ENMU 1969 We are the Champions By Robert Graham ENMU Greyhounds won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) basketball championship in 1969. Gregory Peck Hyder (Attended 66-70) was a four-time All-American member of the team who the NAIA recognized as the tournament MVP his senior year. “He must be the greatest basketball player Eastern has ever had and played on the team that achieved the highest honor,” says former teammate Jim Guymon (BS 72). ENMU inducted Greg into its inaugural Athletic Hall of Honors class in 1984 – the same year that the Chicago Bulls drafted Michael Jordan with the third overall pick. “He was Michael Jordan before there was a Michael Jordan. The things that Greg could do with the ball were amazing,” says his younger brother Jerry Hyder (Attended 67-71). Head Coach Harry Miller and assistant coach Buddy Othick recruited the brothers out of Victorville, California in 1966 and 1967 for the Greyhound basketball program. Other notable recruits included Monrovia, California’s John Irwin (MS 71, BS 69) and Albuquerque’s Jim Guymon. “I would go home with Jim on the weekends. His parents treated me like their own son,” says Jerry. It was a family affair with Coach Miller. “He had high expectations for us,” says John, but “up until his death, Coach Miller sent me and my wife Christmas cards annually and even came to visit my family long after my days at ENMU,” says Jerry. Under Coach Miller, the Greyhounds went to four consecutive NAIA tournaments and brought ENMU
its first Final Four, title game and national championship in ’69. “When we drove back from the championship game in Kansas City, I remember coming into Texico. From Texico to Portales, there were cars lined up everywhere – I mean everywhere! The support from the local community was amazing,” says John. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the league that merged with it in 1976, the American Basketball Association (ABA), had taken notice of ENMU’s elite basketball program. The Sacramento Kings’ predecessor, the Cincinnati Royals, drafted Greg in the third round of the 1970 NBA draft. Two years later, the Kings drafted Jim in the fifth round, and the Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA drafted Jim in the ninth round. Jim ultimately relocated to the United Kingdom, achieving success as a player first in London and then as a coach, eventually settling down in Southampton, UK. The success of ENMU’s basketball program in the late 60s set the tone for the school in the 70s. 1973 and 1974 saw the Cross Country and Outdoor Track teams bring two more national championships to ENMU. The teams featured New Zealand and Kenyan running sensations Rex Maddaford (BS 74) and Michael Boit (BS 76). “ENMU belonged to District 7 at the time. We had gymnastics, golf, swimming and much more, and we dominated in each,” says Rex. ENMU’s sports programs were exceptional; the University had nationally and internationally recognized academic
Left top: Eastern’s leading scorer, Greg Hyder, junior forward, battles Dale Cushingberry, Kansas Sate Teacher’s College’s leading rebounder, for a rebound. Eastern won 69-54. Left middle: All-American Gred Hyder who also was named tothe All-Tournament team, gets squeezed in by two Hawks (Maryland State College) as he reaches for a rebound. Left bottom: A Greg Hyder basket assures the ‘Hounds another viroty against Adams State in the District 7 playoffs, 91-77. Photos and captions courtesy of 1969 Silver Pack yearbook.
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Green & Silver | August 2015
