PORTALES, N.M. - Few individuals have left a lasting mark on Eastern New Mexico University Rodeo quite like Albert Flinn.
 
After more than six decades of involvement with ENMU Rodeo, first as a student-athlete, then alumnus, supporter, assistant head coach and then ENMU's head coach; Flinn officially retired from Eastern New Mexico University on July 1, 2026, bringing to a close one of the most influential careers in the history of Greyhound Athletics.
 
His journey with Eastern began in 1964 when he arrived on campus as a member of the Greyhound Rodeo team. Competing in bareback riding and bull riding, Flinn helped lead ENMU to its first National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Regional Championship in 1965 and qualified for three College National Finals Rodeos. The 1968 Greyhound team finished as the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Reserve National Champions, cementing one of the greatest eras in program history.
 
After earning both his bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business and his Master of Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University, Flinn enjoyed a successful 34-year career in banking while remaining deeply involved in rodeo through 4-H, high school and collegiate programs. His passion for ENMU Rodeo eventually brought him home.
 
In June 2008, Flinn returned to Eastern as the eighth head coach in program history. Over the next 17 years, he helped elevate ENMU Rodeo into one of the premier programs in the Southwest Region. Under his leadership:

• 26 Greyhound student-athletes qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo
• Six captured individual national championships
• One earned the Reserve All-Around Championships
• Greyhound women's team claimed back-to-back Southwest Region Championships in 2014 and 2015.

 
While championships and national qualifiers helped define his coaching career, Flinn's greatest impact was measured in the relationships he built. He mentored generations of student-athletes, helping them grow not only as competitors but as professionals, leaders and ambassadors for Eastern New Mexico University.
 
In 2023, his remarkable contributions to Greyhound Athletics were recognized with induction into the ENMU Athletics Hall of Honors, an honor celebrating both his success in the arena and his unwavering commitment to the University.
 
"Albert Flinn has done wonderful things for ENMU Rodeo," says athletic director Kevin Fite, "first as member of the team; then as an alumni supporter; he restored the program as a head coach and then helped with the transition into the John Sharp era, serving as an assistant coach for the last year. He always took great pride in putting on a top notch rodeo each fall and worked to improve the rodeo facilities and make our rodeo and the rodeo program highly relevant on the NIRA national scene. In my first two years as Director of Athletics, I have learned so much from Albert related to rodeo and this history of the program. The two most important things I learned was that ENMU Rodeo would not be where it is today without the commitment and efforts of Albert Flinn and, most importantly, that his rodeo team members love Albert! He will be missed but we wish Albert and Jenny the best in their retirement and fully expect to see a lot of them, they are true Greyhound fans and are expected to be at our rodeos and other ENMU athletic events in the future."
 
Earlier this year, Flinn transitioned into the role of assistant coach to assist with the leadership transition of the program, once again placing the needs of ENMU Rodeo above his own. His willingness to mentor and support the next generation of coaches reflected the same servant leadership that defined his entire career.
 
"Albert has built a legacy here at ENMU Rodeo," says current ENMU Rodeo head coach John Sharp, "during his tenure, he built many relationships and connections with students, staff, and community members. I hope he enjoys retirement as we work to carry on the legacy and tradition he built here at ENMU."
 
Flinn's former student-athlete and graduate assistant coach Shacie Marr spoke on the impact he had in her collegiate career. "He was my rodeo coach for 5 years as I completed my bachelors and masters. He was one of the biggest reasons I chose to come to school at ENMU. He took great pride in all of our rodeo performances but most important our performance in the classroom. If you ever needed something he would make sure you had it. That man cares so much about ENMU rodeo and all of the kids that came through his program. It was an honor to be coached by him and later be his colleague. To this day I consider him family and am so grateful for my experience at ENMU and his part in it."
 
Although Flinn's coaching career has come to an end, his connection to ENMU Rodeo will continue. His influence can be found in every generation of Greyhound rodeo student-athletes, in every championship celebrated, and in the culture of excellence he helped build over the last six decades. And you will still see Coach Flinn at many ENMU home games since he is still a fan at heart.
 
To honor his extraordinary career, ENMU Athletics will recognize Albert Flinn on September 19th during this year's ENMU College Daze Rodeo for receiving the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, and for his many dedicated years of service to ENMU Rodeo.
 
From competitor to coach. From mentor to Hall of Honor inductee. From the arena to retirement. Albert Flinn's story is, and always will be, an important chapter in the history of Eastern New Mexico University.
 
Thank you, Coach Flinn, for your lifelong dedication to the Greyhounds.