Coach Lee Murphy has dedicated his life to growing the game of lacrosse while developing young athletes into confident leaders. A native of Baltimore, Maryland—the birthplace of modern lacrosse—Lee first picked up a stick at the age of eight and has remained passionate about the sport ever since.

Building Champions Through Leadership, Tradition, and Excellence

Following a standout collegiate career at Bowling Green State University, where he earned All-Conference honors twice as a midfielder, Lee continued playing the game he loves. Today, he still competes at the Grand Masters level, demonstrating that lacrosse truly is a lifelong sport.

A Proven Leader in Virginia Girls Lacrosse

Coach Murphy began coaching in 1997 with the Tidewater Youth Lacrosse League and quickly established himself as one of the region’s most respected educators of the game.

Since joining the Catholic High School Girls Lacrosse program in 2002, he has served in multiple leadership roles, including Varsity Assistant Coach, Junior Varsity Head Coach, and Varsity Head Coach. Under his leadership, the Crusaders have become one of the premier programs in Virginia.

His accomplishments include:

• USA Lacrosse Regional Coach of the Year (2021)
• TCIS Coach of the Year (2022)
• Five TCIS Regular Season Championships
• Four TCIS Tournament Championships
• Guided Catholic High School to its historic 2009 TCIS Championship, the school’s first conference title in any sport in eight years
• Helped develop 25 student-athletes who continued to play NCAA varsity women’s lacrosse, with many others competing at the collegiate club level

Coach Murphy’s success is measured not only in championships but also by the lasting impact he has had on the lives of the athletes he has coached.

A Family Rooted in Lacrosse

For Coach Murphy, lacrosse has always been a family affair.

He and his wife, Mary, have been married for more than four decades after meeting at a lacrosse game—a fitting beginning to a lifetime built around the sport. Together they raised four children—George, Megan, Erin, and Caitlin—who all played lacrosse at Catholic High School before continuing their careers at the collegiate level.

Erin and Caitlin were later inducted into the Catholic High School Crusader Athletic Hall of Fame, continuing the Murphy family’s legacy of excellence.

Today, Lee and Mary enjoy spending time with their ten grandchildren while remaining active supporters of the lacrosse community.

Coaching Philosophy

Coach Murphy believes the greatest victories extend beyond the scoreboard. His coaching emphasizes discipline, teamwork, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Through decades of coaching, he has helped hundreds of athletes reach their potential both on the field and in life.

His passion for teaching, developing players, and growing the sport continues to influence the next generation of Virginia lacrosse players.