Beginning in 2020, the USMMA Men's Lacrosse program has named one player the Honorary Teague Murphy '02 Team Captain. Listed below are the Mariners who have worn the #3 as a Team Captain in honor of Merchant Marine Men's Lacrosse Team Captain, the late Teague Murphy '02.
 

Year - Teague Murphy '02 Captain
2020 - Nick Vinberg '20
2021 - Kyle Buser '21 (wore #5)
2022 - Jason Aiello '22
2023 - Samuel Stephenson '23
2024 - Mark Bredeck '24
2025 - Sawyer Melick '25

Player Qualities
This award goes to a Four Year Lacrosse Player who always shows commitment to the team. Showing that he can follow until it is time to lead and spent time backing up a position/player who had earned the starting job over them. Even though there is no guarantee to ever get a starting position, this player has been 100% committed to their position and role on the team.
 

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You can tell a lot about a player who is truly talented and comes away from the experience of "waiting your turn" and "being a supportive teammate" to become a stronger leader. Teague was recruited to come to Kings Point and had to wait for two years before moving into the starting position. Teague fully supported the player in front of him for two years, always pushing himself and teammates through practices and games. Even though there was no guarantee the starting job was going to be his anytime soon, he never backed off and always played like the job was his to lose. This was a quality of Teague that pushed him through
Kings Point and through his career. Teague was passionate about Kings Point, about lacrosse, and about being successful at anything he set his mind on.

Teague never settled for the easy answer. He always looked for the best answer and the right solution. If something was broken or something could be improved, Teague would dedicate himself to solving it the best way possible. He did this in the classroom, spending extra time helping classmates. He did this on the lacrosse field, always lending an extra hand to teammates. He did this throughout his career, helping younger apprentices navigate the New York waters.

Once he set his sites at becoming a Sandy Hook Pilot, he pushed himself at Military Sealift Command to go beyond his normal duties. Landing his job at Sandy Hook was a dream come true but was the beginning of his toughest test. He would need to focus on making it through the seven-year apprenticeship and accepting the extreme responsibility and professional risk that comes with being a Sandy Hook Pilot.

Teague wasn't perfect or the best. He didn't have perfect grades or scores to get into Kings Point, he never wanted to stand out as the strongest lacrosse player or smartest person in the room. But he never quit and he never failed.

            In the opening game of his Senior Year at Kings Point, Kings Point led Roanoke by one goal. Roanoke came down the field with seconds left in the clock and a wide open attack-man got the ball all alone in front of Teague. Teague's drive to always improve, to overcome any challenge, and to come out on top is what led him to be the better player at that moment and win the game for Kings Point.

Teague's greatest qualities focused around his trust and support of family and friends. Teague always had a tight circle of trusted people in his life. He was an excellent judge of character and no matter how different the person was, once you were in his circle, he would do anything to take care of you. He didn't just protect people on the lacrosse field or at Kings Point, he committed to taking care of his friends and family his entire life. Teague's care, kindness, and empathy should not be confused with sympathy. He was the one that would step away from his own views and step into your view. This was his way of getting
to understand you and your perspective. This gave Teague a special connection with people, and not only did Teague completely trust his friends and family,
they completely trusted him.

The Teague Murphy Award goes to a lacrosse player that demonstrates a dedication toward success, toward Kings Point, towards his teammates, and towards his friends and family.
 

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Passion
This player demonstrates a humble kind of confidence on the exterior but everything
inside him loves and wants to compete. This player demonstrates a strong desire to be at
Kings Point, play lacrosse, and be successful at both.

Loyalty
This player would be considered by his friends to be one of the most loyal people they
know. This player exhibits this brand of loyalty through the care of teammates - by
reaching out to care for younger players and helping teammates focus on improvement.

Dedication
This player doesn't hesitate to tackle any problem. This player has the ability to innovate,
dedicate extra time to problem solving, and commits to developing a new procedure or
process that works better. This player looks beyond his position on the field and actively
lends a hand to improving training, practice, and game day preparation.

Perseverance
This player never quits, always puts in the extra work to excel to the top. This player
seeks out all the necessary resources to be successful and never back away from a
challenge.

Empathy
Not to be confused with sympathy. This player is willing to step away from his views and
appreciate another view. This player is closely connected with teammates, steps into their
shoes, and has earned their trust and respect.