Southern Utah University names university Hall of Famer as new athletic director

CEDAR CITY — Myndee Kay Larsen was a top high school basketball recruit out of Idaho Falls in the mid-1990s. After several visits to "larger campuses," she chose to continue her athletic career and education at Southern Utah University.

Today, Larsen is the newly appointed athletic director at the university, replacing interim director Tom Higbee, who took over last summer after Doug Knuth's resignation.

Larsen told KSL that returning to SUU "feels a lot like coming home," adding that she hopes to continue to make student athletes feel supported as she did.

"As a student-athlete, I visited many larger campuses, and many of them were selling me on how great their school was. As soon as I got to SUU, they made me feel like it was an honor to have me," she said. "The professors all knew my name, and it was a great experience."

Larsen was a center on the women's basketball team from 1993 to 1998. At 6 feet, 5 inches tall, she led the team in field goal percentage (.632) and blocks (251), having a record 618 season points and 90 blocks. She also set an NCAA record with 28 consecutive made field goals and still holds the NCAA record for single-season field goal percentage at 72.4 percent. Her performance at SUU made her the first women's basketball player in the program's history to have her jersey retired.

"That was such an honor," she said. "I put my heart and soul into my experience at SUU, and to be recognized by them was a highlight of my career."

Basketball was only one part of her journey at SUU. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in communication, which has served her well in her professional career. In fact, for the past 17 years, she has worked for the Summit League in many capacities, including her most recent role as deputy commissioner. There, she supervised men's and women's basketball, oversaw the governance structure of all sports, and directed all 19 conference championships annually.

"Myndee Kay brings a clear vision for the future of Thunderbirds Athletics and a strong commitment to the long-term success of Southern Utah University," said SUU President Mindy Benson in a press release. "She understands the importance of building lasting relationships, supporting students across all aspects of their SUU experience, and guiding SUU Athletics with integrity and stability during this important period of growth and transition."

Larsen will assume her role as athletic director in July, and she said the thing she is most excited about is getting to know the athletes and making them feel like they have a home at SUU.

"I can't wait to get on campus and meet the student-athletes," she said. "They have all worked so hard to get here. I hope to bridge the gap between campus and community. We can't retain athletes if we confine them to the gym and weight room.

"There is so much magic in this school and community," she added. "I'm really excited to sell the magic of SUU and make sure that students know we want them here."

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