Lara Murphy on her calling to construction and soccer stadiums

For this week’s MVP, we’re chatting with Lara Murphy.

How fitting that Lara Murphy, the woman tasked with building Alberta’s first professional women’s soccer team, Calgary Wild, from the ground up, is also CEO of Ryan Murphy Construction, the only female-owned construction company in Calgary. At her childhood home in New Brunswick, the soccer-playing entrepreneur sold her door-to-door handy(wo)man services to pay her tuition at Mount Allison University. What’s that they say about best-laid plans? They often go awry. 

Here, Murphy reminds us to keep our plans flexible; there’s nothing wrong with circling back. Life can all come together perfectly in strange and wonderful ways. 

How did you start your business?

At 16, I started my company Handy Student Maintenance. I went door to door handing out flyers, and it helped me pay for university, where I studied history and political science. I thought I would be a lawyer and even wrote my LSAT (Law School Admission Test). My soccer coach said to me, “You know, you run these construction companies every summer and you love it—have you ever considered doing it full-time?” 

It wasn’t what my parents wanted to hear, but I took some time off and travelled Europe. Somewhere in the Alps I realized my heart was in construction. When I hung up my soccer cleats, I started to get into historical restoration. And when I moved to Calgary, my former business partner, Karen Ryan, and I started Ryan Murphy Construction.

So, you circled back to where you started. Are you still glad you went to university? 

Of course. I was fortunate to go, and it was a really great experience. I played soccer and made lifelong friends. I think everyone should have an arts degree, personally. The education gives you historical perspective and political understanding. You allow your brain to form opinions that aren’t just based on headlines. There’s no rush, and if you want to go to college too to learn a trade, you can do both. 

I’m so fascinated by people who wear two very different hats. Does that describe what you’re doing?

For sure. Most of my time now is dedicated to the soccer club, which has been ongoing for several years, but I’m still operating my construction company. The two may seem different, but they’re somewhat entwined in that one led to another. 

I was running my company when I found out about the potential professional soccer league through a board colleague. I began as a volunteer, and then when the group was looking for a home for the club, they engaged me because of my skill set and construction background. It took a year to solidify the lease at McMahon Stadium, which is where the Stampeders play in the CFL. In a few short months, I took on the role as CEO.

Was there a moment you decided this was way more than just volunteering? 

It was during a Stampede Parade, holding the Calgary Wild banner, coming around the corner down 9th Avenue. Just hearing the cheers and screams and excitement from the people watching the parade before [the team was really established], I was like, I need to do more. I still get chills thinking about it. 

Another moment was walking onto the pitch at McMahon Stadium for our home opener, with 9,000 fans. It was Mother’s Day, so we flew in all the players’ moms. They were there for our first at-home match, in a stadium that was built for men, hand in hand with the daughters that they drove to practices for years.

That’s pretty special. 

What makes Calgary Wild PC so important to you? 

We’re a new league, a new team and the first pro team of any sport for women in Calgary and in Alberta. 

The history of women’s leagues is fascinating. In England, when the men were off to war, women’s leagues started because there was a need for people to be entertained and watch sports. In 1920, there was a women’s match that drew 53,000 people and 10,000 more waited outside the gates. After the wars ended, many football associations in Europe ruled that women couldn’t play in men’s stadiums. That lasted for many, many, many years. Even now we’re still trying to rebuild and pick up those pieces. 

But we need to see [women in sport], and it’s amazing when we do: After the match, the players come out to the pitch and young kids—mostly girls—ask for their autographs. They meet a real-life hero. 

Oprah Winfrey said that the moment she saw Diana Ross on the Ed Sullivan Show—the first Black woman she ever saw on television—inspired her to know that it was possible. Particularly for underrepresented groups and children, this is so important. 

Who is your hero? 

It would be Princess Diana. I remember seeing her wearing a hard hat and safety glasses, but also at the bedside of kids with cancer and AIDS patients. At the time, I remember thinking, “What a beautiful human.” 

As for soccer, it’s Christine Sinclair. I met someone recently who coached her, and I asked him what it was like. He said, “No one coaches Christine.” Watch her eyes at the Tokyo Olympics when she’s in the zone. Perseverance and tenacity like that is another level of human.