Community Corner

Philly Sports Stars Align For Roast of 'Big Daddy' Murphy

Banquet at Keenan's Valley View honors long-time ref, volunteer, family man, bar owner Bill Murphy.

A who's-who of local sports figures converged on Keenan's Valley View Inn last night, as famed coaches, referees and sportscasters gladly took a backseat to honor local legend Bill "Big Daddy" Murphy.

After years of pleasantly giving it to all comers, the local high school basketball referee, bar owner, volunteer and family man got it given right back to him in the roast of Bill Murphy.

"Big Daddy once asked his wife how many good referees she thinks there are in the Public League," roast master and former La Salle University basketball coach Speedy Morris said. "She replied, 'One less than you think.'"

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With a packed house at the Roxborough restaurant and banquet hall, all were set to honor and poke fun at Murphy. Morris led five roasters who alternately tore in and paid homage to the local icon.

Murphy made his mark in Roxborough and the city as a whole in a long-time career as a high school basketball referee. His time there and involvement with local bars—like Murphy's Tavern—put him in fine company with high school, collegiate, and professional coaches, players and referees. Additionally, Murphy was fixture with St. John the Baptist Church, Bob's Diner, and the Roxborough Lions, where he served as president.

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Many roasters also referenced his 57-year marriage to wife, Joan, and the couple's four children—all girls—and eight grandchildren.

A St. Joe's Prep grad—where Morris joked he spent four great years, two in ninth grade, two in 10th grade—Murphy sat sportingly with his arms crossed donning a fresh St. Joe's cap while roasters poked fun at his age, virility, attractiveness, refereeing skills, and so on.

Morris presided and colorfully introduced Murphy's friends/tormentors: restaurant owner Bill Keenan, NBA referee Steve Javie, former FOX29 sports anchor Don Tollefson and comedian (and Speedy's son) Chris Morris.

Keenan ran through famous Big Daddy one liners, like "You're getting worser" or "May God have Murphy on you." Javie teased Murphy about his humble origins, "When you were born, your mother said you were a treasure. And your dad said, 'Yeah, let's bury him out back."

The Morris men—who perform as a comedy duo—collectively led the irreverent joke charge (some less printable than others), but like all their peers, saved a piece of genuine sentiment for the end.

"If everyone on this Earth was like Big Daddy it would be a fun, happy place to be," Chris Morris said. "I've never seen him without a smile on his face."

Tollefson, who several people referred to as Murphy's adopted son, told the story of how he and Murphy met 36 years ago... and how Murphy always regaled it wrong. He also teased Murphy for putting ice in his beer and wine. In closing, he talked about Big Daddy's legacy.

"Bill Murphy impacted a lot of lives in a lot of positive ways for a long, long time... With every person he's ever met, Bill has put you first above himself," he said.

Although not a roaster (he claimed he'd make others look too bad), University of the Sciences head mens basketball coach Dave Pauley called Murphy a "clock builder, not a clock watcher...

"Big Daddy is what service is all about—to his community, family and to people everywhere," he said.

Pauley also credited Murphy's involvement with the Markward Award, given weekly to high school basketball players.

Philadelphia University women's basketball coach and athletic director Tom Shirley and Temple University athletic director Bill Bradshaw also attended the roast to honor Murphy.

Concluding the night, Murphy got his say. Although he put some barbs in, he mostly expressed appreciation for the time and effort into the celebration.

"I won't be able to get to bed tonight because I'll be thinking of all the people who came out here for me... This is the best thing that's happened to Bill Murphy in my career besides my family and my wife," he said.

Given a plaque (dated last year as events where pushed around), Murphy was serenaded by a chorus of whistles to the close the evening in honor of the longtime referee.


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