Murphy Joins UWM Women's Basketball Staff

Sept. 24, 2004

Murphy, a native of Macomb, Ill., brings seven years of college basketball coaching experience to UWM, including three seasons as a head coach.

"We are thrilled with the addition of Jennifer Murphy to our staff," Botham said. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position as well as a genuine passion for the game."

Murphy, who comes to Milwaukee following two years as head softball coach at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill., spent two seasons as the top assistant at Division I Winthrop University from 1999 to 2001. During her time at Winthrop Murphy helped recruitt the Alabama High School Player of the Year while serving as the lead recruiter.

A graduate of MacMurray College, Murphy served as the head women's basketball coach and senior women's administrator at Tuskegee University from 1997-1999. Under Murphy's direction Tuskegee was named the Turn-Around Team of the Year in 1997-98 while posting the program's best record since 1991. During her two seasons Tuskegee produced four All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference players while finishing second in 1997-98.

From 1996-97 Murphy served as the head women's basketball and softball coach as well as an instructor in Kinesiology and Health at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois. In addition, Murphy earned her Master's of Education from Georgia College and State University in 1996 after serving as a graduate assistant coach from 1994-1996. At GCSU Murphy was involved with all aspects of coaching including individual workouts, practice management, recruiting, and scheduling.

"I am very excited to be a part of the Panther women's basketball program," Murphy said. "Coach Botham and her staff are such a positive asset to the university and I'm looking forward to not only being addition, but learning from them as well."

In addition to Murphy, Botham's staff includes third-year assistants Joe Conroy and Lea Robinson as well as Director of Basketball Operations Jen Greger. Botham is entering her ninth season at UWM where she has compiled a129-96 overall record.