Ronan Murphy
Des Moines, Iowa
Class of 2025
Why did you choose Central?
I chose to transfer to Central going into my junior year because it offered me a similar experience to my former college: small class sizes, student-centered learning, and strong athletics teams and facilities, but it differed in that it became a more affordable option that was also close to home for me. I also already knew many people who attended Central prior to transferring, making the transition process from a social standpoint that much easier for me.
Favorite professor and why?
Professor Fyfe. Other than the fact he was the first professor I met on campus last year, he offers a humorous approach to teaching, and he truly cares about each student in his classes learning the material he teaches. Whether it be algorithms, software design, cybersecurity, or anything else, Fyfe wants you to leave his class having learned something new, and that’s probably the best thing you can ask of a professor.
You’re majoring in computer science because?
I enjoy the problem solving and application aspect of Computer Science. I’ve never really been the type of person to complete something not up to standard, even if it passes as acceptable. I enjoy looking for ways to improve and change certain pieces of code around to become more efficient, or to modify broken code to work in a different way than previously envisioned. I believe this desire to constantly improve my work can only benefit me going forward into a career both in athletics and in computer science.
Besides athletics, what else are you involved in on campus?
It’s a bit embarrassing to say that soccer is my only involvement on campus outside of class. I wasn’t looking to really branch out into clubs or groups outside of class until I had truly settled into Central, which I can say I have after a solid year, so maybe during my senior year I’ll be on the lookout for activities.
Who are your go-to musical artists?
It really depends on the mood I'm in. For pre-match, I lean towards rappers like Big X, Gunna, Central Cee, and Dave, but if I'm relaxed, I prefer bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Led Zeppelin, and The Grateful Dead
How has attending Central and playing a sport impacted your life?
Being a student-athlete taught me a few lessons that I know will be valuable going forward: TIme-management and Priority-Setting, which essentially go hand and hand. I learned to plan my days around training and matches/travel days, deciding what assignments and projects needed to be done, and the best order to complete them. Being able to effectively manage my days made the year much more enjoyable not only socially but athletically as well, as I wasn’t bogged down by classwork consistently.
What is your favorite professional soccer team?
The finest team in Scotland, the Celtic Football Club. COYBIG
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Surprisingly I only have four pairs, not counting my soccer boots: My favorite is a pair of New Balance 550’s, but I also have a pair of Ultraboost’s for running, some NMD R1’s for leisure, and a pair of Dunks.
What was your favorite movie/show as a kid?
Treasure Planet. An older animated Disney film from 2002. If you know, you know.
Most embarrassing moment in your athletic career?
Most embarrassing? Probably splitting my head open when I collided with a goalpost trying to save a shot. I needed 7 staples to fix it up completely and it left a decent scar on my head. The only positive to this was that I made the save. As the saying goes,
“anything for the 3 points.” And yes, I’ve learned my lesson about hitting posts since then, at least I think so.
Favorite TV Show
Currently a toss-up between One Piece and Vinland Saga, two incredible adventures to embark on. If you have the time, I can’t recommend either of them enough. A couple other favorites of mine include Jujutsu Kaisen, Cowboy Bebop, and Samurai Champloo.
What’s it like to play for Coach Laidlaw?
As any collegiate coach would, Coach Laidlaw expects a lot out of us not only as soccer players but as people too. He expects us to hold each other accountable but also to build each other up, both on the field and in the classroom. Despite this, he’s maintained a familial tone towards all of us that treats us with the same respect we treat him with.
What’s your favorite part about being a member of Central’s men’s soccer team?
The togetherness of the squad and the equal desire to win that each of us hold. From preseason to November, it feels like I do everything with my guys, whether it be training at the field, eating at the market, or just relaxing. I feel a unique connection to each of them that makes our team truly feel like a family. I know just about every other athlete would say the same thing about their teammates, but I do feel I’ve made friends and brothers that will last for much longer than just the duration of my college career.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
Most importantly, I hope to continue playing the sport I love, whether that be semi-pro or amateur. If I can continue to play, I’d be happy. I also hope to be working for some tech firm or studio, either in a cybersecurity position or as a software engineer. I could really go either way.
Favorite food from Central Market
If you know me, you know I’m incredibly picky about my food. The common answer will be Brisket Quesadillas or CTO Mongolian, but for me the breakfast food on weekdays is underrated.
Bucket list
In all honesty, I’ve never really thought about a bucket list. Here’s three things I came up with:
- Visit Celtic Park for a Champion’s League night or a Glasgow Derby
- Visit every U.S state on a marathon vacation (only been to ~½ of them). Why? Why not.
- Bungee Jumping or Scuba Diving? Again, why not.
