Forrest Allen is in his second year as MC athletic director.

Former MC student now athletic director

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Posted: 4/17/09

By Iline Tang
Staff Reporter

Midland College feels like home for many employees because they were students before they were employees. A prime example is Forrest Allen, former Lee High School Rebel, who is in his 14 year at the college, his second serving as MC's athletic director.

"I first started off as the scholarship coordinator in 1995," Allen said.

In 1997, he became director of student recruitment for two years. He spent one year as director of workforce development before being named assistant athletic director/ sports information director, a job he did for seven years. In 2007, he became the athletic director.

Allen said five out six of the athletic programs are nationally ranked: men's and women's basketball, golf, softball and volleyball.

"I'm very proud with being associated at the level of success we've got here," Allen said.

"People don't know how much work it is for the coaches to recruit the kids and stay at a national rank each year," he said.

Allen is a Midland native and grew up with two brothers and two sisters. He said he enjoys cooking, reading and movies during his free time.

"I love movies," Allen said. "I've seen so many movies, but I never knew there were other classic movies such as Citizen Kane. It's an amazing movie."

In 1986, Allen earned his associate degree in general studies at MC. In 1995, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and in 2002 his master's degree in business administration at Texas Tech University.

"When I came to MC, I lost the taste to climb the corporate ladder to being rich and famous. I would rather make contributions to a program for 30 or 35 years," Allen said.

"I knew I would get a job here at MC," Allen said. "I just never knew I would have a career at MC."

Allen said after graduating from high school he took a year off from school and then came back to MC to take classes.

"My advice for students is to study for three hours each day," Allen said.

"Go to the library and study what you need to study," Allen said. "Block any phone calls or text messages and you'll get through."

Allen said he had to learn to use his time well especially when working on his master's degree.

"I worked at MC full-time and attended graduate school at Tech full-time while commuting 240 miles round trip to attend classes," he said.

"MC is just like home. School was easier when I developed study habits and when I learned to enjoy it," Allen said.