Skip Oliver BA'67 LLD'02 and David Murphy BA'66 together on Saint Mary’s campus
From the moment they start talking, you can tell that Skip Oliver LLD'02 BA'67 and David Murphy BA'66 share a bond that runs far deeper than football. There’s the easy laughter, the way they finish each other’s sentences, and the countless stories that spill out—proof of a friendship that has endured for more than 60 years.
That bond began in 1963, when Skip arrived at Saint Mary’s University. Back then, the campus was small and the football program was still finding its footing under coach Bob Hayes.
“My first thought was, ‘What did I get myself into?’” Skip laughs. “Campus was small.”
David remembers their first meeting off the field as if it were yesterday. “So, there’s this little place called Gus’s Canteen—different food from the main cafeteria, and if you have a cheeseburger there, it just tastes better. I’m sitting there one day, and in walks Skip. He’s wearing a beautiful London Fog raincoat, umbrella over his arm, and a hat. I’m thinking, this guy has no idea what he’s walking into—he won’t last a week. So I go right over, introduce myself, get a good handshake, and a look in the eye. I think, yeah, this guy’s going to be my friend.”
Skip grins at the memory. “He had these dorky glasses on, and I thought, This guy’s kind of a geek, I feel sorry for him. But we became such good friends. He even came down to Pennsylvania to live with me for a summer.”
That summer, working long shifts in a Pennsylvania soda pop factory led to spending time together later in life, relaxing together at summer homes in St. Margaret’s Bay.
They may have been teammates, but their friendship is built on more than the camaraderie of the football field—it is rooted in shared experiences, trust, and a genuine care for each other’s lives beyond the game.
And in between the practices and studies? “Let’s just say we got into our fair share of trouble,” Skip admits with a laugh. “But we always knew—no matter what happened—we could count on the other guy to be there and bail you out. In fact, I think all that practice getting David out of jams is what made me such a good lawyer later on,” he adds with a smirk.
Their friendship extended beyond the Saint Mary’s campus. Skip built a legal career in Pennsylvania; David earned his surgical certification at NYU. They leaned on each other through demanding careers, celebrated weddings—Skip was even married at the chapel on the Saint Mary’s campus with David by his side—and kept their traditions alive, like watching 32 Super Bowls together.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without Skip’s support,” David said, and Skip agreed.
For Skip, Saint Mary’s was more than a stepping stone—it was a launchpad. “I got involved in everything—yearbook, newspaper—and earned the Varsity M, Literary M, and Gold M awards. I was even named Man of the Year,” he said proudly.
He also helped to strengthen the football program. “I invited Coach Al Keith to my hometown, and we sent eight players to Saint Mary’s. Those guys helped win the 1973 championship. I’m proud to have played a part in that,” said Skip.
David’s ties to the university run just as deep. Alongside his medical career, he coached at Saint Mary’s, served two stints on the Board of Governors, and returned twice as Athletic Director. “Saint Mary’s is at my core,” he says simply.
David and Skip met with SMU President Dr. Michael Khan during a recent campus visit
Looking back, Skip offers this advice to today’s student-athletes: “You get out of your university experience what you put into it. Put in friendship, loyalty, hard work—and you’ll carry those rewards for the rest of your life.”
David nods. “The friendships, the teamwork, the life lessons—they stay with you long after the final whistle.”
Even now, they continue to support Saint Mary’s through mentorship, attending games and supporting the university financially, with the football program at the top of their list.
To both of them, Saint Mary’s is more than where they earned their degrees and played football.
“It’s where we found family,” David said. “And that’s something worth giving back to.”
