Friday, January 30, 2009

PORTALES--Mike Maguire, athletic director at Eastern New Mexico University, has requested reassignment within the University administration, effective July 1. 

After 22 years at Eastern as the volleyball coach and athletic director, Maguire will become responsible for athletic fundraising, special events and will teach.

Maguire has served as the athletic director at ENMU for the last eight years, and stepped down as volleyball coach in 2006 after guiding the team for 20 years.

He owns a record of 392-269 (.593) as ENMU volleyball coach. In 2004, ENMU was 25-9 and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time and was a regional semifinalist.  Maguire led ENMU to 16 consecutive winning seasons from 1989-2004.

He led ENMU to the Lone Star Conference regular season volleyball title in 1991 and to regular season and tournament titles in 1993. The 1998, 1999 and 2000 teams reached the semifinals of the LSC Tournament. He was named LSC Coach-of-the-Year in 1991, 1993 and 1995, and was chosen LSC South Coach-of-the-Year in 1999. The Zias earned the best record in school history in 1993, finishing 33-6 overall.

He was a basketball starter at Eastern from 1976-78, then went to Mesa State to finish his playing career and earn a B.A. in psychology (1981). He added a master’s in physical education from ENMU in 1984.

Maguire was head volleyball coach at Chadron State in 1985 and became ENMU’s head coach in 1987. His career record at both schools is 401-257 (.609).

As athletic director, Maguire accomplished the expansion of ENMU athletic teams in men’s and women’s soccer and the reestablishment of the men’s and women’s track and field teams.  He also oversaw the construction of baseball and softball field houses, the ENMU soccer field, and the resurfacing of the University track.  Under his direction, ENMU also added a full-time compliance position to ensure that ENMU complies with all NCAA rules.

According to ENMU president Steven Gamble, Maguire, along with the coaches, stressed academic success for Eastern’s student-athletes.  The cumulative grade point average for the 354 athletes for the 2008 fall semester was 3.02, well above the student body average.

Other recent accomplishments included the athletic department being recognized by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports in a national publication for their community service efforts.  In addition, the NCAA honored the ENMU athletic department with their inaugural Community Engagement Award for the Lone Star Conference for the High Hopes Benefit Dinner and Dance, which raised $6,000 for the restoration of the historic YAM Theatre in Portales.  The benefit is being held again this year on March 14 in the Campus Union Ballroom.

A search committee, chaired by Faculty Athletic Representative Gene Smith, will conduct a nationwide search and will make a recommendation to Gamble on a successor to Maguire.

Gamble said, “Coach Mike Maguire has been athletic director during a time of significant expansion of Eastern’s athletic program.  He has always demonstrated integrity in all that he has done, and we are grateful he will remain involved in ENMU athletics.”

Article courtesy of ENMU Communications