Over the past 12 years, Dan Murphy has had a one-of-a-kind experience with the NFL. As a part of the Cleveland Browns organization, he has had the opportunity to work with 9 head coaches, 21 starting quarterbacks, and 17 first-round picks. Murphy works with the Browns as their director of football communications, a position he finds rewarding as he can help players develop and understand the importance of their public image.

While at Hiram, Murphy majored in communication. He learned from his professors in the classroom as well from his coaches on the field and the College’s sports information director in the Athletics Department. “I was able to gain experience in the Athletics Department, see the different functions, and learn what aspect was the best path for me,” he says. As a student worker for the sports information director, he could see how an athletics program operated behind the scenes and, as a student athlete, see how that impacted the players’ experience on the team.

After graduation, Murphy went on to earn his master’s in sport management from Eastern Michigan University and worked as a graduate assistant in their Sports Information Department. In 2008, he joined the Cleveland Browns as a communications intern and later moved into a full-time staff position with the team. Now, as the director of football communications, he handles the day-to-day communication strategy and media operations for the team. Each day can be different than the last, depending on the team’s latest game, player injuries, or upcoming media events. Thanks to the time he spent in and out of the classroom while pursuing his bachelor’s, Murphy is able to adapt to new challenges. “Gain experience while at school,” advises Murphy. “My professors at Hiram helped open the doors for me to gain valuable experience while I was earning my degree.”