This is a feature profile story on former University of Nebraska Omaha pitcher Sam Murphy. The reason I produced this story was due to Murphy’s interesting background in baseball and in sports. After his collegiate career at UNO Murphy went on to pitch professionally for the Feldrich Cardinals of the Australian Baseball Federation. In his time away from the pitchers mound Murphy involved himself as social media sports intern for sporting events such as March Madness, The College World Series and the College Football National Championship Game. The result of this story was it was published in the CommUNO magazine.
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OMAHA, Neb. —Sam Murphy’s life has always revolved around sports.
As a child, Murphy’s parents signed him up for whatever sport was in season.
“Eventually, they must’ve figured out baseball was king for me,” Murphy said.
Growing up in Lake Worth, Florida, Murphy’s family moved around the country for their jobs, giving Murphy the opportunity for adventures.
Murphy said growing up his family took what they called a “baseball road trip” every summer to visit different Major League Baseball stadiums across the country. To date, Murphy has visited 27 of the 30 MLB stadiums.
Murphy lettered in baseball all four years at Summit Christian High School in Florida as a pitcher and position player. He was also the public address announcer for the Summit Christian basketball teams, where Murphy said he began to have an interest in sportscasting.
In high school, Murphy would record himself calling games and listen to his recordings. He said the process helped him prepare for a career in sportscasting.
After graduating valedictorian of his class in 2012, Murphy attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Murphy said experiencing college outside of Florida and playing baseball close to family, while studying in a good broadcasting and journalism program prompted him to become a Maverick. Murphy was team captain as a left-handed pitcher and first baseman for the UNO baseball team and received multiple Summit League academic awards during his career.
Off the diamond, Murphy was a play-by-play announcer and anchor for Mav Radio, interned with the UNO Athletic Department, and hosted a radio show called “Murph in the Morning.”
“It was all good for my experience,” Murphy said. “The possibilities were endless.”
Murphy graduated from UNO with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism in 2016, and a bachelor’s in general administration in 2017.
However, following his baseball career at UNO, Murphy said he wanted to play baseball and experience the world.
UNO head baseball coach Evan Porter encouraged Murphy to play overseas after his collegiate career. Murphy said playing baseball internationally was always on his mind and eventually an opportunity arose for him to play in Austria.
Murphy along with other former UNO baseball players are ambassadors for the Feldkirch Cardinals of the Austrian Baseball Federation.
As an ambassador, Murphy coaches 7 to 16 year-olds teaching them baseball fundamentals. Murphy also participates in school projects in Austria, where teams go to local schools and cities across the country to play baseball with children.
“Our goal is to get them excited and passionate about the game,” Murphy said.
Murphy plays in Austria during the winter, but currently is in his first season as an outfielder and pitcher for the Rockingham Rams of the Baseball Western Australian League, where he plays during the summer.
“When you play baseball year-round, you’re gonna have an advantage over places that can only play during certain months,” Murphy said.
Away from the diamond, Murphy has worked sporting events as a social media intern. Murphy’s events include March Madness, the Miami Beach Bowl, The College World Series, the Olympic Swim Trials, the College Football National Semifinals and the College Football National Championship.
Murphy covered fan access, live music performances and press conferences from players and coaches on social media, before, during and after the games. Murphy also managed social media accounts for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League and the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League.
Covering sporting events and managing social media accounts Murphy said, helped him learn how to be successful in the industry and express his voice in creative ways to intrigue others.
“You have to find a way to appeal to the masses, one size doesn’t fit all,” Murphy said.
Murphy said he hopes to one day work a Super Bowl and an Olympic Games, but wants to pursue a career in sportscasting after he’s finished playing baseball.
Although Murphy’s days are jam-packed with baseball and social media, Murphy said motivation and passion are what drives him every day.
“I’m the guy who always wants to do something,” Murphy said. “I just want to be the best I can be.”
