>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

PORTLAND — EOU Athletic Director Rob Cashell has been named NAIA Region I Athletic Director of the Year, according to a news release on the university website.

The award is voted on by the athletic directors in Region I — which comprises 23 institutions across five Western states, as well as Canada.

Cashell, who’s in his seventh year at EOU, has been instrumental in recent athletic facility development on campus, including the completion of renovations to Quinn Coliseum, the replacement of the track and field throws facilities, and the renovation and naming of Peggy Anderson Field.

Then there’s the successful teams and student-athletes.

EOU men’s and women’s cross country and men’s basketball each won outright Cascade Conference regular season titles. Women’s basketball split a title.

Eight out of 10 teams advanced to NAIA postseason play, including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and men’s and women’s basketball. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams reached the Sweet Sixteen of their respective national tournaments. The men’s basketball team made its first-ever NAIA Tournament appearance.

As a result of all these successful teams, EOU recently was awarded the Cascade Collegiate Conference’s 2007-08 All-Sports Trophy, which is given annually to the most successful athletic program in the 11-member conference.

Athletically, the Mountaineers had five student-athletes attain NAIA All-America status and 50 earn all-conference recognition.

Academically, EOU’s overall GPA for student-athletes through winter term was 3.01, with 91 student-athletes earning Dean’s List recognition, 15 attaining NAIA Academic All-America status and 20 receiving Academic All-Conference honors throughout the year.

 Cashell will be one of 14 region award winners vying for NAIA Athletic Director of the Year honors, which will be announced this fall.