February 20, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mary Ann McBride, Student Assistant or
Judy Willson, SID
505.562.4309 or 356-4755
(Portales, N.M.) -- Like father, like daughter as the old adage goes certainly applies to senior Eastern New Mexico University basketball player, Leigh Dalluge. She is the second generation of her family to play a sport at ENMU. Her father, Jeff, played football for the Greyhounds, and graduated from Eastern in 1968.
Dalluge, an education major from Tulia, Texas, is the second leading rebounder in Zia basketball history (808) and the 11th leading scorer (850) as of February 19. She attributes her success to her parents. "They influenced me to start playing basketball and they've been behind me through thick and thin," she stated.
The sport has always been a motivating force in her life. "It has been my life since grade school," she said with a smile. She started playing in the third grade and hasn't slowed down since.
She was named Lone Star Conference honorable mention her sophomore and junior years and was also named LSC Player of the Week during her freshman year. She was the top rebounder in the conference last year.
"Leigh's been an asset to the program. She brought in solid post play when we were in dire need. She's a hard worker and has become one of the best rebounders in the conference," said Zia head coach Wayne Moore.
Dalluge has many memories of her time spent on the court. She recalls with little fondness losing to Muleshoe in junior high. "We got beat 33-3, so every time we lost after that we had to run 30 extra laps."
Her happy recollections far outweigh the bad. Dalluge's favorite memories of her time at Eastern include defeating nationally ranked Abilene Christian University in 1997, and beating archrival West Texas A&M University at Greyhound Arena her freshman and senior years.
Dalluge is as successful off the basketball court as she is on it. In addition to playing basketball, she has been active in other campus activities. She has been a member of SPURS, a sophomore honor society and is a Chaparral Student Ambassador.
She has changed a great deal since coming to Eastern in 1994. "I was in awe of the seniors because I was just a little freshman. Now I look back and I'm the old one. It's a constant rotation."
In the future she plans to teach kindergarten through 12th grade and location is not an issue. "My options are wide open."