John Green Named new athletic director at GCCC (Audio)

Listen to the entire press conference

In a press conference,Feb 16, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., in the GCCC Endowment Room at the Dennis Perryman Athletic Complex, Dr. Herbert Swender, President of GCCC, announced that John Green will be the new Athletic Director at Garden City Community College.  John Green will replace former Athletic Director, Ryan Ruda, who was promoted this last November to Vice President of Instruction and Student Services/Chief Academic Officer.  Colin Lamb served as the Interim Athletic Director when Ruda was promoted in November of 2015.

“I would like to thank Ryan Ruda for his leadership in athletics and for advancing GCCC on and off the field and court over past two and a half years.  Also, I would like to acknowledge Colin Lamb for serving Garden City Community College in the capacity of Interim Athletic Director since this last November. I would like to thank Ryan and Colin for their commitment to quality and excellence.  I am pleased and honored to be a part of an organization that is getting things done right whether it is academic success, or success on the court or field.  This comes from the commitment and dedication of Coaches, Faculty, and Staff to make things happen”, said Swender.   Dr. Swender then announced John Green as the new Athletic Director. Dr. Swender said, “John brings with him a wealth of experience and understanding of the NJCAA—arguably, the most experience in the state of Kansas.”

John Green has 28 years of experience in collegiate NJCAA athletics.  His tenure includes serving as NJCAA Conference Commissioner and Region Director for the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC).  During Mr. Green’s administrative tenure he received numerous team, institutional, and conference awards at Frank Phillips College and Clarendon Community Colleges in Texas.

In addition to administrative experience, Mr. Green, has served as head coach at the Division I, NJCAA level in golf.  This includes six trips to the National Golf Tournament in 7 years as a head coach.  Mr. Green will continue his Head Coaching duties as the GCCC Head Men’s Golf Coach.

Among Green’s credentials are NJCAA Region V Director for 5 years, WJCAC Conference Commissioner for 24 years, Athletic Director for 14 years, Supervisor of Basketball Officials for 5 years, Supervisor of Baseball Umpires for 4 years, and a golf coach for 8 years.  Green has served on NJCAA Committees for Basketball, Golf, All-American Selection, NJCAA Poll Committee, At Large Selection Committee, as well as NCAA/NJCAA Panel.  Green has been the Region V Tournament Director for Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Baseball, Softball, and Volleyball.

In 2009 the NJCAA awarded Mr. Green the NJCAA Loyalty Award for the long history of academic and athletic success as well as upholding the high standards of the NJCAA.  John Green was also a pioneer for the Western Junior College Athletic Conference and Region V.  He has been credited for elevating the conference and the region to one of the best in the nation.  The WJCAC became known for being the “Pipeline to the Big Time” for conference athletes that advanced to the professional ranks. 

John Green has served as a catalyst and promoter to advance coaches and athletes to major NCAA athletic programs such as Texas Tech, Arkansas State, Tennessee Tech, Arkansas Tech, Indiana State, and Southern Methodist University.

John Green shared his vision for Garden City Community College Athletics, “The vision of GCCC Athletics is to be recognized as the premier NJCAA Athletic Program in the nation, exemplifying the principles and the values of quality and excellence, both on the court/field/arena and in the classroom.  GCCC intends to achieve elite status in athletics through unwavering commitment to integrity, hard work, loyalty, and discipline from the student-athletes as well as the athletic staff”, said Green.

John Green’s first event as head Athletic Director will be Wednesday night when Broncbuster Basketball takes the floor. Game start times have been changed. The Lady Busters will start at 6:00 p.m. and men will tip-off at 8:00 p.m.  It will be “White-Out Night at the DPAC.”   Fans are encouraged to wear white, and proceeds from the event will go to Relay for Life.  The first 300 fans will receive free hot dogs. Garden City Community College student-athletes will be honored for GPA achievements.  The Lady Busters are currently sitting atop the KJCCC D1 standings with a 14-2 league record.