Otero College Dean: “We want to outwork anybody”

(LA JUNTA, Colo.) — Otero College’s Dean of Students is proud of students’ energy, enthusiasm, and hard work, academically and on the field.

Gary Addington is Dean of Students, and also Athletic Director at Otero College. He chatted live with Abbie Burke and Craig Coffey on Friday morning, June 28 about the unique culture and tradition of Otero College.

Addington started out as a softball coach and then jumped to baseball and athletic director and then became Dean. He believes in what sports teach us about life—character, integrity, and not giving up.

According to Addington, hard work is a core value for the kids and faculty at Otero.

“I mean, you go back and it’s just the culture, the tradition, the grind,” Addington said. “I think we’re like blue collar. Let’s go out and get it on. We want to outwork anybody. Our goal is outwork anybody, and then we’ll get good results from that.”

The sports programs at Otero College, Addington said, are about bringing the same can-do attitude to the field and relying on support and inspiration from each other.

“I think it goes back to the relationships and the chemistry and the grind, and they embrace the grind,” he said. “I mean, we care as faculty, staff, you know, and then coaches. And then [the students] care. They see how much we care. We kind of are the model, I guess. And if they can match our energy, our enthusiasm, our fire, they’re going to do well.”

For more information, watch the video above, or visit otero.edu.

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