ENMU football in 'the next 25'

The American Football Coaches Association released its preseason Division II poll, and the Eastern New Mexico University football team is right now in what could be called “the next 25.”

The Greyhounds received 17 points in the “also receiving votes” category in the poll, released Monday by the AFCA.

Defending national champion and Lone Star Conference foe Texas A&M-Commerce is ranked No. 1 with 748 points and 13 first-place votes. West Florida tallied 14 first-place votes, but finished second with 721 points.

Defending LSC champion Midwestern State is 11th in the poll with 473 points. The Greyhounds’ 17 points puts them 17th among teams outside the top 25.

Hounds give nod to Jennings, Connor

PORTALES — The Greyhound women’s basketball team has elevated assistant coach Durmon Jennings to associate head coach, and kept former player Mikaehla Connor in the fold as a graduate assistant.

Jennings has been with ENMU since 2015 when he came as a graduate assistant, and was elevated to assistant coach last season.

“He continues to exceed expectations and does a tremendous job of working with the young ladies in our program,” head coach Josh Prock said in a release. “We are excited to see what we will be able to accomplish in the future.”

Connor played three seasons for the Greyhounds, starting in 83 of the 84 games over that period. She was a two-time second-team All-Lone Star Conference selection and is 19th on the career scoring list.

“KK has meant a lot to me over the past three seasons,” Prock said, “and when our graduate assistant spot opened up it was an easy decision for me and we were excited when she accepted.”

LSC expanding

RICHARDSON, Texas — Less than a year from now, ENMU will be part of the largest conference in Division II.

The Lone Star Conference will grow to 20 members as of July 1, 2019, when the University of Texas at Tyler joins the fold. The UT System Board of Regents approved the move on Friday.

Other schools joining the LSC next July are the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Dallas Baptist University, Lubbock Christian University, Oklahoma Christian University, Rogers State University, St. Edward’s University, St. Mary’s University and Texas A&M International University.

UT Tyler, founded in 1971, is making the move up from Division III, where it won championships in men’s golf (2013), softball (2016) and baseball (2018).

“We’re excited to welcome UT Tyler to NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference,” LSC Commissioner Jay Poerner said. “Their location, tradition, and history of academic and athletic success make them a natural fit for the LSC.”