INDIANAPOLIS - On May 20, former IUPUI cross country and track student-athlete Robert Murphy will be inducted into the IUPUI Hall of Fame along with five other members of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class. Murphy (2015-17) became the program's first-ever NCAA National qualifier in outdoor track, doing so in the 3,000m steeplechase before later being named an honorable mention All-American.

He was a six-time All-Summit Leaguer in cross country and track, including winning the individual cross-country title his senior year. During his junior year, Murphy was league champion in the mile and 3K during the indoor season and 1,500m and 3K steeple during outdoor season. He followed up as the league runner-up in the 3K his senior year and then repeated as steeple champion.
 
In hindsight, Murphy is thankful for his time at IUPUI where he had the opportunity to realize his potential, compete at a high level and leave a positive impact on the men's cross-country and track programs.

Sarah Lounsbury: What does it mean for you to be inducted into the IUPUI Hall of Fame?
Murphy: It's quite an honor. When I went to Vincennes my first two years, I was quite the standout athlete at the time. Going from a junior college to a regular college and being inducted? Never would have guessed. I hope I really inspire others.
 
SL: What are you up to now?
RM: I'm currently working full-time as a custodian at my old high school, Warsaw Community H.S. Not a particularly high-end job for a college graduate, but while I was a part-time time custodian, I helped out with some paid and volunteer assistant coaching to runners. As of now, I'm an elite runner for Three Rivers Running Co. on top of my full-time job and plan on running elite for as long as possible.
 
SL: What's your proudest accomplishment from your time at IUPUI?
RM: That would quite easily have to be making NCAA Track Nationals in the 3000m Steeplechase. Also, as a team my first year, we won the Indiana Intercollegiate invite beating IU and Purdue in the process.
 
SL: What is one of your favorite memories that stand out to you from your time as an IUPUI student-athlete?
RM: The traveling to out-of-state meets, the people and the places to name my top few. One memory in particular was getting yearly back-to-back wins at the conference cross country meet. I may not have helped get the first victory (since I was at Vincennes at the time), but I certainly made an impact the year after.

SL: What is one of the best pieces of advice you would like future athletes to know?
RM: When it comes to running in particular, try not to feel like you have to succeed in every race. Work hard at practice and the race will take care of itself. I never planned on doing anything special in college, yet it happened thanks to only one thing: dedication.
 
SL: What do you hope your legacy is at IUPUI?
RM: That I can show people, no matter who they are, they can succeed in a simple non-contact sport like running as long as you keep moving your legs.