Monday, August 11, 1997

Fort Collins-- Colorado State volleyball coach Tom Hilbert today announced his coaching staff plans for the 1997 season in light of the illness surrounding assistant Debbie Murphy.

Murphy, 27, has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Colorado State under former Rams' mentor Rich Feller. She was recently diagnosed with leukemia, but is expected to make a full recovery following treatment for the illness.

In Debbie Murphy's absence from the staff during the recuperative period, Hilbert said today that her husband, Ken, will serve as an assistant on an interim basis. Debbie will return to the staff on a full-time basis when she has recovered.

"Debbie Murphy is a very important member of our staff."said Athletic Director Tom Jurich. "She has been for the past two years and will be for many to come. Even though she is ill, it is very important to our entire department that she continues to be part of our staff. What better way for that to be possible than having her husband, Ken, join our volleyball coaching staff on an interim basis until Debbie is able to return on a full-time basis."

"I am excited to have Ken Murphy join my staff."said Hilbert. "Ken has had solid club experience and can contribute to our staff on the court and in the office."

Before joining the Rams' staff Ken served as head coach of the top 17 and under Norco Juniors volleyball club in Fort Collins from 1996-97. In 1994, he was the head boy's varsity coach at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Ariz., where he also served as the assistant girl's varsity coach from 1991-94.

Murphy was also the head coach and co-founder of the Marcos de Niza boys volleyball club from 1993-94 and served as the technical director and co-founder of the Southwest Juniors Volleyball Association from 1993 through 1995.

Murphy, 29, received his bachelor of science in biology from Arizona State in 1992 followed by his master of science in botany in 1995. He is currently working on his doctorate in ecology from Colorado State.

Earlier this summer, Hilbert also hired Debbie Martin as assistant coach. Martin served in the same capacity under Hilbert at the University of Idaho during the 1996 season.

"Debbie and I work very well together."Said Hilbert. "There is a great comfort level and that is why I was so pleased she agreed to come with me to Colorado State. She is an excellent teacher on the court and a solid recruiter."

Martin is a 1996 graduate of the University of Southern California where she earned a volleyball scholarship. Her playing career was cut short by a knee injury, but she continued her involvement in Trojan volleyball by serving as an under-graduate assistant coach for three seasons earning her degree in education.

Martin was also director and coach of the Santa Monica Volleyball club for two years and was a student teacher in Inglewood, Calif.

As a high school player in St. Maries, Idaho, Martin led the St. Maries Lumberjacks to four consecutive state A-2 championships. She was named second-team All-American and was a three-time conference MVP and all-state selection.