Providence, R.I.—Rhode Island College senior Haley Oliver (Coventry, R.I.) from women's cross country and track and field received the Helen M. Murphy Award at the college's annual Cap and Gown Day held in Roberts Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Oliver shares the award with senior second baseman Noelle Simmons (Goffstown, N.H.) of the softball team.
 
The award is based not only on athletic prowess, but also values community and campus involvement and honors an outstanding Rhode Island College senior woman athlete.
 
Oliver is one of the most decorated women's distance runners in program history.
 
In cross country, she has been named the Little East Runner of the Year three times and earned First Team All-Little East honors in each of her four seasons on the course. She has won the conference's individual championship in each of the past three seasons (2023-25) and made two appearances at the NCAA Div. III Women's Cross Country Championship.
 
In track and field, Oliver has earned 20 All-Little East awards, five All-New England awards, four NEICAAA awards and one USTFCCCA All-Region award. She was a Little East individual champion in 16 events over the course of her career.
 
She has been named the Little East's Track Athlete of the Year twice.
 
Oliver is a public relations and advertisement major with a minor in sociology.
 
ABOUT THE HELEN M. MURPHY AWARD
The Murphy Award was established in 1979 and sponsored by the faculty of the Henry Barnard School to honor an outstanding Rhode Island College senior woman athlete. The award is named for Helen M. Murphy, a graduate of Rhode Island College in 1939, who was a member of the faculty for 38 years and taught at the Henry Barnard School, beginning in 1941, until her retirement in 1979.