Joel McMullen Named Compliance Officer and Head Cross Country Coach at ENMU

PORTALES, NM — Joel McMullen has been named Compliance Officer and Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Coach at Eastern New Mexico University. McMullen has already begun his duties and will coach the Greyhounds and the Zias this fall.

McMullen replaces Greg LaSage as cross country coach and Robert McKinney as compliance officer. LaSage was cross country coach for two seasons and assistant baseball coach for four years. McKinney, who started at ENMU as sports information director and compliance coordinator in late August of 1998, will continue to handle all sports information duties. Since McKinney’s arrival, the ENMU Athletic Department has increased from nine NCAA sports to 13 NCAA sports, creating the need to split the sports information and compliance responsibilities.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to help the cross country athletes attain their goals, McMullen said. “It’s a privilege to work with college athletes in general, and I’m really looking forward to the experience. I enjoyed working in the compliance office at Oklahoma State, so I’m prepared and excited to be in charge of the overall compliance efforts at ENMU.”

Most recently, McMullen worked at Oklahoma State University as a compliance assistant and as a member of the Cowboys’ cross country coaching staff. He comes to Eastern New Mexico University with a combination of education, experience and integrity that make him well-prepared for his dual roles in the Athletic Department.

McMullen ran cross country and track distance events throughout his high school career at Great Bend High School in Kansas and at Barton County Community College (Kan.). He then attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of General Science degree. His competitive running career continued for many years, and he is an avid fan and supporter of cross country, road racing and track. He has passed on his passion for running to his two sons, who have competed as well.

He received a law degree from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., in 1992. His desire to mix the knowledge and skills from his legal education with his love of athletics brought him to Oklahoma State University, where he obtained experience in both coaching and compliance.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a quality individual such as Joel McMullen joining our staff,” Maguire said. “I believe he will bring a steadying influence to the cross country program. His knowledge in the area of compliance has allowed us to make changes and keep pace with the sports we have added.”

“This change is a great situation for me,” McKinney said. “Not only is Joel an outstanding addition to our athletic staff, but his ability to serve as compliance officer will allow me to provide more sports information support to all of our athletic teams. Our teams have become increasingly competitive, while fielding larger squads than when I arrived at Eastern. I have enjoyed working with compliance, but my personal favorite has always been sports information.”

McMullen and his wife, Ina, have been married for 20 years. They live in Portales, N.M., with their children, Austen (“Ozzie”), 14, and Ian, 18.