SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Mount Holyoke College Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks has announced the hiring of Cara Murphy as the assistant coach for the rowing program and second-year head coach, Seth Hussey. Murphy is a former four-year standout and captain for Mount Holyoke rowing.
"I am excited to welcome Cara back home." said Hendricks. "As a former Lyons rower and captain, she understands the history, traditions, and high expectations for our program. The valuable experience she brings will support the overall competitive experience for our student-athletes."
"I am thrilled to be back at Mount Holyoke and to be stepping into my new role as a member of the MHC Rowing program," said Murphy. "I look forward to working alongside Seth to help realize our shared vision of building MHC into one of the top DIII rowing programs and supporting the academic, personal and athletic development of our amazing student-athletes along the way."
Murphy returns to Mount Holyoke after serving as the head novice coach at Division I Colgate University since 2016. During her tenure with the Raiders, she was responsible for on-campus recruiting, developing and implementing training plans, while also overseeing the transition of novices into life as a Division 1 student-athlete. Among her successes were seven medal-winning finishes by her novice crews, including winning the 2017 Kerr Cup Novice 8 race.
In addition, Murphy has also served as the head of sculling at Hosmer Point Camp since 2015. Among her responsibilities in that role included developing curricula for sculling programs for youths ages 9-16, whose abilities ranged from novice to competitive racing.
Prior to Colgate, Murphy served as the assistant coach at nearby Smith College, where she aided the head coach with lineups, travel arrangements and fundraising. She also coached the team's third and fourth varsity boats, while performing a majority of rigging and maintenance on various rowing equipment.
During her Mount Holyoke career, Murphy was a three-year NEWMAC Academic All-Conference selection. She was an All-Conference honoree as a junior. Additionally, Murphy was a Seven Sisters Scholar-Athlete, named to multiple ECAC/NIRC All-Academic Teams, as well as a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete. She also served as the team manager for the Lyons swimming and diving team for two seasons.
A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Murphy graduated with a B.A. in Psychology in from Mount Holyoke in 2014. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Sports and Exercise Studies from Smith College in 2016.
