Aug. 15, 2006

BEAUMONT - With over 35 years of loyal and dedicated service to Lamar University, Senior Associate Athletics Director Paul Zeek is set to retire August 31.

To honor "Mr. Zeek", the university is hosting a retirement party on Monday, August 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Cardinal Club room of the Montagne Center for all those who want to come by and wish Zeek well on his retirement.

Zeek came to Lamar University in 1971 as the athletic trainer. In addition to his training duties, he also headed the "Specialization in Athletic Training" program that sent numerous graduates into athletic training jobs in the professional, collegiate and high school ranks.

"Seeing the student trainers I've had over the years go out and succeed in the profession of athletic training, and that's taking care of young people who get involved in athletics," Zeek said in reminiscing some of his fondest memories while working at Lamar. "After that, it's the student athletes I was able to put my hands on and help grow up while they were here and also, if they were to get hurt, that they left in better physical condition then when they came in."

With 35 years of working with Lamar athletic teams resulted in lots of fond memories. Some of the memories Zeek said stand out in his mind was the football team's win over Baylor in Waco during the 1981 season, the run to the Sweet 16 by the men's basketball team in 1980, the 22 championships by the track and field program, the volleyball team reaching the NCAA Tournament, the numerous conference championships and NCAA Regional tournaments by the men's golf program and the many trips to Austin for the NCAA Regional by the baseball program.

In 35 years, Zeek built up a lot of relationships and friendships that have made his job enjoyable, but none more so than Dr. James Shuffield, who was the athletic department's team physician.

"If not for Dr. Shuffield, I'm not sure what would have happened," said Zeek on the importance of his relationship with Shuffield. "When I came here, he made life great for me. I can't say enough for what he did for me. He told me when I got here if I would teach him sports medicine he would teach me orthopedics.

"He got me involved with going with him to Texas Medical Association meetings and I ended up getting on the sports medicine committee. I stayed on that committee until it was grandfather out as the longest tenured member because the doctors could only stay on the committee for six years. I made a lot of contacts and associations as a member of the TMA that proved beneficial over the years."

As you might expect, Zeek has seen lots of changes at the university over the years, both good and bad. "I've seen the university up and down and I've seen the low ebbs and high ebbs. I know for a fact that what has been accomplished in Dr. Simmons' tenure has brought the university to where it is today - an all-time high."

In addition to the university changes, Zeek's professional career also underwent a change in 1990 as he transitioned into athletic administration as the school's first compliance director. The longer he stayed in administration the more responsibility he accumulated to the point where he not only oversaw compliance, but handled the day-to-day operations of the athletic department.

Zeek was a 1989 inductee into the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Hall of Fame. In 1988, he was the recipient of the Frank Medina Award presented by the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association based on outstanding service to the organization, and he was recognized as the 1981 National Trainer of the Year by NATA. He is also a member of the SWATA Hall of Fame. He was a 1998 inductee into the Cardinal Hall of Honor for his service to Lamar University as the athletic trainer from 1971-90.

Having purchased a home in Boerne that gets him and his wife, Phyllis, close to daughter Karen and her two grandchildren, Zeek's not sure what lies ahead in retirement.

"When I get bored, I'll find something to do," Zeek said on retirement. "I have a few things in the back of my mind that I may do, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I might do nothing. I've spent the last 45 years with other people making my schedule - scheduling practices, games, travel, etc. This is the first time I can look forward to no one making a schedule for me. When I want to go do something, I can go and do it.

"I'm sure Phyllis and I will travel some while we can still get around. And we enjoy that. Being able to watch the grand kids participate in athletics is something we will enjoy as well."