Clare Murphy, Massachusetts – 2025
Clare Murphy has dedicated more than three decades to high school girls basketball, serving as the head coach at Fontbonne Academy in Milton, MA, for the past 27 years. Her impact on the court is undeniable, with more than 375 career wins to her name. Throughout her career, Murphy has earned prestigious recognition, including Boston Globe Coach of the Year and multiple Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Coach of the Year awards. Her longevity, consistency, and ability to build competitive and respected teams year after year highlight the excellence she has brought to the game.
Murphy’s legacy at Fontbonne Academy extends far beyond her coaching record. A proud alumna, she was a standout three-sport athlete during her high school years and has since been inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. While she excelled across all sports, soccer was her specialty, and she continued her athletic career at Stonehill College (MA). Returning to her alma mater as a coach, Murphy has brought her experience as both an elite athlete and a dedicated leader full circle, giving back to the school and community that shaped her.
What truly sets Murphy apart, however, is her unwavering commitment to leadership and mentorship. Over the years, she has positively influenced hundreds of young women, teaching lessons that extend far beyond basketball. She has served not only as a coach, but as a mentor to middle schoolers, a leader for marathon teams, and an advocate through her active role with the MBCA. In this capacity, she has been a voice for fellow coaches while also ensuring student-athletes receive recognition for both their character and hard work. Her influence is deeply felt throughout the high school coaching community, where she is respected as both a role model and a tireless advocate for girls and women in sports.
Through every team she coaches and every player she mentors, Murphy continues to build a legacy that extends well beyond wins and accolades. She has shown time and again that success is measured not just in championships, but in the lasting impact she has on the lives of her players. By advocating for the advancement of women in athletics and continually giving back to the sport she loves, Murphy has become a true trailblazer. Her induction into the New Agenda-Northeast Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition of her extraordinary career, her dedication to empowering young women, and her lifelong commitment to the growth of girls basketball.