By Lizzy Arrowsmith
Arrowsmith@newsroom.byu.edu
He gave up a lucrative professional snowboarding career at the age of 22. He told his sponsors he wasn't sure he would ever return to the mountain. He said goodbye to lifelong friends and family.
Jason Murphy has been described as humble, confident and one of the best riders out there. I've heard nothing but praise from his team managers, sponsors, friends, athletes and peers.
Murphy returned from serving a 2-year LDS mission in Argentina in February. But he's also back in another way -- as a respected snowboarder who has re-gained his skills and status in a very short time.
The buzz surrounding Murphy has picked up as the winter season draws near. He graces the cover of the October issue of Snowboarding magazine throwing a frontside 5 over a huge gap. The contents page lists the feature as, 'Jason Murphy -- Don't mess with a missionary man.'
Jeremy Jones, a close friend of Murphy's for the past ten years and a Forum team rider, opened the article with this statement: 'Murph grew up with a strong belief that there's more to life than life itself -- a belief of the Mormon Church, which has inspired him to do well in all things. After rebelling and distancing himself from the church for some time, he realized life wasn't the same without the support the church provides. He returned to his roots and went on his mission in Argentina. So many people thought he was crazy and throwing away a promising snowboarding career, but J told himself there's more to life.'
And thus begins the intriguing story of Jason Murphy -- local pro snowboarder who volunteered two years of his career to serve a mission, only to return with skills somehow better refined and polished than before.
I met Murphy at Milo Sport in Orem for this interview, an hour before the store premiered 3 of this fall's best snowboarding films. Murphy is incredibly genuine. My first impression was that this guy is the nicest kid I've ever met. His fiance, Becky, is as equally charming.
For a guy who never thought he'd ride again, I was surprised to learn he had strapped on a board ten days after returning from his mission.
'It was weird at first. My timing was off. I remember I was trying to go up to ollie over a little gulf and I just flipped up over onto my back.'
Murphy was first introduced to board sports through skateboarding at the age of 15 and was drawn to it immediately.
'I started skating and loved it. (At 16) I saw a picture of a guy snowboarding and had a friend who wanted to try it with me. I was stoked on it right off.'
Murphy said he wasn't a trouble-maker growing up; a stereotype typical of many youth who skate and snowboard. Most of his friends were also LDS.
When I asked if he was a partier in high school, he looked confused and quickly explained:
'Not at all. I liked school. I always got really good grades. I was pretty obedient. My parents liked me.'
At 19, Murphy was offered his first sponsorship by Ride.
His career took off from there. He began to travel often and caught the attention of more industry hot shots. He was usually on the mountain on Sundays and missed church. It was during this time that Murphy turned pro.
When asked about his decision to serve a mission in the Snowboarding article, he responded, 'I didn't feel like it was right for me and wanted to do my own thing. Then, with time, I started changing as a person and felt I needed to do that kind of a service to God, and help other people. All my life I've been taught a lot of true principles, which have really helped me become happier. So, I guess it was more of a feeling than logic, because it didn't make sense at all.'
Murphy received his Patriarchal Blessing at that time, something he told me was the last push to his decision.
'That was the thing that said to me, serve a mission.'
Four months later Murphy had told his sponsors and friends he was leaving the industry and sport, possibly for good, and had split for Argentina.
'When I left on my mission, I wasn't sure if I was ever going to snowboard again. I tried not to think about it but sometimes it would pop into my head.'
Sixteen months out Murphy's companion asked him if he would eventually return to riding professionally. He responded that he probably wouldn't and thought of pursuing an education instead.
'My companion said, 'God gave you these talents, why don't you use them?'. That made me think. I prayed about it and felt like it was okay to do as long as I did it to help build up the Lord's kingdom.'
And how is that done?
'I think one of the best things I can do is to be an example to the guys who are actually in the industry who see me, but mostly in interviews. Talking about the church, saying how much it has helped me, just giving it a really good name. I think it'll either educate a lot of people a lot more about the church so they'll be more accepting about it or inspire a lot more kids that are members.'
So Murphy's back. But is it really possible to come off twenty-four snowboard-less months and build back up to where he was when he left?
'He's had a good comeback. A complete comeback,' said Brian Harriss, Dragon's snowboard team manager.
In the past 6 months Murphy has racked up some of the most prestigious sponsors in the industry including Dragon, Analog, Hurley, Sims (??), DC (??), Jester.com and local store, Milo Sport.
He started filming his part in King Pin Production's new release, 'Destroyer', within ten days of being back in the states.
Lastly, he has gained the respect of many people.
'He's probably one of the best well-rounded riders out there. He has an ability for freestyle riding that's top notch. His video parts this year have already proved that he's lived up to and passed up everyone's expectations,' Harriss said.
Dragon looks forward to growing with Murphy as he becomes one of the most famous riders in the world, he said.
Milo Sport premiered 'Destroyer' last week at UVSC for all the local rippers who worship their local pros.
Jason Murphy's part opens as Forum rider, Jordan Mendenhall, running from the bad guy, stumbles upon him in a snow cat.
The crowd erupted in applause and catcalls, then reverence, as Murphy went big again and again.
So, what sets him apart from the other Burton and Forum pros who roamed the premiere that night?
'He's really humble. He doesn't have a big head, portray himself, or think of himself as a rockstar. If anything, he's almost embarrassed when kids ask for his autograph. He doesn't view himself in those eyes,' said Ben Pellegrino, owner of the Orem Milo Sport location.
The snowboard industry harbors a raucous lifestyle and Murphy said he doesn't always fit in.
'A lot of times when I go on trips I have to be by myself because they go to bars and parties. Sundays I go look for a church or if there isn't one I just read my scriptures. At first it was hard because I felt pressure to be around everyone, but after a while everyone gave me the respect.'
Murphy sites The Church as the most important thing in his life.
'If I put that as my priority, everything will work out.'
He also said he has a passion for progression.
'It's hard for me after my mission not to be preachy to everyone but still trying to keep the same level of morale as on the mission and to keep progressing. That's probably the biggest thing that I work on. If I do that then with everything I'll be progressing -- with school, with my wife to be, with snowboarding, with everything.'
Murphy had a scholarship to study at BYU this year but couldn't physically attend classes due to his traveling schedule.
He is currently taking internet classes from the University of Utah and plans on completing his education eventually.
Jones's statement in the Snowboarding article wraps up Jason Murphy:
'His dedication is like nobody else's. Jason's a very inspired person -- he has the spirit in his heart and it glows.'