ENMU Athletics News

As health officials administer vaccines across the country and the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be subsiding, there are still uncertainties about the future, particularly regarding the re-opening of campuses such as ENMU.

One program at Eastern that is already in full swing is the baseball team, which is playing a schedule comprised entirely of road games due to New Mexico travel restrictions.

“Ever since the shutdown in March 2020, we’ve yet to be able to practice or compete as a team here in New Mexico,” said ENMU Baseball Coach Riley Price. “Compared to the other Lone Star Conference teams, all of whom are outside of the state, we were set back the most due to the stricter state mandates.”

The baseball team isn’t the only squad of Greyhounds in active competition. The rodeo team opened its season at Odessa, Texas, in March and hosted the annual ENMU College Daze Rodeo, albeit at the Mallet Event Center and Arena in Levelland, Texas.

“This is a great thing for our program,” said Rodeo Coach Albert Flinn (MBA 70, BBA 68). “This is the 55th anniversary of the rodeo, and it’s important we get to host it.”

The softball and track teams’ schedules started in early March. All these programs are on campus, but there are hurdles to overcome.

“Coming in late has been a challenge. We missed the fall, which we usually use for conditioning,” said Track and Field Coach Jeff Kavalunas. “Our athletes aren’t where they are typically at this time of year in regards to their fitness.”

According to Coach Price, “the absence of a fall season, with so many new incoming players, was extremely challenging for our entire program and took a huge toll on our athletes both physically and mentally. With the limited access to weight rooms, baseball facilities or equipment, the team development this fall was difficult to achieve without them being here in person to practice together.”

The spring sports teams aren’t the only ones present on campus. Indeed, most students this semester are athletes from all programs, working out and training even when there isn’t a competitive season.

“When student-athletes could report back to campus this spring, it was a huge relief for our program,” Price said. “Although we are off to an expected slow start, I’m extremely proud of all our players who have stuck it out and who have continued to commit to the sport every day.”

By Nicolle Holcomb

Kelley Lee (MS 03) announced in March that he would be stepping down as the ENMU football program’s head coach after four years at the helm and nine years total with the team.

“We are sad to see Coach Lee go as he led our program to new heights in his time as head coach. He leaves some big shoes to fill, but we wish him and his family the best moving forward,” said Athletic Director Matt Billings.

Lee leaves as the school’s all-time leader in career win percentage (.636, 21-12). He also guided the Hounds to the program’s first-ever Division II bowl win after defeating Southern Arkansas in the 2019 Heritage Bowl.

“It has been a great privilege to be a part of the ENMU Greyhound football program the last nine years and a true honor to lead the program as the head coach for the last four years. My family and I have been blessed to have been but a small piece of the great Greyhound football tradition,” Lee said, “Above all, we want to thank the student-athletes and coaches for all their hard work and dedication. We are forever grateful for all the Greyhounds who invested so much heart and soul in this program.”

Lee’s next venture will be as the athletic coordinator and head football coach at Veterans Memorial Early College High School in Brownsville, Texas.

Andrew McCraw is the Greyhounds’ interim head coach while the search for the next head coach continues.

By Desiree Cooper

Lauren Frye (AA 17) is a firefighter and EMT for Fairfax County Fireand Rescue Department in Virginia.

“Each call is different, and I never know what it’s going to be, but I always know I’m going to be the one who’s helping someone during the scariest moments of their lives,” said Lauren when asked what she enjoys most about her work. “It’s both rewarding and emotional on many levels, but it’s what I signed up for. I’m blessed to have been offered this opportunity.

“I’ve always had a passion for the human body, and at the same time, human connections. Looking back now, I know the passions I have are rooted in the same passions my mom has. My mom was a volunteer EMT when I was younger, for the small department in my hometown.”