One man’s transition from gridiron standout to lead groundskeeper has revolved around one thing: pride, the sense of accomplishment and never settling. From mowing lawns in Kansas City as a child, to taking care of the grounds for a pristine university, pride is something that has carried over throughout the years for Kwenn Murphy. He knows something about getting the job done right the first time and using the work ethic he was brought up with. The sense of pride is just a continuation of what he was taught growing up.
“Both my parents worked two jobs when I was a kid. They worked so we didn’t live in the hood, hood,” Murphy said, reminiscing about his past. “They always said to work for more. Don’t just let things pass you by and take hold of the opportunity. Don’t settle for less. I was always the guy who would cut all the yards in the neighborhood with a push mower as a kid. It was kind of destiny if you will for what I do here (grounds work for Friends University). I always strived for more.”
Upon graduating high school, Murphy attended Dodge City Community College, where he was a two-sport athlete playing baseball and football. Again, he was always wanting more in what he set out to do. While playing and attending school in Dodge City, Murphy was called by the head coach at Friends. Murphy said his future head coach called him several times and left a voicemail stating, “I’m going to keep calling you until you call me back.”
“He wanted me to play. He truly saw something in me and wanted me here. I couldn’t turn it down,” Murphy said. “I knew I wasn’t going to be able to play both sports,but being on the football field is where I was going to be.”
Focusing on football also led to focus on his studies. Attending a private university, Murphy was faced with added expenses and the normal toll of being a college student at a university. With the new challenges and new focus, Murphy came to the decision to become a student worker in the ground’s maintenance department. Although money was an important reason for the job, it tapped a part in Murphy that brought him back to mowing lawns in his youth. He enjoyed being outside and finishing a job.
“When I started doing groundwork studies, things started happening. The boss said when the student workers are better than the full-time guys, that’s when I said ‘Hey man, I kind of like that. I think I want to do this.’ You just gotta take initiative of things and if I’m going to be doing things, and I take it back to sports, I want to be the best. And if I’m not the best, I will be one of the best. Top Dawg. It’s not me being cocky or anything like that, it's confidence in what you do and your ability.”
Murphy credits his father for him being a realist and knowing that football was not going to be a “forever thing.” His father, a former high school All-American athlete himself, taught Murphy to “hit the books” and find something worth doing in life. That “something worth doing in life” has led him to spending nearly 20 years with Friends University as part of the grounds crew, in charge of nearly 40 acres of land. During that time, Murphy was introduced to another workhorse with pride, just like himself.
“Honestly, I never used Grasshopper back in Kansas City,” Murphy said. "My boss used them religiously here (Friends University). Truthfully, I like the machines. My personal mower is never in the shop that I use. Now some of them…it’s for some other reasons. Last year, we had a student-worker rip off a car bumper and I just looked and said ‘man, barely scratched the Grasshopper’ now the car on the other hand,” Murphy said laughing with his hands above his head. “And I’m pretty sure it was his first day too.”
Although Murphy wasn’t brought up using Grasshopper Mowers, he said he couldn’t go back to anything else. Some people have their preferences when it comes to vehicles, be it a Ford or a Chevrolet, with even lines drawn in the sand with loyalty, but he credits having an open mind which led him to believe in the product and the results it produces season after season. A formula of winning that Murphy knows all too well.
“The mower starts, and it does its job. Grasshoppers are good, sturdy equipment. There are others that I have used but I know Grasshopper in and out. All in all, it is just a good mower. And they got them great seats. We just recently got a new mower (900 series). It’s cake,” Murphy said. “Now when you get into the seat of a Grasshopper, there is a sense of pride that you just can’t shake. Your work is gonna get the job done right the first time. Its not gonna take a ton of time and your good to go.”
Reflecting on spending time outside, Murphy said “I like being outside unless its winter, that ain’t for me. I can’t do the whole office job. I was a front desk manager for a short period of time and it wasn’t for me. I couldn’t do the tie thing, but don’t get me twisted, for the right amount of money, I would,” he said laughing.
Murphy hasn’t put his football past completely behind him. His love of the game has led him to coach not only at Friends University but also as a coach for West Wichita High School. There he instills the same beliefs and work ethic that was passed down from his parents, shaping his young student-athletes’ minds into wanting more out of not only life, but for themselves. This brought him reminding anyone to enjoy what you do in life.
“You need to like what you are doing. I’m fortunate to do two things I love doing. I coach football and I’m a groundsman, not to be mistaken for a lawn crew, because my buddies say that and I wanna punch them all the time,” Murphy said jokingly. “I said dude, the mowing is the fun part. It’s tree trimming and hole digging, planting, that’s the stuff that separates the two. They like to send me gifs of a homeless dude pushing a mower down the street. I am not push-mowing.”
Murphy mentions Grasshopper Mowers to anyone who wants to get a job done right the first time, every time. His beliefs and pride can be seen daily on the campus of Friends University. Freshly manicured lawns, perfectly trimmed trees and hedges, It’s something that he doesn’t take for granted in the least bit. He knows some people may be on the fence when it comes to purchasing a Grasshopper but he lends his advice on the ordeal.
“Honestly, don’t look at the price tag and go with the cheaper one. You're gonna end up paying for it with repairs and maintenance. You’ll get rid of that junk and get another mower in a couple of years, if not sooner. Don’t do that. Just get a Grasshopper and be wise. I’ve been here for 20 years, and we have had no more than four Grasshoppers. They just keep running. Would it be nice if they broke down so I can get a shiny new one, hell yeah,” Murphy said laughing, “but they are a workhorse. When we are in season, I’m on that thing every day, all day. I do like Grasshopper. I do. Cute little logo, all that stuff matters to me. I like being fly. That’s why you gotta have the orange glasses, sun hits ya just right. Looking fly. I do that on a Grasshopper.”
Murphy’s constant motivation for being the best at what he does exceeded not only during his time playing football but to his current role as a ground’s keeper. Murphy has a sense of self awareness and understands that things in life are not handed to you. They must be worked on and earned. Sometimes accomplishments are recognized, and others are not. His humor allows him to enjoy his daily life. Not everyone can be like Murphy and enjoy what they do, day in and day out. He credits his decisions and how he was brought up by his working-class parents. Taught to work hard and never settle for anything less than the best. Have pride in what you do. The same is said about Grasshopper Mowers.
