Press release courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Commissioner Chris Graham is pleased to announce that Adams State University’s Larry Mortensen has been awarded the RMAC Meritorious Service Award.
The RMAC Meritorious Service Award is presented to individuals who have made significant and substantial contributions to the RMAC, consistent with the purposes of the conference.
Eligible candidates include institutional executives, athletics administrators, facility representatives, coaches and conference staff. Nominees must have a minimum of 10 years of service in the RMAC.
Nominations are submitted by the RMAC membership and selected by the RMAC Awards Committee.
“Larry has always been at the front of the line serving the RMAC and its student-athletes,” said Graham. “His participation, experience and wisdom has provided significant value to our work for many years. We congratulate him on this honor, and we thank him for all he has done for the RMAC.
Mortensen assumed the Director of Athletics role for the Grizzlies in 2007 while simultaneously coaching the men’s basketball team. The Athletic Department has grown tremendously during Mortensen’s tenure, expanding from 14 to 21 NCAA varsity sports and increasing from 350 to over 650 student-athletes.
The athletic facilities have also been completely renovated and updated under Mortensen’s leadership, with Plachy Hall being renovated and adding on a state-of-the-art weight room, locker rooms, and a new training room. Additionally, Rex Stadium has been completely renovated and a new outdoor track, along with an indoor track and field facility.
Adams State has also added a new baseball field, softball field, and soccer/lacrosse field in recent years. Mortensen added six sports during his tenure – baseball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, and men’s and women’s swimming – to grow the number of sports offered
The Grizzlies have had tremendous athletic success during Mortensen’s tenure, finishing in the top-10 in the Learfield Director’s Cup seven times, placing fifth for the 2012-13 academic year. During the 2012-13 year, ASU also won the RMAC All-Sports Competition Cup.
“We are grateful for Larry’s leadership and service. His commitment to student athletes and to Adams State University is visible in everything he does. He bleeds green and white and is a Grizzly to the core. I appreciate his leadership and sense of humor” said President Lovell of ASU. She goes on to note “All Grizzlies are very proud Larry has been selected as the 2020 RMAC Meritorious Service Award recipient.”
Mortensen, who graduated from Adams State with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1988 and a master’s degree in education in 1993, led the men’s basketball program for 12 years when he took over as head coach for the 1995-96 season.
RMAC Meritorious Service Award Recipients
Larry Mortensen, Adams State (2020)
Tom Spicer, Fort Hays State, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Mesa, Regis (2019)
Joe Folda, CSU-Pueblo (2018)
Dr. Stephen M. Jordan, MSU Denver (2017)
Joan McDermott, MSU Denver (2015)
