Now in her eleventh year as Columbia’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical education, the indefatigable Dr. Murphy has guided Columbia Athletics through arguably the most transformative and successful period in its history. 

During her first 10-years, the Lions captured 26 Ivy League titles in 11 different sports, the most of any decade in Columbia Athletics history.  Several Columbia teams won their first-ever Ivy League titles, and some earned first-time NCAA at large bids and/or won their first-ever events at the NCAA Championships.  Columbians also won 128 Ivy League Individual Event Championships, the most of any comparable span in school history.

Dr. Murphy established a strategic focus on excellence in athletics, and a host of new programs and   initiatives aimed at transforming the experience of Columbia’s more than 800 student-athletes.  She spearheaded the  successfully completed $100 Million Columbia Campaign for Athletics: Achieving Excellence. Through the Campaign, Columbia truly revitalized its athletics program – with the construction of the Campbell Sports Center, and the infusion of capital throughout all programs and initiatives.  Facility transformations also included the building of of new field hockey and baseball venues, the revitalization of Christie Field House, and the resurfacing of every outdoor practice and competition venue.  Dianne established: varsity squash teams for men and women, the Leaders for Life program, providing leadership training to student-athlete representatives from all 31 varsity sports; the Athletics Hall of Fame; the Championship Performance Program; helped initiate the new Sports Management Masters Degree Program; and the Columbia-Barnard Athletic Consortium 25th Anniversary Celebration.