"We are the League" Feature Series: Meet Julie Murphy

Editor's Note: Welcome to "We are the League," a new feature series that recognizes the work, dedication and enthusiasm of individuals who are essential in making opportunities within the Minnesota State High School League a truly great experience for all. During this series, you will meet an incredible array of individuals who will share their journeys through education-based activities. The League hopes you enjoy this recognition series.

Current role and career path

• I am currently the Associate Director of Student Activities at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud. As a sophomore at the College of St. Benedict, I answered a newspaper ad for a middle school volleyball coach in 1999, and so began my career at Cathedral. Besides coaching volleyball, I also coached high school softball for 18 years and was the Activities Assistant and Middle School Athletic Coordinator before moving into my new role as the Associate Director of Student Activities over this past summer as I began my 22nd year at Cathedral.   

Favorite high school memories

• Section finals - for any sport – begin my favorite memories.  Athletes from both schools are so close to a season goal,and they fight hard in that final game to get their state ticket punched.  One of my favorites was our 2018 section Volleyball final.  It was Cathedral vs. Sauk Centre – all five sets - with the last set going 16-14.  The gym was electric – you could feel the energy from the floor as the game battled back and forth all night, and in the end, the Crusaders raised the coveted section championship trophy. 

Why I enjoy covering high school activities

• I enjoy being involved in high school activities because I get to see “what else” students are awesome at. That boy who just turned in his math test is also a super-talented hockey captain who rallies his team together before the big game; that girl who gave a speech on health careers is also the first one off the bench to cheer on her teammates, or, the student artist who created a school mural also belted out a chilling rendition of the National Anthem at the football game . . . and I get a front-row seat to all of this. I know “what else” they work hard and excel at. The wins are great, the state tournaments are awesome, but watching these students learn life lessons through the things they choose to do after the bell rings as they grow into pretty amazing people – that’s what gives me that lump-in-the-throat feeling . . . that is the good stuff.