NAU President John Haeger welcomed Lisa Campos, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics, and Jack Murphy, head men’s basketball coach, to the Lumberjack family at a press conference and reception this week at the NAU Skydome. Photos by Charlie McCallie |
The newest additions to the Lumberjack family were welcomed this week by Northern Arizona University’s men’s basketball team, cheerleaders, student leaders, faculty, staff and community members.
NAU President John Haeger introduced Lisa Campos, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics, and Jack Murphy, head men’s basketball coach, at a press conference and reception Monday in NAU’s Skydome.
Haeger said the addition of Campos and Murphy signals a new era in NAU athletics, and noted that the success of athletics has benefits that reach far beyond the university environment.
“Who wins—student athletes, the city of Flagstaff and northern Arizona,” Haeger said. “Athletic events are opportunities for us to come together, support our students and strengthen the bond between the university and the community.”
The selection of Campos and Murphy elicited praise from several members of the Arizona Board of Regents, which held a special session Tuesday to approve Murphy’s five-year coaching contract.
Ernest Calderón, board member and chair of the resources committee, applauded the selection of Campos and Murphy to leadership positions in NAU Athletics.
“This is positive and exciting news for Northern Arizona University as it continues to reload and move in its upward trajectory in athletics,” Calderón said.
The board unanimously approved Murphy’s contract. Campos’ contract also received unanimous approval during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting earlier this month in Tucson.