ENMU 1969 Flashback

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).

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.

Photo and caption courtesy of 1969 Silver Pack yearbook

Head Coach Harry Miller (BA 51) 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.

All-American Greg Hyder, who also was named to the All-Tournament team, gets squeezed in by two Hawks (Maryland State College) as he reaches for a rebound.

Photo and caption courtesy of 1969 Silver Pack yearbook

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.

Left bottom: A Greg Hyder basket assures the ‘Hounds another victory against Adams State in the District 7 playoffs, 91-77

Photo and caption courtesy of 1969 Silver Pack yearbook

ENMU’s sports programs were exceptional; the University had nationally and internationally recognized academic departments as well. Rex recalls, “I was running in a track meet in Toronto. The company 3M was the sponsor, and I got a chance to meet the president and vice president of the company’s Canadian division. Both executives had earned their degrees at ENMU. They said to me that in the business world, ENMU’s business school was second to none.”

Jerry Hyder, sophomore guard, stands off the Omaha team in getting possession of the ball. Eastern won 102-82.

Photo and caption courtesy of 1969 Silver Pack yearbook

The 70s also saw a string of ENMU concerts that were ‘number one.’ ENMU was an entertainment hub that attracted the likes of Steve Martin, ZZ Top, The Dirt Band, LeRoux, Flash Cadillac, Olivia Newton John with Albert Hammond, Helen Reddy, Lee Michaels, Anne Murray, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Buddy Rich, Jose Feliciano, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, Charlie Rich, Ray Stevens, Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids, Rick Nelson, Buster Crabbe, The Persuasions and many more. Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. President Gary Tonjes (BS 78) says that “the Doobie Brothers were huge when they came to Portales for a concert, so ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ and ‘China Grove’ were favorites of mine.”

Like the Doobie Brothers, ENMU found its championship form in 1969, a form that continues to shape and mold the University.

ENMU thanks all alumni whose actions, direct and indirect, contribute to ENMU’s strength as a shaper of the strong institution with traditions and accomplishments we continue to honor. We hope you are inspired to share your story.

ENMU dedicates this article to Mr.Gregory Peck Hyder (1948-2014).

L-R: Larry Vanzant, Junior, Guard, Portales, NM; Jim Guymon, Sophomore, Forward, Albuquerque, NM; Gary Coffman, Senior, Guard, Portales, NM; John Irwin, Senior, Center, Monrovia, CA; John Arnold, Junior, Center, North Platte, NE; Albert Morton, Sophomore, Greenwood, MS; Greg Hyder, Junior, Forward, Victorville, CA; Simon Terrazas, Sophomore, Big Spring, TX; Dale Severson, Senior, Guard, Dekalb, IL; Jerry Hyder, Sophomore, Guard, Victorville, CA; Not Pictured: Pete Norris, Freshman, Greencastle, IN; Steve Nelson, Freshman, Lafayette, IN; John Hutchinson, Freshman, Trenton, MI; Lou Stephenson, Freshman, Jefferson, IN; Larry Giles, Freshman, Cherryville, NC.

Photo and caption courtesy of 1969 Silver Pack yearbook.