The employment agreement for New Mexico State University Athletics Director McKinley Boston has been extended until Dec. 31, when he will step down from his post. Meanwhile, Boston will continue to work with NMSU President Garrey Carruthers on a number of issues facing the Athletics Department, including conference realignment, athletic finances and the day-to-day operation of the department.
“Dr. Boston has done a fine job in leading our athletics department over the past 10 years,” Carruthers said. “I am most pleased with his attention to academics and the development of support groups for our student athletes during his time at NMSU.”
NMSU states the emphasis in academics has resulted in a 73-percent graduation rate of NMSU’s student athletes as well as an improvement in the university’s academic progress rate, or APR. APR is the measure used by the NCAA to chart the academic success of NMSU student athletes and it has risen over the past few years.
“I think the most significant accomplishment during my time has been changing the culture of the NMSU Athletics Department to better reflect the academic culture of the university,” Boston said. “The behavior of our student athletes has also improved. Today they are role models and important members of our community.”
During Boston’s tenure, NMSU student athletes have logged thousands of hours of community service each year. Under his watch, NMSU student athletes have won 16 WAC team championships and 33 WAC individual championships. Boston also guided NMSU through the transition of the Western Athletic Conference, which saw a dramatic change in both the face and the geographic footprint of the conference.
“I am very pleased with the capital improvements Dr. Boston has overseen during his time at NMSU,” Carruthers said. “Since he was named NMSU Athletics Director in 2004, the university has embarked on major renovations to both the Pan American Center and Presley Askew Stadium. We have also recently completed a major renovation to the Coca-Cola Weight Training Center and will soon complete work on new turf for Aggie Memorial Stadium.”
NMSU will begin a national search for its next athletics director. Carruthers will soon name a search committee with representation from NMSU’s faculty and staff as well as community members. He said the next athletics director will be heavily engaged in the promotion and fundraising for NMSU athletics.
Here is the full statement from NMSU President Dr. Garrey Carruthers sent to faculty and staff:
Today, I have extended the contract for Dr. McKinley Boston as New Mexico State University’s athletics director until December 31, 2014, when he will step down from his post. Meanwhile, he will continue to work with me on a number of issues facing the Athletics Department, including conference realignment, athletic finances and the day-to-day operation of the department.
Dr. Boston has done a fine job in leading our athletics department over the past 10 years. I am most pleased with his attention to academics and the development of support groups for our student athletes during his time at NMSU.
This emphasis in academics has resulted in a 73 percent graduation rate of our student athletes as well as an improvement in the university’s academic progress rate or APR. APR is the measure used by the NCAA to chart the academic success of our student athletes and it has risen over the past few years.
I know that he lists among his significant accomplishment the changing the culture of the NMSU Athletics Department to better reflect the academic culture of the university. The behavior of our student athletes has improved and today they are role models and important members of our community. During his tenure, our student athletes have logged thousands of hours of community service each year. This service not only helps to instill a sense of pride in our athletes, but it also strengthens our community and improves our connections with community members.
Under his watch, our student athletes have won 16 WAC team championships and 33 WAC individual championships. Dr. Boston also guided us through the transition of the Western Athletic Conference, which saw a dramatic change in both the face and the geographic footprint of the conference.
I am very pleased with the capital improvements Dr. Boston has overseen during his time at NMSU. Since he was named NMSU Athletics Director in 2004, the university has embarked on major renovations to both the Pan American Center and Presley Askew Stadium. We have also recently completed a major renovation to the Coca-Cola Weight Training Facility and will soon complete work on new turf for Aggie Memorial Stadium.
We will begin a national search to find NMSU’s next athletics director immediately. I will soon name a search committee with representation from NMSU’s faculty and staff as well as community members. Our next athletics director will be heavily engaged in the promotion and fundraising for NMSU athletics. This person will also be an excellent communicator on the team effort that is collegiate athletics.
Information from NMSU