathy Murphy said.

Megan Murphy said she encountered a turning point in her life when she lost 70 pounds.

She said she decided to lose weight because players from opposing basketball teams were calling her rude names and discriminating against her because of her weight.

After this happened a few times, she decided to do something about it.

“That’s what made me motivated,” Megan Murphy said. “Then, the weight started coming off and I just stuck with it.”

Megan Murphy said she is sad the season is ending soon. However, she said this group of women has been her favorite out of her four years playing for IU Southeast.

“We just get along so well,” Megan Murphy said. “Everyone is nice and fun.”

By AYSIA HOGLE

Staff

ahogle@umail.iu.edu