Colleen Murphy's Impact Recognized with Two Hall of Fame Inductions
10/9/2026 9:47:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., - Air Force women's swimming is proud to announce that head coach Colleen Murphy was inducted to a pair of Hall of Fames, the Grand Blanc High School Athletic Hall of Honor and the Truman State Hall of Fame.
On Saturday September 12, 2026, Murphy's 2003, 2004 and 2005 Truman State teams were inducted into the Truman State Hall of Fame in Kirksville, Mo. The induction marked another celebration of a special chapter in Murphy's coaching career and the lasting impact of those teams.
"My time at Truman State was truly special," said Murphy. "We had a team with amazing work ethic who truly came together to achieve something special."
From 2002-05, Murphy led the Bulldogs to three consecutive national titles and was selected as the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year three times. Under her leadership, Truman State established itself as a national powerhouse, combining championship-level performances with the work ethic and team culture that Murphy continues to emphasize throughout her coaching career.
"Those ladies had so much grit and determination," said Murphy. "They improved tremendously and left their mark on the NCAA. I am so proud of their accomplishments in the pool, but most importantly they have become amazing parents and people!"
During her three years as head coach, Murphy's swimmers earned 72 NCAA All-American honors, including 52 women and 20 men. Her teams set five NCAA Division II records, including one individual record and four relay records, while four swimmers earned NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. Murphy was previously inducted into the Truman State Hall of Fame as a coach in 2011.
The recognition continued in October, as Murphy was inducted into the GBHS Athletic Hall of Honor on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. On her induction, Murphy expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for selecting me to the GBHS Athletics Hall of Fame."
While competing for the Bobcats, Murphy swam backstroke and freestyle and held the school records in the 100 back, 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. As a senior team captain, Murphy helped lead GBHS to a sixth-place finish at the Michigan State Championships while earning Michigan All-State and All-American honors.
Her time at Grand Blanc not only helped shape her career as an athlete but also laid the foundation for the coach she would become.
"My time at Grand Blanc was a pivotal time in my athletic and coaching development," said Murphy. "Swimming for Coach Craig Oldham is the reason why I am a coach today; he taught me the value of relationships and how sport makes us into amazing citizens and people. I hope to impart the same wisdom on my current swimmers."
In addition to being inducted for her accomplishments as a Bobcat, Murphy was also recognized for her continued success as a collegiate swimmer and NCAA head coach. Murphy went on to swim for Oakland University (Mich.), where she was a scoring member of the 1994 NCAA Division II National Championship team that was inducted into the OU Hall of Fame in 2024. She also helped the Golden Grizzlies to runner-up finishes in 1995, 1996 and 1997. During her time at Oakland, Murphy became a five-time All-American and three-time Academic All-American.
Now in her 10th season at the helm of Air Force and 15th season overall with the program, Murphy continues to build on a coaching career defined by championship success, individual achievement and, most importantly, the relationships she has built with her swimmers.
Since taking over the Falcons, Murphy has led Air Force to 65 wins as head coach and numerous accolades, including two Mountain West champions, three MW Senior Recognition selections, 23 All-Mountain West honorees, seven CSC Academic All-District swimmers and seven CSCAA All-Academic Team awards.
From Grand Blanc to Oakland, Truman State and now Air Force, Murphy's career has been marked by success in the pool and an enduring commitment to the athletes she has coached. Her induction into the two Halls of Fame adds another milestone to a career that continues to make an impact well beyond the pool.
On Saturday September 12, 2026, Murphy's 2003, 2004 and 2005 Truman State teams were inducted into the Truman State Hall of Fame in Kirksville, Mo. The induction marked another celebration of a special chapter in Murphy's coaching career and the lasting impact of those teams.
"My time at Truman State was truly special," said Murphy. "We had a team with amazing work ethic who truly came together to achieve something special."
From 2002-05, Murphy led the Bulldogs to three consecutive national titles and was selected as the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year three times. Under her leadership, Truman State established itself as a national powerhouse, combining championship-level performances with the work ethic and team culture that Murphy continues to emphasize throughout her coaching career.
"Those ladies had so much grit and determination," said Murphy. "They improved tremendously and left their mark on the NCAA. I am so proud of their accomplishments in the pool, but most importantly they have become amazing parents and people!"
During her three years as head coach, Murphy's swimmers earned 72 NCAA All-American honors, including 52 women and 20 men. Her teams set five NCAA Division II records, including one individual record and four relay records, while four swimmers earned NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. Murphy was previously inducted into the Truman State Hall of Fame as a coach in 2011.
The recognition continued in October, as Murphy was inducted into the GBHS Athletic Hall of Honor on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. On her induction, Murphy expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for selecting me to the GBHS Athletics Hall of Fame."
While competing for the Bobcats, Murphy swam backstroke and freestyle and held the school records in the 100 back, 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. As a senior team captain, Murphy helped lead GBHS to a sixth-place finish at the Michigan State Championships while earning Michigan All-State and All-American honors.
Her time at Grand Blanc not only helped shape her career as an athlete but also laid the foundation for the coach she would become.
"My time at Grand Blanc was a pivotal time in my athletic and coaching development," said Murphy. "Swimming for Coach Craig Oldham is the reason why I am a coach today; he taught me the value of relationships and how sport makes us into amazing citizens and people. I hope to impart the same wisdom on my current swimmers."
In addition to being inducted for her accomplishments as a Bobcat, Murphy was also recognized for her continued success as a collegiate swimmer and NCAA head coach. Murphy went on to swim for Oakland University (Mich.), where she was a scoring member of the 1994 NCAA Division II National Championship team that was inducted into the OU Hall of Fame in 2024. She also helped the Golden Grizzlies to runner-up finishes in 1995, 1996 and 1997. During her time at Oakland, Murphy became a five-time All-American and three-time Academic All-American.
Now in her 10th season at the helm of Air Force and 15th season overall with the program, Murphy continues to build on a coaching career defined by championship success, individual achievement and, most importantly, the relationships she has built with her swimmers.
Since taking over the Falcons, Murphy has led Air Force to 65 wins as head coach and numerous accolades, including two Mountain West champions, three MW Senior Recognition selections, 23 All-Mountain West honorees, seven CSC Academic All-District swimmers and seven CSCAA All-Academic Team awards.
From Grand Blanc to Oakland, Truman State and now Air Force, Murphy's career has been marked by success in the pool and an enduring commitment to the athletes she has coached. Her induction into the two Halls of Fame adds another milestone to a career that continues to make an impact well beyond the pool.
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