USD Magazine Spring 2006

You could call Emma Murphy’s forehand the shot heard ‘round the world. Or at least half that distance, all the way to her native Cork, Ireland, where she learned tennis as an aside to her first love, soccer. Originally set to attend the University of the Pacific on a soccer scholar- ship, Murphy decided at the last moment to come to USD and play ten- nis. Now the senior is ranked No. 19 in the nation, and this year will look to return to the NCAA Singles Tournament, where she lasted into the second round in 2004. “ ON THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORK AND SAN DIEGO The weather. At home this time of the year, everyone has their fire on and you’re forced to wear about three sweaters. Here I’m walking around in shorts and a T-shirt with the sun shining. I much prefer the weather in San Diego! ON CRACKING THE INTERCOLLEGIATE TENNIS ASSOCIATION TOP 20 To achieve this is great, but I want to go a step further. I won’t be satisfied until I reach my goal of becoming an NCAA All-American. When you’re highly ranked everyone wants to beat you, so you need to be on top of your game for every match. ON HER COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES MAJOR I chose this major because I love to talk to people — in fact sometimes I talk a little too much! But I think it will be a great foundation for whatever I choose to be in the future. ON HER FAVORITE CAMPUS SPOT Without a doubt, the cafeteria. I think I’ve been there the most out of any student who ever attended USD, and I’m proud of that. They serve the best food, and to eat as much as you want is a bonus. I miss that when I go home. ON HER FAVORITE PASTIME In my spare time I love watching movies. I’ll go to the cinema and watch three movies in a row without a bother. I don’t get much time to go to the cinema with tennis and school, but when I do I make a day out of it. ADVANTAGE MURPHY SETTING THE COURSE FOR VICTORY [ f i r s t p e r s o n ]

BROCK SCOTT

BROCK SCOTT

[ t r i u m p h ]

FLYING HIGH The Toreros football team soared throughout the fall. The squad’s Sept. 17 victory over Yale marked the first time a Pioneer Football League team had defeated an Ivy League team. The Toreros then went on to earn a No. 1 ranking in Division I-AA, clinching the PFL North Division record with an undefeated conference mark of 4-0 and an overall record of 11-1. USD hosted the Pioneer Football League championship on Nov. 19, earning a 47-40 win over Morehead State and bringing home the university’s first- ever PFL crown. “They have set the bar for all future Torero teams,” said head coach Jim Harbaugh, “and every team from here on out will be measured by this 2005 club.”

ON THE SPORTING LIFE I was always told by coaches that I should concentrate on one sport, but I wanted to be involved in every sport — and having three brothers, soccer was a big one in our house. One thing I don’t like about tennis is that you can’t make any physical contact with your opponents. I prefer the physical sports, where you can show

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your opponents how you feel about them.

[AS TOLD TO MICHAEL R. HASKINS]

BROCK SCOTT

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SPRING 2006