ENMU Mourns Passing of Greyhound Legend By Adam Pitterman B.B. Lees (MA 57, BA 52) passed away in August 2015. Over the years the former athletic director supported the programs he helped build and received numerous accolades. “B.B. Lees is the epitome of what it means to be a Greyhound,” said ENMU President Steven Gamble. “Steve Doerr once said that B.B. bleeds green and I know that’s true. I don’t know of a better friend the University has had in its history. The University will miss Coach Lees very much. He was truly an inspiration and a friend to everyone who knew him.” Inducted into the ENMU Athletics Hall of Honors in 1994, B.B. served the ENMU athletic department for more than 37 years as a coach, faculty member and administrator, including 18 years as athletic director. During his time at Eastern, he coached most of the teams and took the golf team to 12 consecutive NAIA District VII championships. In May 1995 the NAIA Hall of Fame inducted B.B. as a golf coach. He served as the chairman of the NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament from 1990-1993 and was among fellow committee members honored in 2012 during the Elite Eight at the Bank of Kentucky Center in Highland Heights, Kentucky. “BB set the bar for those athletic directors who followed him,” said ENMU Director of Athletics Jeff Geiser. “In my six years at Eastern I have not heard one negative
comment about B.B.. Everyone loved him. He will be missed but his legacy will live on forever at his beloved ENMU.” “From the time I arrived at ENMU in 1982 as the director of News Services/Sports Information, B. B. immediately made me feel at home,” said ENMU Director of Media Relations Wendel Sloan. “I don’t remember a conversation with him without hearing his infectious laugh. “He epitomized the friendly spirit that makes ENMU such a great place to work. I will never forget him or the positive impact he had on me and everyone I know. I know the heavens are now enjoying his friendly laughter and loving spirit.” “B.B. was great pioneer of Greyhound football,” said ENMU Football Coach Josh Lynn. “There is no other previous ENMU football coach that did more for the community of Portales than him. He will be missed.” “’What’s up partner!’ always was his greeting to me,” said ENMU Volleyball Coach Sia Poyer. “I’ve known Mr. Lees since my days as a volunteer student assistant. He was always kind, supportive and full of wisdom. He wasn’t just a friend to Eastern, but a friend to me, Jennifer and my kids. I’m going to miss him so much.” Contact the ENMU Foundation for more information about the scholarship honoring the legacy of B.B. and his long time friend Carl Richardson.
Top-Bottom: B. B. Lees at a recent Alumni Golf Tournament in Albuquerque; Halfback B. B. Lees, 1950 New Mexico Conference Champions; Coach Lees from the 1960 Silver Pack Yearbook.
8
Green & Silver | November 2015
