PVCC Puma Press October 2002: Sports

After an extensive search for a new athletic director, Dr. Paul Dale, dean of Student Services, announced in August the selection of Greg Silcox as the athletic director for PVCC.

"Greg brings with him a wealth of experience and we're looking forward to having him work to further develop our growing athletic program," says Dale.

That wealth of experience includes 11 years as assistant athletic director at Glendale Community College and 18 years as head coach of the women's basketball team at GCC.

"I really believe that athletics can serve as an important part of the educational process, providing life-long lessons in self discipline, time management and coping with success as well as failure," says Silcox.

Silcox helped bring success to Glendale Community College's women's basketball team, leading them to three Division II national basketball tournament appearances from 1996 to 2001. The National Junior College Athletic Association recognized his accomplishments by naming him NJCAA District Coach of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 2001.

But just as important to Silcox was coaching 10 Academic All-Americans and six basketball All-Americans during his GCC stay.

"Each student athlete's academic achievement is a top priority with me and that will never be sacrificed for athletic achievement," says Silcox.

Silcox will focus his duties on attracting new student-athletes to PVCC by strengthening existing programs and adding new teams. PVCC added women's softball during the summer and is looking at adding men's baseball. Silcox said that athletic expansion is a "consistent and important component of the educational process."

He also acts as the current Region I Director for the NJCAA. Region I includes all of Arizona; Silcox is responsible for organizing post-season play for all sports and acting as a liaison to the NJCAA regional office in Colorado Springs.

Silcox grew up in LaCrosse, Wisconsin and came to Phoenix in 1977 to attend GCC. He attended GCC for two years, playing on the baseball team for two seasons.

He makes his home in Glendale with Denise, his wife of 15 years, and their two children, Andy, 12, who loves baseball and hockey, and Kaitlan, 9, who is pursuing gymnastics and dance.

Silcox is excited about the future growth of sports at PVCC and the new student-athletes attracted by expansion.

"I'm excited to have an opportunity to be a part of PVCC athletics and I want to reach out to local high schools and news services throughout the Valley and let them know about the quality athletic program we are building at PVCC."