ENMU Sports News

By Sara Hill and Adam Pitterman

Greyhound Football at Cowboys Stadium

ENMU was invited to attend the second Annual Lone Star Conference Football Festival last September and turned it into a weekend-long celebration. After departing early Thursday morning for Arlington, Texas, the Athletic Department along with the ENMU Foundation and Alumni Association staged events to bring alumni and friends together for what turned out to be a fantastic few days of action. Thursday evening, the Alumni Association hosted a meet and greet reception at the Marriott DFW Airport South. Old friends were able to reunite and new friends met.

Greyhounds make their entrance into Cowboys Stadium.

Photo Courtesy of Lone Star Conference

Early Friday morning, the ENMU Greyhound Sound and Spirit Squad put on a memorable pep rally outside of the Hounds’ hotel. Fans formed a spirit tunnel along with the band, cheerleaders and dancers to send our Greyhounds off to Cowboys Stadium in style. Fans were then invited to take a tour of Cowboys Stadium that ended in one of the stadium’s field level clubs for a great pregame party. Fans enjoyed delicious food from Cowboys Stadium’s Legends Catering, including their world famous mac’n’cheese, while watching the Greyhounds warm up to take on the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals.

Tensions were high as game time approached. Eastern appeared to be in trouble when Incarnate Word returned the opening kickoff for a score, but the Hounds controlled most of the game and clinched an exciting 34-24 victory with Jayson Serda’s 81-yard interception return. It was a great end to the Greyhounds’ first trip to the Lone Star Conference Football Festival.

It was also an outstanding weekend for our alumni and friends, and we hope to see them and even more fans at the 2013 Football Festival this September.

The Voice of Eastern Athletics

Honors continue to roll in for longtime ENMU Athletics broadcaster Dr. Don Elder. After earning induction into the New Mexico Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, in June 2012, he was selected as the Jack Trussell Lone Star Conference Broadcaster of the Year for 2011-12 and was honored at the LSC Media Day, held in San Antonio, Texas, July 31, 2012.

Cameron Cox (BA 12) and Doc Elder.

Photo by Josh Lucero

“We are overwhelmed and so proud of the affiliation that Eastern Athletics has with Doc Elder,” said ENMU Athletic Director Dr. Jeff Geiser. “In the 35 years I have been in collegiate athletics, he is by far the best radio announcer I have ever worked with.”

For nearly two decades, Dr. Elder has added to the listening pleasure for Greyhound and Zia fans by inserting historical anecdotes and pop-culture references into his football, baseball and basketball broadcasts. In addition to his broadcasting duties, he is a history professor at ENMU and has taken on the responsibilities of a sports communication class over the last few years, which has allowed students the opportunity to take part in his broadcasts. watching the Greyhounds warm up to take on the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals.

Alumna to Build Playground in Ghana

Former Zia soccer player, Andrea Elizondo (BS 11)v was featured in the Summer 2012 issue of The ENMU Effect for her mission work in Ghana with City of Refuge Ministries. During her first visit last spring, Andrea found a few ways to continue her mission work and involve ENMU in the process.

Andrea Elizondo (BS 11) volunteering in Ghana.

Most of the children at FRIA have never experienced Christmas. With help from donors and the ENMU Women’s Soccer team, Andrea was able to send each child a Christmas box. Christmas boxes are just a small part of Andrea’s dream for FRIA. She is currently raising money to build a much needed playground on the campus. She says, “The playground will help facilitate keeping the kids active, promote wellness and a fun childhood.” Andrea plans to go back to Ghana when the money is raised to help build the playground.

To donate or inquire about the project, contact Andrea by email at andrea. elizondo@enmu.edu

Hall of Honors - Class of 2012

L to R: Mike Dillard, Heather Brown, Tracy Jordan and Kenneth Cunningham

Early in 2012, Athletic Director Dr. Jeff Geiser announced that the committee had finalized the list of 2012 inductees into the ENMU Greyhound Hall of Honors. Heather Brown, a former Zia basketball standout, remains third on the Zias career-scoring list. Over four years, she accumulated four All-Lone Star Conference selections in addition to Defensive Player and Freshman of the Year selections.

Kenneth Cunningham was ENMU’s first four-year letterman in rodeo, competing in 1963, 1964, 1966 and 1967. He qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in the saddle bronc riding in three of his four seasons, becoming Eastern’s first CNFR competitor in 1963-64. Cunningham was instrumental in starting the rodeo program at ENMU and helped recruit the team.

Mike Dillard arrived at ENMU in 1971 and became a two-time (1973 and 1974) NAIA All-District selection at defensive back for the Greyhounds. Over his career, he made six interceptions and returned two for game-winning touchdowns against Fort Hays State and Colorado State.

Tracy Jordan was a versatile player for the Zia softball team who excelled at every aspect of the game. She was the program’s first Academic All-American and a three-time Academic All-District selection to go along with many other academic honors. A two-time All-Lone Star Conference selection, she earned second-team status in 2005 when she drove in 24 runs and belted two homers.

All-American

Greyhound Cross Country team. Isaiah Samoei holding trophy.

Photo courtesy of Lone Star Conference

Senior Isaiah Samoei from the Greyhound cross-country team was selected as the Lone Star Conference Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year for his outstanding efforts during the 2012 season. A two-time All-LSC and All-Region honoree, he became the Hounds’ first All American during the NCAA era. Samoei earned All-America status by turning in an eighth-place finish in the 10k run at the championship meet with an ENMU-record time of 29:25.8. The finish improved on his 66thplace finish from the 2011 NCAA Championships. One of the most decorated Greyhound runners in recent history, Samoei is a two-time Lone Star Conference champion and the only ENMU runner to win the Lone Star Conference meet.