South grad inducted into Oswego State College Athletic Hall

Laurie Irving Murphy

Laurie Irving Murphy, a 1979 graduate of Williamsville South High School, was inducted last October into the Oswego State College Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

Murphy was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Oswego diving program.

A rookie MVP in 1980, Murphy was a four-time state and a two-time national qualifier. At the state championships, she placed first on the 3-meter and second on the 1-meter in 1980, took second on both boards in 1981 and earned second on the 3-meter in 1983. At Nationals, she took 16th on the 3-meter board in 1980 and 13th in 1981. Her school record of 279.3 set in 1982 on the 3-meter board is still standing.

Following her graduation from Oswego with a degree in public justice, Murphy attended the University of Dayton School of Law. She has been practicing law since 1986 and is a partner in the law firm of James A. Whittaker LLC, in Fairfield, Ohio. Her practice is limited to general civil matters and claimant workers' compensation law.

In addition to her family and work, Murphy's recreational and community activities include fundraising for Cincinnati Children's Hospital and her parish, Nativity of Our Lord; singing in two bands, the Nativity CODE and the Grateful Dads; and performing with a community theater group, the Nativity Players. She is also involved in doing choreography for Mount Notre Dame High School Theater program.

Mrs. Murphy is married to Joseph Murphy III, also formerly of Williamsville and a graduate of South and Oswego, where he played ice hockey. They live in Cincinnati, Ohio, with their three children - Patrick, Erin and Ryan.

Murphy lettered all four years in diving at South before attending Oswego.