General | 4/20/2017 12:37:00 PM

Thursday, April 20, 2017

PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University Athletic Director Dr. Greg Waggoner announced that the Hall of Honors will be welcoming five new members during a September banquet. The 2017 induction class includes Larry Riley (men's basketball), Gary Good (rodeo), Alex Mayo-Otis (softball), Anna Bellum (volleyball), and Samantha Lawrence-Ward (women's soccer).

After the nomination process, candidates are considered and voted on by the ENMU Hall of Honors Committee. The committee consists of the following members: Charles Chambers, Thurman Elder, Bill Joy, Greg Waggoner, Mike Maguire, Wayne Moore, Dr. Kathleen Salter, Bryan Principe, and Dr. Buck Wilson.

The Hall of Honors banquet will be held at the Campus Union Building on Saturday, September 23, 2017, at a time to be determined. The honorees also will be recognized at halftime of the Greyhounds' football game against Angelo State.

Although most people recognize Larry Riley as the general manager and architect of the Golden State Warriors' recent NBA Championship team, the accomplishment was merely the pinnacle of a storied career. Riley began his 27-year journey through the NBA ranks as a video coordinator/scout. He served in front office and coaching capacities with the Vancouver Grizzlies (1994-99), Dallas Mavericks (2000-05), and eventually the Golden State Warriors. Success followed Riley every step of the way, as the Mavericks posted 50 wins every year under his tenure and had a cumulative record of 340-152. Dallas won the Western Conference in 2006, and reached the NBA Finals. Prior to his work in the NBA, Larry Riley served as the Greyhound men's basketball coach for 10 seasons from 1978-1987. He guided the Hounds to five postseason events and helped transition the program from NAIA to NCAA Division II. ENMU's top season under Riley came in 1983-84, when the Hounds posted an 18-12 record.

Gary Good was one of Eastern's top rodeo stars from 1971-75 and reached the College National Finals rodeo every year. As a senior, he was the Southwest Regional title in team roping. In 1974, he was one of six participants from the ENMU men's team at the CNFR. As a sophomore, he finished second at the CNFR in ribbon roping, and was fourth in the national standings. Good also competed for the Greyhound track & field program in 1972 under legendary head coach, Bill Silverberg. Good had a strong post-ENMU career, won eight PRCA rodeos, and won numerous titles, which included PRCA World Champion steer roper in 1979 and All-Around Cowboy at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1978.

Alex Mayo Otis played for the ENMU softball team from 2007-2010 and was one of the most complete players in program history. She could hit for both average and power, steal bases, and bunt. Mayo Otis concluded her career in the top ten of nearly every offensive category and set the program record for hits in a career with a grand slam against Northeastern State. As a junior, she tied for the NCAA lead with just two strikeouts in 160 at bats. Mayo Otis was an Academic All-American, and a two-time Academic All-District selection. She was a four-time All-Lone Star Conference selection and made the LSC All-Academic Team.

Anna Bellum was a First Team All-Lone Star Conference selection for the ENMU volleyball team in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. In 2004, she led Eastern to a 25-win season, which included a thrilling five-set win in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Also strong academically, Bellum was an ESPN the Magazine First Team Academic All-District selection and was chosen as Eastern's LSC Scholar Athlete. Her 481 kills in the 2003 season are seventh all time for Eastern, while her 942 career kills are eighth in ENMU history. In 2003, Bellum received selections as the LSC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week.

Samantha Lawrence-Ward played for the ENMU women's soccer team from 2006-09 and was one of the most highly decorated players in program history. Eastern's all-time leader in goals was a two-time Greatest Zia and three-time All-Lone Star Conference selection. She earned numerous academic honors, which included Honorable Mention NSCAA Scholar All-West Region (twice), Second Team Academic All-District, and Academic All-LSC, National Consortium for Academics and Sport 2008 Academic Momentum Award, and Academic All-LSC (twice). Thrice she earned the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player and was Player of the Year in 2008. Lawrence holds the ENMU career records with 37 goals and 13 game-winning goals. She set a team record with 11 goals in the 2007 season, and eclipsed that mark with a 15-goal campaign the following year.