Western State College of Colorado

GUNNISON, Colo. – A national runner-up in the steeplechase and one of the most prolific scorers in Western State women’s basketball history are the 2009-10 recipients of the Paul W. Wright Award. Glen Watts and Amber Murray were selected for the award given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete.

The two were selected based on their athletic achievement, academic achievement, character, and their contributions to their team, school and self. The award has been presented to men annually since 1965 and to women since 1992.

Watts was the national runner-up in the 3,000-meter steeplechase this spring with 8 minutes, 52.15 seconds and was a member of the national runner-up Mountaineer cross country team in the fall. He has the fifth-fastest time in program history in his only season after transferring from East Angelia in the United Kingdom before the fall season.

Watts was a post baccalaureate student in environmental studies.

“Glen Watts made a strong contribution to Western State athletics in his year here,” said Head Cross Country Coach Jennifer Michel. “Glen came to us as with only one year of eligibility and finished as an RMAC contributor and a NCAA runner-up in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He made big improvements in his one season of running at Western State with a 13-second personal best in the steeplechase and more than 25 seconds in the 5k. In addition to his athletic marks, Glen is also a great student earning Academic All-RMAC and NCAA awards. Glen came to practice every day with a great attitude and a big smile on his face.”

Murray averaged 16.6 points per game in her two-year Western State career and her 929 points is the most for any two-year player in program history. She was a two-time All-RMAC performer and a two-time RMAC West Division Player of the Week. Murray led the RMAC West with three 30-point games and was among the national leaders for seniors in scoring. Accounting for her junior college seasons, she finished her collegiate career with 1,711 points.

Murray graduated this spring with a degree in business administration and marketing concentration. She will pursue a master’s degree this fall at Colorado-Colorado Springs.

“I am very proud of Amber,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Latricia Trammell. “She is very deserving of this prestigious honor. We will miss her and we are honored that she will always be a part of our Western State family.”

Paul Wright served as coach, athletic director and department chair at Western State from 1935-63. He served stints as head coach for every men’s sport and chaired the committee that established skiing as an NCAA sport. He was a judge and mayor in Gunnison and chaired the local chapter of the American Red Cross. In 1975, Western State named the gymnasium in his honor. Wright was a member of the inaugural induction class of the Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.