Morehead State University Athletics

Donna Murphy, a pioneer in women’s basketball at Morehead State University and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, will be the guest on the Kentucky Educational Television’s “Connections with Renee Shaw.” Her appearance will be on KET2, Friday, June 18, at 5 p.m. and KET Sunday, June 20, at 1:30 p.m.photo-donna-murphy

Murphy, a Newport High School graduate, became Kentucky’s first Miss Basketball in 1976. She was one of only two high school athletes invited to Olympic Trials in 1975.

She played for Morehead State from 1976-80 and at the time of her graduation held most of the women’s basketball records.

Murphy is still the all-time leader in points scored and rebounds in the history of the women’s program. She is the only Lady Eagle to score more than 2,000 points (2,059) and was elected to MSU’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Her jersey is the only female jersey retired and displayed in the rafters of Johnson Arena.

She was the Ohio Valley Conference Female Athlete of the Year in 1980, OVC Player of the Year (1979-80) and was first team all conference for the 1977- 78, 78-79 and 79-80 seasons.

After college she played professional basketball in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WPBL) for the St. Louis Streak.

After her playing days, Murphy distinguished herself as a college and high school coach. She had stops at MSU, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, University of Memphis, University of Cincinnati and Asbury College.

She is a professor and counselor at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

She has captured numerous honors, including being elected to the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995; Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1989; and voted one of 50 Most Significant Kentucky Sports Figures of the Century.