ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Eugene Canal, who has served for the past seven years in various communications positions at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida, has been named the Associate Director of Communications for the University of New Mexico Lobos. Canal will handle all facets of media relations for UNM’s nationally prominent men’s basketball program and UNM’s women’s soccer program. The hire is pending final H.R. approval.
Canal spent the last four years as the Manager of Athletic Communications at NSU, handling publicity and promotion for men’s basketball, men’s soccer, rowing, cross country and track and field while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the communications office. Prior to his time running the Nova communications office, he spent one year as a communications coordinator and one year as a graduate assistant. At Nova as various times he has also handled publicity for Sharks baseball, softball and cheerleading.
“We had a tremendous pool of candidates and we made a lot of calls around the country talking to people, and Gene’s name kept coming up,” said Frank Mercogliano, Assistant A.D. for Communications. “I think he will do a great job with our local and nationally media for men’s basketball, and for women’s soccer as well. I’m looking forward to Gene and his wife Jordan joining our Lobo family.”
Canal will start his duties at UNM right after the Lobo Howl. Canal takes over for Matt Ensor, who left for the University of Arizona. Mercogliano will continue as the SID for women’s soccer for the remainder of the season.
“I am excited to join the Lobos athletic program and help cover the illustrious men’s basketball program, as well as the women’s soccer program,” said Canal. “I want to thank Frank Mercogliano, coach Craig Neal, coach Heather Dyche and the rest of the staff for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to working with UNM’s accomplished student-athletes and helping the department develop Lobos 4 Life.”
Canal also has served as an assistant SID at Newberry College. He earned a Masters in Education with a specialization in Athletic Administration from Nova Southeastern and he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Religious Studies.