New Stadium and Game Huge Successes

By Adam Pitterman

ENMU held its grand opening of Greyhound Stadium on Sept. 10. The event exceeded expectations with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a C-130 flyover from Cannon Air-Force Base and many other festivities prior to the football team’s kickoff against Western New Mexico University.

This Blackwater Draw spirit rock, placed by the locker rooms on the southeast side of the new Greyhound Stadium, was brought over from the facility at Blackwater Draw in honor of the many games played and attended there and was made possible by Clint Ramsey (MS 66, BA 60).

“It was a great environment that took great organization,” said ENMU head football coach Josh Lynn. “It was a great night for football.”

Ribbon cutting, from left to right, ENMU Foundation Director Noelle Bartl (BS 92), Regent President Terry Othick (MBA 70, BBA 68), Portales School Board President Antonio Sanchez, Mayor Sharon King (BUS 95, AA 91), Greyhound Club President Charles Bennett (BBA 81), Student Body President Tim Harris, Rudy Anaya from Lubbock, President Ambassador Ryan Pecotte, Richard Griffith (MBA 67) and Athletic Director Greg Waggoner (kneeling).

The Greyhounds took to Al Whitehead Field during a stirring video presentation on Griffith and Field Scoreboard. To the delight of a packed stadium, the team thoroughly dominated their home opener. The contest marked WNMU’s first Lone Star Conference competition, and the first time they had played ENMU since the 2005 season finale.

The Greyhounds took to the field for the first game at the new Greyhound Stadium.

Running back Kamal Cass had one of the top performances of the game, with a career-high 232 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The performance earned him Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week and catapulted the junior running back to the top of the nation in rushing yards.

Al Whitehead (BS 55) and his wife, Lacy, admire Al Whitehead Field.

Throughout the night, ENMU recognized the stadium’s primary donors for their generous contributions. Al Whitehead (BS 55) and his wife, Lacy, Richard Griffith (MBA 67) and Clint Ramsey (MS 66, BA 60) all received commemorative footballs signed by the team and enjoyed finally sharing the excitement with students and fans.

Richard Griffith finally got to see the Griffith and Field Scoreboard he sponsored in action.