SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. -- Mount Holyoke College graduate Cara Murphy '14 has been promoted to head coach of the Lyons rowing team, announced Thursday by Director of Athletics Jodi Canfield.
A former standout rower as a Mount Holyoke student-athlete, Murphy has served as assistant coach for the program, as well as the department's equipment manager, since 2018, with the recently departed Seth Hussey as head coach. Hussey stepped away at the end of the fall season to pursue other opportunities.
"Cara's experience and dedication to the program and the department are without question," said Canfield. "It was this reciprocal love and appreciation for the college and the rowing program that led to this outcome, out of an exceptionally strong pool of candidates."
Prior to her return to Mount Holyoke, Murphy served as head novice coach at Colgate University for two years. From 2014 to 2016, Murphy was assistant coach at Smith College while earning her Master of Science in Sports and Exercise Studies degree there.
During Hussey and Murphy's time leading the program, team membership and competitiveness have seen significant gains. Murphy is determined to continue the program on its current trajectory.
"It is evident to anyone who has spent time with the members of the MHC rowing team recently that we have built a really special team culture, and continuing to nurture that inclusive, supportive environment is one of my major goals," said Murphy. "The team is also eager to continue to get faster, and I look forward to increasing our competitive presence within Division III rowing."
As a student-athlete at Mount Holyoke originally hailing from Shaker Heights, Ohio, Murphy was an All-NEWMAC honoree and a three-time NEWMAC Academic All-Conference selection while majoring in psychology.
"I'd like to thank Jodi Canfield, the search committee and the student-athletes for the opportunity to lead this program that is so close to my heart," said Murphy. "I like to summarize that the mission of MHC is to prepare students to go out and conquer the world, whatever that means to them. Out of all the incredible things I experienced as a student, it was the rowing team that best prepared me for life, not just my chosen career. I'm looking forward to continuing to be part of the community we have here at the College and our Athletics family, as well as working with our curious, passionate student-athletes."
Following their last regatta, at Head of the Charles in October, Mount Holyoke rowing next competes March 16 against Purdue University in Clemson, S.C., on the Lyons' annual training trip.
