Portales, NM – April 19, 2024- Eastern New Mexico University announced today that the guest speaker for the spring 2024 commencement will be Steve Loy, the president of Sportfive Americas and a 1973 alumnus of Eastern New Mexico University.
“We are honored to have Mr. Loy return home to ENMU as the commencement speaker for our 146th ceremony,” said James Johnston, ENMU Chancellor. “Mr. Loy’s personal story and his tremendous professional success are a true inspiration to the Eastern family. I certainly appreciate his willingness to share his experiences with the May 2024 graduating class.”
Loy, originally from Albuquerque, graduated from ENMU in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and received a Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Utah.
After college, Loy began a successful career as a colligate golf coach and athletic administrator. Loy started his career at Scottsdale Community College as the head golf coach and a professor. He continued his career as an associate athletic director and head golf coach at the University of Arkansas, and finally moved to Arizona State University as their head golf coach. Since 1992, he has served as the president of Gaylord Sports Management, Lagardere Unlimited, and SportFive (presently the largest golf sports agency in the world, operating in 41 countries on five continents).
As a college coach, Loy was a three-time national coach of the year, coached three NCAA National Championship Teams, and his 1990 Arizona State University Men’s and Women’s teams were the only teams to win National Championships together in the same year. The dual-team win is the only time this has been accomplished in NCAA history.
When Loy moved into his management career, he owned and operated multiple golf properties throughout Arizona and is an avid investor in several businesses. He has coached or managed over 40 All-Americans, eight Ryder Cup players, seven national champions, four US Amateur champions, and two number-one professional golfers worldwide, including Hall of Famers Phil Mickelson and Davis Love. Additionally, Loy has represented some of the game’s superstars, including Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, and Davis Love, among others.
Loy has been inducted into several halls of fame over the course of his career, including the ENMU Athletics Hall of Honor, Scottsdale Community College Hall of Fame, NJCAA Coaches Hall of Fame, NCAA Coaches Hall of Fame, Arizona State and University of Arkansas Hall of Fame and the Sandia High School Hall of Fame.
Loy is married to Linda Bell Loy, a 1973 ENMU graduate and has two children and two grandchildren.
As philanthropists, Steve and his wife Linda support various programs, including Arizona State’s Sun Devil Golf program and facilities. Steve has also been a Board Member of the Sun Devil Foundation since 1993, whose purpose is to financially support Arizona State University‘s athletic programs.
Loy will speak at ENMU’s 146th commencement ceremony at Greyhound Arena on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. For more information on ENMU’s commencement ceremony, visit enmu.edu/Commencement.
