Athletic Report
August 30, 2000

APRIL TISBY NAMED CROSS COUNTRY COACH AT EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
New Coach is former Professional Runner
PORTALES, NM — April Tisby, a distance runner who has competed professionally in Europe, has been named head men’s and women’s cross country coach at Eastern New Mexico University, Athletic Director Rosie Stallman announced today. Tisby will begin her duties at ENMU immediately.

Eastern New Mexico is a member of the Lone Star Conference and competes in NCAA Division II in all sports. The Greyhounds and the Zias will compete in their first meet of the season, Sept. 1 at the University of Texas at El Paso. Stallman, who has served as interim coach the past month, will also accompany the team to El Paso.

“I am excited about the possibilities of our cross country team,” Tisby stated proudly. “Our youth brings an eagerness and competitiveness which we will use to build a strong and award-winning team.”

Tisby gave up her collegiate eligibility to run professionally after graduating from high school. She began her pro career as a member of the Täby Volvo Professional Running Team in Stockholm Sweden for 1988 until 1993. The Täby Volvo Team sponsored track and field, middle distance running and long distance running.

While she was a member of Täby Volvo, Tisby and one other member of the club were chosen to help start associated sister clubs in Germany, France and Italy. During her stay in Italy, Tisby trained and exchanged techniques for successful running with the Italian Olympic Track & Field Team.

In 1996, Tisby was a member of the Franche-Comte Professional Running Club in Besançon, France. Her duties included conditioning of professional basketball players as well as middle and long distance runners.

Tisby graduated from Ohio State University in 1998. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in French.

During the 1999-00 academic year, she taught elementary and middle school in the Columbus Public School System. She also sponsored an after-school program to promote physical fitness among children in the inner city.