Inducted October 20, 1978
Anthony Joseph (Ank) Murphy, more widely and popularly known as “Ank”, was born at St. John’s, Newfoundland, December 22, 1913. He received his early education under the tutelage of the Irish Christian Brothers attending St. Patrick’s Hall School on Queen’s Road from 1920 until 1929.
His personality, enthusiasm, good humor and dedication contributed to his success in the business world where he was mostly involved in the sales aspect of business, and these qualities were transported into the field of sport and politics.
Ank was an above average athlete participating in various sports. He excelled in basketball, playing with the Wanderers Basketball team and from 1931 to 1939 inclusive won nine consecutive league championships, representing a record of outstanding achievement. He played soccer with the B.I.S. team, which won the league championship in 1937, 1938 and 1939. He played baseball with the Cubs team, which won the championship in 1931.
Ank enjoyed a truly outstanding career in sports as an athlete; however, he achieved his greater success as a builder. He made significant contributions to the St. John’s Boy Scout Troupe, was a charter member of the Newfoundland Hiking Club, supported many local charities and organizations, especially his alma mater, the St. Patrick’s Hall School, but his most important achievement was in baseball. He is credited as being the person who almost singlehandedly reactivated baseball in St. John’s in the mid-forties and was associated with all Newfoundland baseball for many years.
He was Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly in 1970 and 1971, and has held a portfolio in the P.C. Government since it assumed power in 1972. During this political tenure, he never lost his interest in sport and could be called upon any time to be guest speaker or to render any number of services to the sporting fraternity.
He is undoubtedly and eminently qualified for induction into the Newfoundland Sports Hall of Fame as a builder.
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