Mike Galvan named Red River Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year

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Mike Galvan

HOBBS, NM (06/15/2011)(readMedia)-- The Red River Athletic Conference, which consists of 14 member schools, selected University of the Southwest's Mike Galvan for conference athletic director of the year.

This is the second time within the past three years the Galvan has been selected for the honor, which is decided on by a vote of all the athletic directors within the RRAC. Galvan was previously selected for the honor in the 2008-2009 academic year.

Criteria for the selection is loosely based on conference members' opinions about colleagues but a large part of those opinions is determined by how the recipient athletic director leads his teams in treating visiting teams during home games. Other factors include the overall success of a school's athletic programs and the involvement of the athletic director within the RRAC, according to Darin David, sports information director for the RRAC.

Galvan served as the RRAC's Tournament Director for the baseball conference tournament in 2010 and 2011 and also served as the conference baseball chair person from 2008-2010.

For University of the Southwest, Galvan has been instrumental in creating within the athletic department a culture of service to others. Galvan created the Mustang Volunteer Program which requires all programs to perform community service projects within the community during the academic year. Some of the contributions of the teams have included tutoring and mentoring public school youth; assisting local churches with community events; and collecting food and other items for distribution to the poor and needy.

USW President Gary A. Dill said he wasn't surprised by Galvan's honor: "Coach Galvan has a heart of a servant leader and an uncommon humility around his success. We are proud of Coach and grateful for his willingness and ability to lead our athletic department."

In addition to Galvan's philosophy of helping develop athletes into servant-leaders, he stresses the importance of student in the phrase "student-athlete." After finishing as runners-up two years in the RRAC for the highest conference grade point average, USW's teams earned the honor for the 2008-09 academic year. That same year, USW's athletic teams earned the Sportsmanship Award which is also voted on by AD's within the conference.

The RRAC's Athletic Director of the Year, is the second honor he's earned this year. He also received the Lea County-New Mexico Pursuing Victory with Honor Award which is given to the outstanding educator who has had a positive influence in the lives of young people.

For all of the accolades, Galvan says of the honors: "I am no different than anyone else and I know all Athletic Directors in our conference work just as hard as I do, but I am greatly indebted to all for recognizing me as the AD of the Year."

Galvan has been on the USW staff for the past 15 years and is a graduate of the university. He previously taught for the Hobbs Municipal School System. Galvan, and his spouse, Amber, have two boys: Ryan and Alex. Galvan is a Plainview, Texas, native.

University of the Southwest in Hobbs is New Mexico's only fully accredited Christ-centered university. A full member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, USW offers face-to-face undergraduate degree programs and fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs.