$2.5 million donation given ENMU athletics

An Eastern New Mexico University alumnus has donated $2.5 million in what college officials are calling the “single largest gift in university history.”

ENMU announced in June it had accepted a large donation from Steve Loy, a sports agent and former ENMU football player, but did not announce the amount until this week.

The donation is to support ENMU athletes and athletic programs. In honor of the gifts, ENMU will rename Greyhound Stadium and Greyhound arena after the Loy family, according to an ENMU news release.

ENMU spokesman John Houser said Tuesday that officials have not yet decided what the sports facility names will be.

According to the news release, Loy’s donation will create two athletic scholarships: one for football and one for basketball. In addition, an assistant coaches’ fund will be created to attract and retain assistant coaches.

The donation will also be used to create a President’s Leadership Academy, which will teach ENMU student-athletes leadership skills and apply them in their professional careers, the release stated.

“On behalf of our entire family, we are blessed and honored to contribute this gift, which we are making to honor my fellow alumni and football teammates who competed during Coach Jack Scott’s and Coach Don Carthel’s tenure,” Loy said in the news release.

Loy played football at ENMU in the 1970s and spoke at the university’s commencement ceremony in the spring.

Loy has managed some of the “world’s best athletes” in his sports management career, according to information on ENMU’s website, including professional golfer Phil Mickelson.

Loy is president of Global Golf for Sportfive and Sportfive Americas.

“We are honored by the generosity of Steve and Linda Loy,” said ENMU Chancellor James Johnston. “Their significant gift allows us to move forward with initiatives that will positively impact the lives of our student-athletes for generations to come.”