By Sky Roberts
Although only being at Avila for a
year and half, Gary Gallup has made a tremendous impact on Eagle athletics. As
an athletic director since June of 2012 here at Avila, Gallup continues to
bring his positive outlook to the athletics and the university. Gallup has
always had a passion for all sports. He played both football and baseball in
high school and college. Gallup began at a small college—New Mexico
Highlands—and finished at Texas El Paso. In Texas, his interest in sports
broadcasting began. There, he was also the assistant athletic director. For
over 30 years, Gallup continued to do freelance sports broadcasting, and for 16
years he has been an athletic director.
“My favorite thing about being an
athletic director is the student athletes,” said Gallup, “I take pride in the
philosophies I have created. We have a family atmosphere here at Avila. I love
the staff and everyone is so great. It doesn’t even feel like a job because I
enjoy coming to work.” There has been an excellent growth in the facilities
since Gallup has been here. “I love the competitive nature in the athletes,”
said Gallup. He continues to watch all of the students grow as both athletes
and adults. Gallup puts an extreme emphasis on the athletes—and all students—in
the classroom. “College athletics is my passion. I view my job as creating an
environment of successful athletes along with successful academics. I strive to
set up my athletes to be professional individuals,” said Gallup.
He shows his dedication to Avila immensely
through the condition he faced in the first semester. Gallup had a heart attack—one
that threatened his life. Though, within 24 days, he was back at work, even
against his doctor’s wishes. “I went to rehab every day and worked really hard
to keep myself healthy through exercise and my diet, so I continued to show up
at work every day at noon,” said Gallup. “While I was in the hospital, I was
amazed by the staff and athletes that all visited and prayed for me,” he said.
Gallup knows that there was some kind of miracle through the prayers he
received, and thanks this family here at Avila for that. “It really shows that
we are a family here at Avila,” Gallup added. Gallup stated that he feels great
now, and if you didn’t already know about his heart attack, you wouldn’t even
guess that he ever had one.
Gallup is a strong individual who
has no fears. He does, however, feel strongly about his ability to do the right
thing, and never wants to do differently. “I always want to do the right
thing,” said Gallup, “It can be challenging and not the most popular thing to
do, but I strive to be fair and consistent. I don’t fear this, though, because
I always know I’m doing it.”
After years of sports broadcasting,
athletic directing, and finding his place in different schools, Gallup feels he
has found where he will end his career—here at Avila. “I am perfectly happy at
Avila. One day, I will retire, when I am no longer productive. When that day
comes, I’ll be on a golf course with a cold beverage in my hand and spending
time with my grandkids. I look forward to that. Until then, I will continue to
make a positive contribution,” said Gallup.
One thing that Gallup admires about
Avila is that things are always improving. From the different sports, the
academics, and Avila alone, Gallup is excited about the growth right in front
of him. With last year having three teams competing in post-conference
tournaments and even a team winning the national championship, Gallup knows
that the university athletics is constantly, and rapidly, improving. He also
believes that being an athletic director here at Avila has helped him grow. “We
are always improving. I believe that you can always get better, as long as you
are enjoying yourself,” Gallup said. He agrees that Avila athletics has made
both a tremendous impact on him and the university. “Athletics is the window
into a university. It teaches you life lessons to be competitive and part of a
team,” said Gallup. “I love all of the student athletes—they keep me young,”
said Gallup. “I love the staff and we all have each other’s backs. We are like
a team, just like the rest of the athletics. Avila is truly a family. When one
athlete wins, we all win. When one loses, we all lose—together.”
Gallup speaking at the 2013 football banquet
Gallup presenting senior cheerleaders Paige Snyder, Bre Evans, and Megan Linder
their national championship trophy
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