For Immediate Release:
September 12, 2000
Contact: Derek Smolik, UTPA Sports Information Director
EDINBURG – The
University of Texas-Pan American announced on Tuesday the hiring of Mark Gaynor
as the school’s first-ever full-time Head Men’s Golf Coach. Gaynor comes to UTPA from Furman University in Greenville,
South Carolina, where he served as assistant coach.
Gaynor served as
the assistant coach to both the men’s and women’s golf programs at Furman,
including working with Hall-of-Fame Coach Mic Potter with the very successful
Lady Paladin program. He was
responsible for coaching the student-athletes, recruiting, setting up practices,
course management and traveled with both teams.
“I’m excited
about the opportunity to lead the program here at UTPA,” said Gaynor.
“It’s a great opportunity for me both personally and professionally.
I’m hoping to use my success as an amateur golfer to help lead the
program to the next level.”
Committed to
academics, as well as athletics, Gaynor also served as the Assistant Athletic
Academic Advisor during his four years at Furman.
His responsibilities included; monitoring academic progress, working with
marginal student athletes and helping to schedule classes for student-athletes.
“We are extremely
pleased to announce the hiring of Mark Gaynor as our first full-time Head Men’s
Golf Coach,” said UTPA
Athletic Director William Weidner. “Mark’s experience, credentials and true passion for the game
make him an ideal choice to lead our Bronc Golf Program.
Mark’s strong coaching credentials include solid Division I experience
at Furman University, as he contributed to a program that stresses both athletic
and academic excellence. Further
evidence of Coach Gaynor’s commitment to academic achievement is his attainment
of a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State and a master’s degree from the University
of Georgia. We look forward to
the continued development of our men’s golf program under his leadership.”
Gaynor played
collegiately at Michigan State University where he was a member of the Spartan
Golf Team. After receiving his
Bachelor of Science from Michigan State he moved on to the University of Georgia
where he earned his Masters Degree in Sports Management.
Gaynor continues to play as an amateur and has earned numerous honors.
In 1996 he was a semi-finalist at the Michigan Amateur.
This past summer he was the runner-up at the Palmetto Amateur in Aiken,
S.C. He participated last weekend
in the 2000 United States Golf Association Mid-Amateur, played at The Homestead
in Hot Springs, Va.
Gaynor replaces John Garcia, who served as the Head Coach for the Broncs for the last seven years. Gaynor will lead the Broncs into competition for the first time at the Gulf Coast Collegiate Classic on September 18th and 19th in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.