Murphy was the most outstanding fencer in school history, earning four varsity letters during his career. As a junior, he was the Corsairs' team captain with a 20-4 record, finishing third in the New England Championship. As team captain during his senior year, he was 19-2 and led SMU to a third-place finish in the New England Intercollegiate Fencing Championship. Competing against fencers from all three NCAA division, he finished 19th in the NCAA National Fencing Championships (foil) in 1983. During his four-year fencing career at SMU, Murphy won 63 matches.