ENMU Names New Faculty Athletic Representative

PORTALES, NM — Gene Smith, instructor of accounting, has been named the new Faculty Athletic Representative for Eastern New Mexico University. Mr. Smith will be Eastern’s official faculty contact with the Lone Star Conference and the NCAA. He will also chair the ENMU Athletic Committee.

As Eastern’s Faculty Athletic Representative, Mr. Smith’s primary responsibility will be to carry student-athlete concerns to the LSC, NCAA and ENMU faculty. He will encourage policies that facilitate ENMU’s commitment to student success, while maintaining strong relationships between the Department of Athletics and the above mentioned groups.

In announcing the appointment, Dr. Steven Gamble, ENMU president, said, “Mr. Smith has a broad background in athletics. He is committed to the academic and athletic success of Eastern’s student-athletes. Eastern is very fortunate to have such a qualified person to represent the best interests of our student-athletes.”

Mr. Smith played professional baseball in the Detroit Tigers’ farm system. He played for the Lakeland Tigers in Florida (Class A) and the Jamestown Tigers in New York (Class A). As a student at Carl Junction High School in Missouri, he was selected All-Conference in football, basketball, baseball and track. He has earned All-World honors four times while playing Over-50 softball for the Georgia Merchants in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mike Maguire, ENMU athletic director, said, “Gene has a genuine concern for our student-athletes. Eastern is fortunate to have an individual of his quality and background in athletics to take over as our Faculty Athletic Representative. We are very confident in his abilities.”

Mr. Smith replaces Thurman Elder, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “I’d like to thank Dr. Elder for his 13 years of service to athletics,” said President Gamble. “He did an outstanding job and Eastern has reaped the benefits of his dedication.”

Mr. Maguire reiterated President Gamble’s comments. “We greatly appreciate the 13 years of dedicated service to athletics from Dr. Elder. He did an outstanding job and leaves some big shoes to fill.”