Q & A: ENMU's Elder to be honored

Eastern New Mexico University history professor Donald "Doc" Elder is scheduled to be inducted into the New Mexico Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame during an NMBA luncheon on June 9 in Albuquerque.

Elder, who turns 60 on Sunday, has broadcast ENMU sports, primarily football, basketball and baseball, for the past 16 years. He has also done Portales High and area small-school sports for Rooney Moon Broadcasting, notably the EPAC tournament every year in early January, and hosts an hour-long coaches show on Monday nights during the school year.

Born in Farmington, Minn., and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa, Elder and wife Janine have been married for nearly 38 years, and she often assists him on broadcasts by keeping statistics.

Elder's father was a sportscaster for WMAQ radio and television in Chicago in the 1940s and early 50s — Doc said his dad interviewed Babe Ruth shortly before The Bambino died in 1948. His father got out of the business not long before Doc was born to devote more time to the family.

How did you get into broadcasting?

I was a junior high football coach in Vinton, Iowa, in the early '80s. We got cable TV and there was a local public access channel, and somebody got the idea to film (high school) football games and televise them.

I would scout for the high school team on Friday. The varsity football coach called me and said, 'You're no good to me as a scout, but you might be able to do these broadcasts.'

How many miles have you logged doing local sports over the years?

That's a good question. I would conservatively estimate I've logged well over 200,000 miles, especially when (you throw in) Portales football and basketball.

CMI photo: Joshua Lucero

Longtime ENMU sports broadcaster Donald "Doc" Elder, left, estimates he's traveled more than 200,000 miles covering the Greyhounds and Zias over the last 16 years. Elder will be inducted into the New Mexico Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame on June 9.

What is your favorite road trip? Favorite restaurant?

My wife and I over the years have grown to appreciate how easy some road trips are and how difficult some road trips are. (Former ENMU baseball coach) Phil Clabaugh gave me some superb advice on restaurants I might like. One is Zentner's Daughter in San Angelo (Texas). It's an absolutely phenomenal steak restaurant.

You like to reference song lyrics in your broadcasts. How did you come to do that?

It's something that I was just born with. It's not a skill. When I think in terms of trying to give people an analogy or a point of reference, the first thing that pops into my mind is a song lyric or a movie reference.

How long to you think you'll continue to broadcast ENMU events?

I hope that when the time comes for me to step down, I'll recognize that. I hope other people don't have to tell me it's time.

If it ever turns into I HAVE to go to San Angelo or I HAVE to go to Commerce, it's time to step down. But I love to broadcast local sports, and I hope I do justice to the local athletes.

— Compiled by Dave Wagner