Passing the pin: generations of Newman’s legacy bowlers

Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and the positive impact Newman’s bowling coach Billy Murphy has on his players’ lives.

Murphy jump-started Newman’s bowling program in 2002-03 and built a 17-person roster in his first month.

Now, nearly 20 years later, two children of players from Murphy’s first recruiting class are continuing their parents’ legacy on the team.

“The students I originally recruited weren’t 18- and 19-year-olds. They had full-time jobs,” Murphy said. “Their great work ethic is what made it all work.”

Among that first class were Krystal Royer ’05 and Justin Crumley ’06, former Wichita State University students who met through the program and eventually married. Their daughter, Paighton, is now a sophomore on the team.

“My dad actually helps coach the boys’ teams sometimes, so it’s always been in the back of my mind that I would come to Newman,” Paighton said.

Paighton isn’t the only legacy bowler on the women’s team. She is joined by Allie Gentry, a Wichita native whose father, Justin Gentry ’06,’07, also bowled on Murphy’s first team.

“It means a great deal to me,” Justin said. “I treasure the time and experiences I had at Newman and I hope Allie’s experience is every bit as good as mine, if not better.”

Justin has full confidence in the coach who once mentored him.

“Billy was patient; he let us fail when we needed to and made it a teaching moment,” he said. “He taught us how to be mentally stronger and enjoy every minute of the experience because it’s over so quickly. He’s a friend, a mentor and someone I respect.”

Murphy sees that same drive in Paighton and Allie.

“Paighton and Allie are such driven people — much like their parents, but in different areas,” Murphy said. “Paighton started her own cupcake business and does so many things outside of school and bowling. And Allie is going through the difficult nursing program while bowling, which takes up a lot of time.”

The Crumleys and Gentrys never pressured their daughters to attend Newman. But history has a funny way of repeating itself. During Krystal and Justin’s final season, baby Paighton watched her dad bowl in a national championship match.

“It is pretty darn cool that that young person is in our program now,” Murphy said.

In his 22 seasons as head coach, Murphy has led the Jets to 19 consecutive postseasons and built a strong recruiting network, even drawing a pipeline of athletes from Hawaii. Several former players have also returned to assist with coaching efforts, evidence of Murphy’s indelible mark on his teams.

“It’s been a good career,” Murphy said. “I didn’t build this thing alone. It was a combination of our vision and our student-athletes carrying out that vision.”