Mike Nyikos

After defeating RMAC rival Mesa State College 46-10 on October 16, the Orediggers took home a newly minted award, the Nyikos Cup. Named in honor of Michael S. Nyikos, chairman and longtime member of the Mines Board of Trustees, the award will go to the winner of the football game between Mines and Mesa State each year.

Nyikos was something of an institution on campus, beginning his tenure as dean of student affairs in 1979, and later serving as vice president of student affairs and external relations. He was a vocal advocate for Mines’ mission and strong supporter of its students. During his career at the school, he helped secure funding for renovations to virtually every academic building, and he helped expand the school’s athletics facilities.

At the time of his death last February, Nyikos was serving as chairman of the board of trustees and secretary of the CSM Foundation’s board of governors. In addition to his many years of service to Mines, Nyikos was a former vice president of institutional advancement for Mesa State and in retirement had served on the President’s Advisory Committee for that institution.

The award was announced by the alumni associations of both schools at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference fall meeting in October. A joint statement from President Scoggins and Mesa State President Tim Foster reads, “The Nyikos Cup is significant because it is inspired by the devotion of Dr. Nyikos to higher education, his contagious enthusiasm, spirit of fun and sportsmanlike conduct in every area of his life. This, much more than winning or losing, is behind this very special tribute to a very special man.”

Trisha Bentz Kendall