By Doug Drabik, Cal Athletic Communications
Justin Murphy’s mom signed him up for a “learn how to row” class in Montclair, N.J. during his freshman year of high school at the age of 14.
Four years later as a freshman in college in 2014, Murphy was voted the Pac-12 Conference Newcomer of the Year and earned a coveted spot on the United States Under-23 National Team. He is now a key member of California’s varsity eight that enters this weekend’s Big Row against Stanford as the nation’s top-ranked crew.
“My older brother’s best friend was on a crew and his mom told my mom about it,” Murphy said. “My older brother didn’t want to do it and my mom signed me up for a learning how to row class. When I showed up to the session, the guy who taught the class was the assistant coach at a club I later rowed at, and the guy called his fellow coaches and said they had to see me. After the first time my coaches saw me, they told me I was on the team and couldn’t quit. Ever since then, I’ve rowed.”
Murphy has grown to 6-7 and is now considered one of the top rowers in the nation. After rowing in the freshman eight crew that placed second at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships last season, Murphy earned a spot in Cal’s top boat, the varsity eight this season. The varsity eight is undefeated in six races in 2015, including a victory over No. 2 Washington last week in Seattle.
“Initially, I had no idea what was going on in the boat. They just told me to row, so I rowed,” Murphy said. “In my junior year of high school we did the tryouts for the Junior National team and we made the team, and my eyes opened to the bigger rowing world - bigger than just the East Coast public high school competition circuit. After that summer I really got my act together and improved a lot.”
Murphy, who lived in Orinda, Calif. just miles from the University of California campus for four years growing up, knew everything the university had to offer. When they came in contact with him, he knew the institution would be a great place to continue his education and be part of a top rowing program.
There was another major factor in Murphy’s choice to come to Cal.
“I really like Coach [Mike] Teti; he is a legend in U.S. Rowing,” Murphy explained. “He coached the U.S. National Team and then came to Cal, and he really knows what it takes to make Olympians. When I was making my college decision, and I decided I was serious about rowing, I knew that he’s the guy to go with. I am so much stronger and I row so much better than before because of him.”
Murphy has learned a great deal from Teti’s tutelage already.
“I think he is doing a good job by pushing for success not only with the big guys, but coaching all boats,” Murphy continued. “In the fall, he spent time with everybody and tried to really build the team from the bottom up. Every week, we’re faster, and if we can keep improving, we’re in for a great finish to the season.”
As a freshman, the Golden Bear excelled in and out of the boat.
“I really fit in nicely with the team,” Murphy said. “The thing I like most about Cal is that I felt a part of the team right away. Everyone was really supportive, the older guys push me, the coaching staff pushes me. Everyone really wants me to improve not only on the water, but off it as well. We have a great support system here, from making sure I pick the right classes to guiding me in the right direction. Freshman year was a really great experience for me, and now that I am a sophomore, I am trying to give the freshmen on our team the same experience so they feel part of our family here.”
Murphy really enjoys the campus life as well, taking in everything that the university has to offer.
“I want to attend more cultural events,” Murphy explained. “I went to a play showing a new different interpretation of Macbeth and I loved it. I enjoy spending time with guys on the team, because there are so many different cultures in the group of guys. Having basic conversations and doing everyday activities with the international guys helps me learn something new about their cultures. It is fascinating.”
Back on the water, Murphy was voted the Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year by the league’s coaches.
“Coach Teti was the first person to tell me, and I was really surprised and shocked that I had won it,” Murphy said. “There are guys all across the Pac-12 that have extreme talent. It was a big honor. I am trying to live up to the reputation and perform and show that I deserved it and keep moving on - improving and use it as a stepping stone for the rest of my career.”
Following his standout freshman campaign, Murphy tried out and earned a spot on the United States crew for the World Rowing Under-23 Championships in Varese, Italy last July. One of eight Golden Bears on the men’s side competing in the prestigious regatta, he served as the stroke for the United States men’s four that placed third in its heat.
Murphy, whose father was a foreign correspondent for the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, has lived in South Africa, Poland, along with Orinda and New Jersey.
He considers New Jersey his hometown. The 2014 and 2015 IRA Championships are held on Mercer Lake in New Jersey, roughly an hour from his home in the Garden State.
“Last year was really nice because my entire family was there, even my grandparents,” Murphy said. “My old high school coach was there, a bunch of the members from my high school team came out and my old buddies from high school came, too. I had a whole support group there. I had raced on that course before, and I had a lot of really great memories there and some really bad memories there.”
Murphy’s long-term goals are to continue his rowing career with the U.S. National Team and work toward a position in the business world with his brothers. He is also interested in politics.
Before any reaching any of these goals, however, Murphy has one primary focus.
“My first goal is to win the IRA Championships this year.”
