ENMU Athletics News

College Daze Rodeo Welcomes Back Champions

Members of the 1967–69 National Champion and National Reserve Champion rodeo teams were on hand during this year’s annual College Daze Rodeo in September.

1968 Men’s Reserve National Champions: From left, Jack Faulk (attended), Butch Cody (attended), Bob Crill (attended), ENMU Rodeo Coach Albert Flinn (MBA 70, BBA 68).

1968 Women’s Reserve National Champions: From left, ENMU Rodeo Coach Albert Flinn, Carolyn Hays Crill (MS 68, BS 67), Linda Griffin Haragan.

1969 Men’s National Champions: Posing with Bar G Western Wear owners and sponsors Buz Goodson (far left) and Fern Goodson (far right) are Gary Lewis (BBA 70) and Lon Sultemeir (attended).

1967 Women’s National Champions: From left, ENMU Rodeo Coach Albert Flinn, Linda Griffin Haragan (BS 70), Linda Blackburn Sultemeir (attended)

Former Greyhound Signs Professional Contract

By Ryan Shumaker

Former ENMU men’s basketball player Chukuka Emili (attended) recently inked a professional contract with RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf in Germany. Emili becomes the ninth Greyhound in the last four years to sign a professional contract upon completing their college career. The New City, New York native played just a single season at Eastern after transferring from Houston Baptist, but he finished his career with the third most blocks in program history with 60 in just one season of play.

Chukuka was named Third Team All-Lone Star Conference at season’s end and was also appointed to the Defensive All-LSC Team after averaging7.9 rebounds and 11.3 points per contest. The Hounds finished the 2018–19 season with an overall record of 13-14 and the program’s first winning record in LSC play at 10-8since the 2005–06 season.

“This really is just a dream come true,” Chukuka said. “I started playing basketball really late so I always felt like I was really behind everybody else. To be able to sign a professional contract now is just such a great feeling. I think I might be the only person from my hometown to ever sign a professional contract, and for me that just shows that I have come such a long way.”

The 6’8“ forward flourished in Coach Tres Segler’s high-pressure defensive system and finished 2018–19 with the third most rebounds in a single season in ENMU Men’s Basketball history with 214 for the year. The 60 blocks Emili accumulated is a program record for a single season as well.

Athletics Hall of Honors 2019 Inductees

Leroy Chavez, Cross Country 1970–74

Leroy Chavez (BS 74) competed on the Eastern New Mexico Cross Country team during the years of 1970–74 and earned NAIA District 7 All-District honors all four years of his collegiate career. Leroy was a vital member of the record setting 1973 NAIA National Championship and 1971 NAIA National Runner-Up teams and was inducted into the New Mexico Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2016.

Jessie Poku, Football 2007–10

Jessie Poku (BAAS 12) holds school records for touchdown receptions in a career (26), and receptions in a season – 86 during the 2010 campaign. Jessie was named D2Football.com Honorable Mention All-American following that 2010 season in which he hauled in 86 catches for 932 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. That same 2010 season, Jessie was also named to the Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region Four Third Team and was selected to compete in the 2011 Cactus Bowl upon season’s end. Poku was named First Team All-Lone Star Conference in 2010 and 2009 and was an Honorable Mention All-Lone Star Conference selection in 2008.

Norma Stroik, Support 1978–Current

Norma Stroik (BUS 99) has been synonymous with ENMU Athletics for more than 30 years and served as the department’s administrative office coordinator for 16 years. Norma has regularly attended and coordinated multiple athletic events in that time.

Jeff Thibodeaux, Baseball 1999–00

Jeff Thibodeaux (BS 01) produced a career batting average of .360 as a Greyhound while appearing in 99 total games. Jeff was named Second Team All-LSC following the 2000 season in which he hit .363 for the year and totaled 37 RBI while also serving as the team captain. Jeff’s play on the field and leadership in the clubhouse helped guide the Greyhounds to a 25-21-1 record and a third place finish in the 2000 Lone Star Conference South standings

Layla Turner, Tennis 1998–02

Layla Turner (BSE 02) was a two-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American and named the 1999 Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year after winning the singles and doubles title alongside Julie Stiles (MS 02 BS 00) at regionals. Layla went on to place sixth in singles and fifth in doubles at the National Tournament. Her outstanding play continued into her sophomore season as she led ENMU to a win at the regional tournament and a qualification into the NCAA Division II National Championships.