The late Rich Alday, former head coach of the New Mexico Lobos baseball team and a renowned figure in collegiate baseball, will be posthumously inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The honor will be celebrated at the 81st annual ABCA Convention, taking place on Friday night. Alday, who led the Lobos to an impressive 515 victories during his 18-year tenure, is remembered as the all-time wins leader at UNM.
Alday, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 71, is among eight distinguished members to be inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame this year. The inductees will be honored during the Hall of Fame Banquet, presented by C&H Baseball. This year’s class also includes notable coaches such as Dave Jarvis (Belmont University), Dave Johnson (Ephrata High School), Costa “Pop” Kittles (Florida A&M), Charlie Migl (St. Mary’s University), Dunn Muramaru (Mid-Pacific Institute), Jim Schlossnagle (University of Texas), and Larry Turner (Owasso High School).
Current UNM Head Coach Tod Brown reflected on Alday’s impact, stating, “I had the pleasure of knowing Coach Alday back when he recruited me out of high school. Being in the Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor for him – he had an outstanding coaching career here and beyond. But Rich was also a Hall of Fame human being. He represented the program and the university exceedingly well at a crucial time.”
Alday’s coaching career is filled with notable achievements and milestones, including:
- A total of 515 career victories at UNM, adding to 1,302 overall career wins (combined from UNM and Pima Community College).
- The successful coaching of 11 All-Americans during his time at UNM.
- Recognition as a three-time Coach of the Year in both the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and Mountain West Conference (MWC).
- Leading the Lobos to a Mountain West Championship title in 2000.
- Holding the position as the second-longest tenured head coach in UNM baseball history, serving from 1990 to 2007.
- Achieving six 30-win seasons during his tenure.
- Being appointed as an assistant coach for the USA Baseball Team during the 1988 and 1996 Olympics.
Induction into the ABCA Hall of Fame represents the highest level of recognition conferred by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Eligibility for induction stipulates that a coach must have served as a head baseball coach and maintained ABCA membership for at least 15 years. Nominees are evaluated based on their professional and personal contributions to the ABCA, their influence on the advancement of baseball at various levels, and their embodiment of high moral character and leadership within the sport.
Founded in 1945, the ABCA stands as the leading professional organization for amateur baseball coaches, boasting a membership that exceeds 15,000 representatives across all 50 states and 41 countries. What began as a gathering of 27 college baseball coaches in June of 1945 has since expanded into nine divisions, including NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth, and Travel.
Alday began his coaching journey at Pima Community College in Arizona, where he accumulated 517 wins over 17 seasons, cementing his status as the all-time winningest coach for the Aztecs. After assuming the role of head coach at the University of New Mexico following the 1989 season, he continued to elevate the program to new heights, ultimately becoming the Lobos’ all-time winningest coach with his 515 victories while successfully steering the team through their transition from the WAC to the MWC.
Among his many accolades, Alday earned three Coach of the Year honors in 1992 and 1995 within the WAC, and in 2000 with the MWC when the Lobos secured the inaugural regular-season championship, boasting a remarkable 22-8 conference play record. His coaching prowess also earned him recognition as one of Tucson’s Top-50 Athletic Figures in the 20th Century, as designated by the Arizona Daily Star. Besides baseball, Alday also served as head softball coach at Ironwood Ridge High School in Arizona, leading the team to two state titles while achieving an impressive 107 wins and a .764 winning percentage over three seasons.
Alday’s Olympic coaching experience with Team USA is another highlight of his career, having served as Bench Coach for the gold medal-winning team in Seoul in 1988, and as an auxiliary assistant coach for the bronze medal team in Atlanta in 1996.
Rich Alday passed away on January 6, 2021, creating a lasting impact on both the UNM program and the broader baseball community. He is honored as a member of the Pima County Hall of Fame and the Pima College Athletics Hall of Fame for his remarkable contributions to the sport. Former UNM head coach Ray Birmingham, who succeeded Alday and is recognized as the all-time wins leader in the Mountain West, praised his predecessor, stating, “Rich was a good man and a good coach. He was everything a coach should be and more.”
Alday is survived by his wife, Norma, and a large extended family across Tucson and other regions. Tragically, during his time coaching at UNM, Alday faced the loss of his son, Ambrose, who passed away from cancer at the age of 16 in 1995. In memory of Ambrose, the Ambrose Alday Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at the University of New Mexico, and the hitting facility at UNM was officially named in their honor prior to a home game on February 23, with Norma and the Alday family recognized during the pregame ceremony.
Lobos Basketball Triumphs in Milestone Game
In a thrilling display of basketball, the New Mexico Lobos marked the 1,000th game at The Pit with an exhilarating 82-81 overtime victory against Nevada. Nelly Junior Joseph’s buzzer-beater sealed the win, maintaining the Lobos’ perfect record in Mountain West play and adding to the Wolf Pack’s struggles with a fourth consecutive loss.
The Lobos, now boasting a 12-3 overall record and a flawless 4-0 in Mountain West play, showcased a strong team effort; Joseph recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, marking his seventh of the season. Donovan Dent matched Joseph’s scoring tally with 20 points and provided six assists, while Mustapha Amzil added 14.
The game commenced with the Lobos establishing an early lead of 6-4, fueled by effective defense that created a subsequent 10-4 advantage around the 13-minute mark of the first half. The Lobos led 15-12 at the midway point and expanded their lead to 22-14 with eight minutes remaining. However, Nevada responded with a quick 6-0 run, narrowing the gap to 22-20, before tying the game at 28-28 as the half neared its end. Despite trailing by three points at halftime, Joseph led UNM with 12 points and seven rebounds.
As the second half unfolded, UNM’s offense ignited with early three-pointers from Filip Borovicanin and Amzil, propelling the Lobos to a 40-38 advantage. The lead exchanged hands multiple times throughout the half, with the game knotted at 62-62 as the clock dwindled to four minutes. Following a key layup by Dent, the Lobos secured a 70-66 lead with less than a minute left in regulation. However, after two free throws from Nevada, the final moments of the game proved dramatic, resulting in the Wolf Pack tying the game at 70-70, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, the intensity escalated, with Nevada momentarily leading 76-73 before the Lobos responded with a three-pointer from Noland. The contest remained tight, with the teams trading crucial baskets. With mere moments left, a court steal set the stage for Joseph’s decisive shot as time expired, affirming UNM’s triumphant victory.
Highlights of the Game:
- This win marks the Lobos’ best start to a Mountain West season, tying the record at 4-0, a feat last achieved in the 2012-13 season.
- Joseph’s last-second shot represents UNM’s first game-winning basket at the buzzer in over two decades.
- The Lobos transitioned to a shooting performance that saw them adapt after a challenging first half, where they failed to make a single three-pointer.
Head Coach Richard Pitino paid tribute to The Pit and its tradition, stating, “It certainly was a great way to honor a historic and amazing building. The building is great, but would be nothing without our unbelievable fans. I thought CJ made a big three late. The trap, when they didn’t have a timeout, was huge, and then Nelly got the steal. We were fortunate Nelly hit that shot at the end.”
Lobo Joseph’s outstanding performance and game-winning shot earned him accolades and further cemented his status as one of the pivotal players in the ongoing season.
Nelly Junior Joseph Named Mountain West Player of the Week
Following an impressive series of performances, New Mexico’s Nelly Junior Joseph has been recognized as the Mountain West Player of the Week, as announced on Monday. Joseph’s recognition comes on the heels of his double-double achievements in victories over Fresno State and Nevada, bolstering the Lobos’ strong conference showing.
This accolade represents Joseph’s second Player of the Week honor this season, previously receiving recognition in November after the opening week. With this latest award, Joseph becomes the first Lobo to receive multiple Mountain West Player of the Week distinctions in one season since JaQuan Lyle did so in the 2019-20 season. In total, Joseph’s career accolades include nine conference Player of the Week recognitions, having garnered seven of those during his time in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) at Iona.
Throughout the last week, Joseph excelled, averaging 16.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, while demonstrating impressive efficiency in shooting: 11-14 (78.6%) from the field and 10-13 (76.9%) from the charity stripe. Joseph’s stellar performance culminated in a dramatic game-winning jumper as time expired against Nevada, propelling the Lobos to an 82-81 victory during their milestone game.
Lobos Prepare for Key Matchup Against Wyoming
Looking to build on their unbeaten conference record, the New Mexico men’s basketball team is gearing up for a showdown against Wyoming on Tuesday night. The highly anticipated matchup is set to tip off at 8 p.m. at the Arena-Auditorium in Laramie and will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network and the Lobo Radio Network.
The Lobos currently hold a 12-3 overall record, with a perfect 4-0 in Mountain West play, aiming to secure their first 5-0 start in conference play in program history. The last time UNM achieved a comparable level of success in conference play was during the 1977-78 season, when they opened WAC play with a ten-game winning streak. Notably, Joseph was recently acknowledged as the Mountain West Player of the Week for his instrumental role in leading the Lobos to victories over Fresno State and Nevada.
Wyoming enters the contest with a record of 9-6, comprising a 2-2 mark in Mountain West play and is coming off a victory against Air Force. The Cowboys are bolstered by standout Obi Agbam, who averages 18.5 points per game. However, Agbam missed the last contest due to injury, which may impact Wyoming’s offensive dynamics.
The all-time series favors the Lobos, leading 80-72, though Wyoming is notably stronger during home games, boasting a 44-28 advantage in Laramie and 20-19 at the Arena-Auditorium. UNM will aim to defeat the Cowboys on their home court for the third consecutive season, a feat not achieved since 2012-14.
Following the Wyoming game, the Lobos will return home to host San Diego State on Saturday, with the game featured on CBS at 11:00 a.m., and the event will showcase a Stripe Out, encouraging fans to join in in displaying team spirit.
Lobos Women’s Basketball Continues Winning Streak
The New Mexico women’s basketball team maintained their undefeated conference record with a solid 68-59 victory against San Diego State. The Lobos led for 36 minutes of the game, showcasing a well-rounded performance with three players scoring in double figures.
Destinee Hooks was the standout performer, leading all scorers with 18 points, while recording equal scoring efforts in each half. Viané Cumber and Alyssa Hargrove each contributed 12 points, showcasing their versatility on both ends of the court. The Lobos’ defensive prowess played a significant role in the win, as they executed a strong strategy that resulted in 11 steals, with Cumber and Hargrove each contributing three.
The victory marked a significant milestone, demonstrating the Lobos’ ability to maintain control throughout the game’s tempo. UNM dominated points in the paint (42), managed a successful shooting percentage (44.1%), and excelled from the free-throw line (12-14 success rate). Their performance outmatched the Aztecs’ scoring average of 12 points below their usual output.
After a slow start, where the Lobos missed their first six shots, they quickly rallied, concluding the first quarter ahead 14-9. With Hooks leading the charge, UNM outpaced the competition in key statistical categories, including points off turnovers and second-chance points.
As the game progressed, New Mexico pushed their lead to double digits briefly, showcasing depth and confidence on the court. The Lobos strategically closed the game, maintaining their advantage through solid contributions from the bench and strong execution down the stretch.
This victory improved UNM’s overall record to 10-6, with a perfect conference mark of 3-0 as they prepare for the next home games against Wyoming and UNLV.
Lobo Women’s Basketball Team Set for Showdown Against Wyoming
With an impressive undefeated conference record, the New Mexico women’s basketball team is set to face Wyoming on Wednesday evening. Tip-off for the pivotal matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. at The Pit, highlighting an anticipated clash between two competitive Mountain West teams.
Entering the contest with a 10-6 overall record, the Lobos boast a 3-0 mark in conference play, while the Cowgirls hold an 8-6 record with a conference standing of 2-0. Wyoming recently claimed victories over Utah State and Fresno State, further intensifying the competition.
The two teams present several similarities in statistics, with the Lobos allowing an average of 64.5 points per game, while Wyoming scores 64.6 points per game. Both squads are performing well defensively, allowing for competitive gameplay.
Historically, the Lobos lead the rivalry against Wyoming with a 46-39 record, and they have proven especially successful in The Pit, with a 28-12 home record. UNM has won the last two meetings in Albuquerque, further fuelling a sense of pride as they aim to extend their winning streak against the Cowgirls.
Head coach Mike Bradbury’s squad has exhibited strengths in various areas, ranking high in several Mountain West categories, including field goal percentage and assists. The Lobos are eager to capitalize on their home court advantage, where they have outperformed opponents across multiple metrics.
Recognizing Academic Excellence: Four Lobos Earn Academic All-District Honors
The University of New Mexico proudly announced that four student-athletes from the Lobo football team have been selected for the prestigious 2024 Academic All-District® Football teams, as determined by College Sports Communicators (CSC). This recognition honors student-athletes who excel both on the field and academically, showcasing their prowess and dedication.
The honored athletes include punter Aaron Rodriguez, guard Baraka Beckett, receiver Kader Diop, and center Malik Aliane. Their selection as Academic All-District® finalists places them in contention for the national ballot, where Academic All-America® honorees will be announced on January 28, 2025. Both Rodriguez and Beckett are in the running for potential Academic All-America recognition.
Baraka Beckett was recognized as First Team All-Mountain West, having established himself as one of the nation’s leading performers with a ranking of No. 3 in pass blocking according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Rodriguez, a pivotal component of the Lobos’ special teams, ended his career with impressive stats, finishing second in career punts, yards, and average yardage, highlighting his essential role on the field.
Aliane significantly contributed by starting two games at center and participating in all 12 games during the season, while Diop made impactful contributions across various special teams units throughout the year.