In reviewing the history of any athletic program, special individuals present themselves as being especially important in the growth and development of that program. So it is with Danny Murphree and Wayland Baptist University’s track and field program.
    Following graduation from Friona High school in 1965, Murphree brought his considerable talents to Coach Bill Hardage’s Fledgling track and field program in Plainview. During Murphrees four collegiate years, Wayland began to carve what has become a significant niche in the world of American small college track and field.
     Murphree was Wayland’s Most Valuable Track Athlete all four years and team captain as a sophomore, junior and senior. A talented sprinter, Murphree posted 61 first place finishes, 24 seconds and 15 thirds in sprints and relays and Wayland teams won NAIA District 8 team championships in 1966 and 1967.
     He also competed in the NAIA National Track and Field Championships five times and was Wayland’s first track and field All-American as a third-place finisher in the 440-yard dash at the 1969national indoor meet. Murphree was a member of Wayland’s sixth-place mile relay teams in 1967 and 1968 and finished fifth outdoors in the 400-meter event in 1968.
    Murphree still holds Wayland school records of 47.2 in the 440-yard dash and 21.2 in the 220-yard dash.
    Also active in campus life, Murphree was president of Athletes for Christ, junior class president, Spinning Well, campus favorite, and member of Phi Beta Lambda. He graduated with a bachelor of schience degree in health and physical education in 1969 and went on to complete a master of science degree at Texas Tech in 1973.
    Currently director of farm management and auxiliary services at Wayland, Murphree has coached in Floydada, served as interim track coach at Wayland, assisted former Flying Queens Coach Dean Weese, and farmed near Friona during his career. He was director of sales and services at Wayland in 1973-74 and, after farming from 1975-1987, returned to the university as director of student accounts in 1988. He has been recognized by his peers as recipient of the Roy C. McClung Service Award in 1993 and the Administrative Staff Award in 1994.
    Murphree is active as a deacon in First Baptist Church. He and wife Linda, a 1971 Wayland graduate, have two sons, David Wayne, and Trent Allen.