Growing up in Northbrook, known as the speed skating capital of the world in the 70s, Lydia Murphy-Stephans found refuge and joy in the sport of speed skating. At age 12, Murphy-Stephans joined the Northbrook Skating Club after watching Northbrook skaters Dianne Holum and Anne Henning win gold medals at the 1972 Olympics. Just three years later, as a Glenbrook North High School sophomore, she won the National Short Track championship, followed by another championship in her senior year in 1978. Speedskating was an athletic outlet and eventually became a stepping stone to her career. While at Glenbrook North, she focused on her education in addition to her skating. And she participated in a variety of activities. In addressing the 2010 Honors and Awards Assembly audience, Murphy-Stephans said she considers herself privileged to have attended a high school that was well-funded and peppered with teachers who took pride in their work. She recalled physical education teacher Ann Fastert as funny, talented, and someone who understood the trials and tribulations of teenagers. She also recalled her English teacher, Ms. Herman, who gave her an "F" on a paper for punctuation, "leaving an indelible mark, one that has stayed with me through the years," and also taught her to develop her standard of excellence. She continued her education and speed skating while at National Louis University, where she received a B.A. in Education. She prepared for the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, where she placed 13" in the 1000-meter speed skate and was the top American finisher. She was proud of her achievement that day, despite the lack of a medal, as she recalled her coach's words, "it's not about winning; it's not about losing: it's about doing the best you can." Following the Olympics, she returned to Northwestern University, where she earned her master's degree in broadcast journalism. Although she began her career at a television station in Marquette, Michigan, it was only a short time before ABC recruited her for a job at ABC Sports in New York. She eventually became the first female Vice President in the history of ABC Sports and was responsible for creating several influential and award-winning shows featuring female athletes. After thirteen years, she joined Oxygen Media, where she designed and built their entire sports program. She is the president and co-founder of Peace Tree Inc., a media consulting and executive-producing firm. She was also named the 2006 Executive Vice President of programming and production for Madison Square Garden Media. Known in the field of broadcasting for her dedication, competitive drive, and innovative ideas, she has contributed to 22 productions and programs that have won Emmy Awards. She was inducted into the Amateur Skating Union Hall of Fame and was named one of the Women of the Year in 1996 by Women in Sports and Events. She was honored by Girls Inc. for her leadership role in the media. In 2001, she received the Women's Sports Foundation Journalism Award; in 2002, she received a Telly Award. Murphy-Stephans told her Glenbrook North audience that they will always share the common bond of Glenbrook North High School and what an important bond that is. She closed her remarks with her coach's words that she has found helpful throughout her life: "It's not about winning; it's not about losing; it's about doing the best you can." On a personal note, Lydia Murphy-Stephans lives in Nyack, New York, with her partner, Gillian, and their two children.