by Dan Ford

Coach Al Garten was the legendary coach at ENMU from 1936 through 1965. He saw the school grow from a junior college to a four-year institution to a university during his 29 years. Coach Garten is also known as a successful high school coach, although for just a brief time. He was born in 1906 in Kansas and graduated as a three-sport star at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. He came to Clovis in 1931 and acted as the assistant coach for another legend, R.K. “Rock” Staubus at CHS. After three seasons he went to Carlsbad as its head coach for two years and had a year at Hobbs as well.

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by Dan Ford

Every sport has a benchmark in its evolution.  Some sports, like baseball, are so steeped in tradition and statistics that change is difficult.  I think the designated hitter in the American League was the last significant change in our national pastime.  And that was in 1973.  Basketball has a little more creativity, spurred mostly by the creation of the rival American Basketball Association in 1967 with its three-point shot and the multi-colored ball.  Other than taller and taller players at the college and pro levels, and the elimination of the jump ball, basketball hasn’t changed much in the last 50 years.

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