Marion County, Florida – Robert Michael Murphy, 54, the former director of sports medicine at North Carolina State University, was arrested Thursday night on out‑of‑state fugitive warrants issued by North Carolina. He is being held on 23 felony sexual battery counts and 9 felony sexual contact counts.
Allegations from former athletes
A civil lawsuit filed in state court lists more than 30 former Wolfpack athletes who allege Murphy repeatedly touched their genitals during treatments that did not medically require such contact. Most of the complainants are identified only as John Doe, but the lawsuit also names several current and former athletics department staff members for alleged negligence.
Legal background
According to the complaint, the first lawsuits were filed in 2023, with earlier complaints dating back to 2022. The case has grown to include 31 athletes, and lawyers for the plaintiffs say many more may come forward. Murphy resigned from his position in June 2022 after being suspended in January of that year. He served as NC State’s director of sports medicine from January 2012 until his resignation.
Arrest and pending extradition
WRAL reports that a grand jury indicted Murphy on the sexual‑battery and sexual‑contact charges on Sept. 14, but the charges were not made public until authorities located him in Florida. He now faces extradition proceedings to return to North Carolina, though a specific timeline has not been provided.
Institutional response
NC State University has not issued a new statement beyond confirming Murphy’s resignation and suspension. The athletics department’s legal team declined to comment on the ongoing civil litigation.
Community impact
The allegations have sparked concern among current student‑athletes and alumni, prompting calls for stronger oversight of medical staff in collegiate athletics. Advocacy groups for survivors of sexual abuse have highlighted the case as an example of the need for clearer reporting mechanisms and stricter safeguards within university sports programs.
As the legal process moves forward, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the alleged victims while the university reviews its policies to protect student‑athletes from future misconduct.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
