Ronan Hall of Fame: Distinguished Alumni Dennis Murphy

Profiles of new inductees into the Ronan Hall of Fame continue with Distinguished Alumni Dennis Murphy.

Following a sports injury that ended his high school football playing career, Murphy’s desire to remain involved in sports led him to a career in sports medicine at the University of Montana.

A graduate of Ronan High School in 1970, where he was active in student government and managed the varsity football and basketball teams, Murphy enrolled at UM in the Sports Medicine program and graduated in 1975. He completed his master’s degree in athletics and physical education at the University of Arizona in 1977.

Mentored by legendary trainer Naseby Rhinehart, he succeeded Rhinehart in 1982 and became the head athletic trainer at the school for more than 30 years. Murphy continues to honor the memory of Naseby Rhinehart by administering a Facebook page titled, “Naseby and Evelyn Rhinehart Athletic Training.”

During his career at U of M, Murphy was primarily responsible for men’s sports, but also spent time with the women’s soccer and basketball programs. He worked with several distinguished coaches including Jud Heathcoat, Robin Selvig, Wayne Tinkle and Larry Krystkowiak. He also taught sports medicine classes and many of his students have worked in Montana and all over the nation.

Coach Tinkle wrote a letter of support for inclusion of Murphy in the Ronan Hall of Fame and noted, “When asked about his past and all of his accomplishments, he always mentions his upbringing in Ronan and the positive impact it had on him.”

Murphy was inducted into the Grizzly Hall of Fame in 2010 as the athletic trainer for the 1975 Montana men’s basketball team.

He continues to reside in Missoula where he remains an active EMT.