ENMU Athletics Pictured left: Dr. Greg Waggoner, ENMU’s new Athletic Director
In addition to these athletic accomplishments, Western State student-athletics maintained graduation rates higher than the school’s general student population and 11 were named Academic AllAmerican honorees.
University Tabs Waggoner as New Athletic Director ENMU President, Dr. Steven Gamble, has announced the selection of Dr. Greg Waggoner as the University’s new athletic director. Waggoner brings plenty of experience to the position, having served at Western State Colorado University for 20 years. “Greg Waggoner is an excellent addition to the University,” said Gamble. “He has a sustained record of successful leadership and I feel certain he will be an outstanding athletic director.”
Student Spotlight
During his time with Western State Colorado, the University won 11 NCAA division two national team championships, 97 national “top ten” team finishes, and 32 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) team championships. The University also placed in the “Top 44” of the NCAA DII Director’s Cup standings for 19 straight years, an amazing run.
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Waggoner also helped secure and oversaw over $37 million in athletic faculty improvements, and was involved in numerous community initiatives including as President of the NCAA Division II Athletic Director’s Association for two years. He holds a doctorate in sports management from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Waggoner states: “I am honored to be provided this exciting opportunity. It is very clear that the culture at ENMU is very attractive and collegial, which reflects well on President Gamble’s leadership. I feel fortunate to step into the big shoes that Dr. Jeff Geiser leaves. His leadership has positioned Greyhound Athletics extremely well for his successor. My career has been committed to the education and personal development of student-athletics for over 35 years and my commitment will remain as I embark on this journey.” Waggoner replaces Dr. Jeff Geiser, who is retiring after seven years as the ENMU Athletic Director.
Greyhounds Register Academic Excellence For the 2015-16 academic year, former ENMU athletic director Dr. Jeff Geiser announced a major accomplishment on behalf of the Greyhound student athletes. The Hounds closed the year with a collective grade point average of higher than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. “This is outstanding and a true representation of the ‘student’ in student athlete,” said Geiser. The cumulative student-athlete GPA stood at 3.001, with the women’s combined GPA closing at 3.303 and the men’s teams combined for 2.698. The women’s cross country team led the way at 3.533, with volleyball close behind at 3.486. On the men’s side, the baseball team finished with a combined GPA of 2.925, and men’s soccer followed with 2.815. Eastern also had six student athletes earn Academic All-LSC honors, and junior Courtney Lawson from the volleyball team was an Academic All-District selection. “Congratulations to Coach Kcholi and women’s cross country and all of our women Greyhound teams for achieving team GPAs above 3.0,” said Geiser. “And also to Coach Gomez and baseball for leading the way on the men’s side.”
Klaudia Szych: Cross Country “Country music grew on me,” says Klaudia Szych (BS 16). Klaudia is originally from Szczecin, Poland. Two and half hours away from Berlin, Germany and the Baltic Sea, Szczecin sits in the northwest corner of Poland with a population of around 400,000 residents. “Szczecin is a far more vertical city versus the spaciousness of New Mexico,” Klaudia explained. Green & Silver | August 2016
Klaudia began her collegiate career at New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) and continued at Eastern after she initiated a conversation with cross country coach Danielle Kcholi. That conversation led not only to a cross country scholarship, but also one for track and field. At ENMU Klaudia belongs to a rich tradition of international cross country and track athletics with the likes of New Zealander Rex Maddaford (BBE 73) and Kenyan Mike Boit (BA 76).
