For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

UTPA HEAD MEN'S GOLF COACH ACCEPTS POST AT NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPION

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American has announced that head men's golf coach, Mark Gaynor has resigned to become the head coach at NCAA Division II champion Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina.

Gaynor will succeed Jonathan Burnett, who stepped down after leading the Patriots to the NCAA Division II title this past spring.

Gaynor led the Broncs for three seasons. He led the Broncs to their first national title when they won the National Minority Golf Championships at Port St. Lucie, Florida in May, 2002. The Broncs finished fourth at the National Minority Championships this May. Texas-Pan American's golf team received national publicity as a result of each appearance, being shown on the Golf Channel each year they appeared at the tournament, and having their team picture in Ping magazine's annual yearbook after they won the title in 2002.

Senior Santiago DeLarrea was named second team All-Independent in 2002, the first such honor received by a Bronc golfer. Junior Rudy Celedon (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS), who led the NMGC for the first two rounds and finished in a tie for sixth place, was named second team All-Independent this past year.

"It was a tough decision, but I wanted to be closer to my family," said Gaynor. "I enjoyed the atmosphere at UTPA, it was a very close-knit group, and I enjoyed the support I received from the coaches and the administration. I'm also leaving a very good group of guys, and the hardest thing as a coach is leaving your players. I just couldn't turn down the chance to go back to South Carolina, where my family is. Most coaches will remember their first head coaching job, and UTPA has helped me out a lot, and has done some great things for me. Being here helped me grow as a person, and as a coach. Since I've come to UTPA, every team has stepped it up in terms of their level of play, and the next coach will have a chance to help the golf team get to the next level."

"We are very appreciative of Mark Gaynor's efforts in regards to the continued development of our men's golf program at UTPA," said Texas-Pan American Director of Athletics William J. Weidner. "Certainly, a highlight of his tenure was the capturing of the title at the National Minority Golf Championships by his team in 2002. Under his direction and leadership, a solid foundation has been laid upon which to build future successes. The opportunity to coach a national champion is a well-deserved honor for Mark. On behalf of our student-athletes, our entire athletic program and The University of Texas-Pan American, we wish Mark continued success in all of his future endeavors."

Before coming to UTPA, Gaynor served as the assistant coach for the men's and women's golf programs at Furman University, working under Hall of Fame Coach Mic Potter. Gaynor's duties included coaching and recruiting responsibilities for both teams, while handling all the travel arrangements.

Gaynor also served as the Assistant Athletic Academic Advisor at Furman, where he was responsible for monitoring the academic progress of student-athletes while handling advising and counseling duties. Gaynor's commitment to academics was an integral component of his building a successful program at Texas-Pan American.

A collegiate golfer at Michigan State University, Gaynor was one of the leaders of the Spartans' golf team. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State, Gaynor earned his Master's degree in Sports Management at the University of Georgia.

While continuing to play as an amateur, Gaynor earned numerous honors. He participated in both the 2000 and 2001 versions of the Player Amateur in Hilton Head, South Carolina. During the summer of 2000, Gaynor won the prestigious Palmetto Amateur in Aiken, South Carolina. He also participated in the 2000 United States Golf Association Mid-Amateur, at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia.

Texas-Pan American will conduct a national search for a new head men's golf coach, beginning immediately.

MG-23-03070903