Cindy Young Memorial to be held on Sunday

ALAMOSA, Colo.- Adams State College Athletic Director Dr. Jeff Geiser has announced that there will be a memorial service to honor and remember Cynthia (Cindy) Young on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the ASC Theatre. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Young passed away unexpectedly on May 23 at the age of 45.

As an assistant professor of exercise physiology and leisure science and ASC's NCAA Compliance Coordinator, Young was respected by colleagues and admired by students.

Geiser, who also serves as the EPLS Department Chair, had known Young since he first came to ASC in 1984. "We lost our best teacher. She was a dynamic professor who always put the students first," he said.

Although there was a funeral in the days following her death, this memorial is a way to honor Young and to celebrate her life with the students and the ASC community, many of whom were not in the San Luis Valley over the summer.

Born in Del Norte, Colo. on March 24, 1960 to Gerald J. Young, Sr. and Marjorie Schaefer, Young was a graduate of Monte Vista High in 1978 and went on to attend ASC, where she earned both her bachelor's and master's 'degrees in 1983 and 1990, respectively.

She began her service to the college as the equipment room manager and served in that capacity for several years before moving into the classroom as an instructor. Recently promoted to her position of assistant professor and awarded tenure, Young was recognized in April for 15 years of service.

Also the advisor for the EPLS Club on campus, Young was an active sponsor of the Special Olympics and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the CAPHERD Association. She was also a member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association and AAPHERD and served on the ASC President's Scholarship committee and President's Advisory Board.

Young was one of the ASC's most honored track and field student-athletes, having earned six national All-American honors, as well as a number of conference championships in the shot put and discus. Until 2004, Young held the RMAC Championship record in the discus throw with a toss of 145'4"set in 1982. She also held the school record of 149'2" for 24 years until it was broken a fortnight before her passing.

"I can't imagine this department without Cindy," ASC Associate Athletic Director/Sports Information Director Chris Day said. "She was a dedicated colleague and an exceptional instructor. Every student who knew her was impacted by her in a very positive manner."

Her influence on students was recognized in October 2003 when she was named Educator of the Year by the Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Aaron Ford, a former student of Young's, nominated her for the award. "Cindy was a great friend and teacher. She taught me to be the best leader and person that I could be by practicing those qualities herself," he said.

Young was working on completing her Ph. D. in physical education curriculum development through the University of New Mexico. Geiser said, "Cindy was one class away from starting her dissertation in development. She managed to teach a full load of classes and commute back and forth between Albuquerque and Alamosa to complete her degree requirements. Her commitment to her profession, Adams State College, and students will be her legacy."

Young will also be inducted into the ASC Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 9.


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