April 15, 2006
The University of New Mexico Alumni Lettermen’s Association has announced the 2006 inductees into the Hall of Honor, plus honorees who will be recognized at the awards banquet in September. The class of 2006 includes Kristi Albers, Matt Arnot, Chuck Clausen, Rudy Davalos, and Pauline Manser.
Also recognized will be Chuck Koskovich (Posthumous Award), George “Blanco” White (Posthumous Award), Henry “Kiki” Saavedra (Distinguished Service Award), Carlos Salazar (Distinguished Service Award), Jeremy Fishbein (Coach of the Year), Maja Kovacek ( Co-Female Athlete of the Year), Abbie Letz (Co-Female Athlete of the Year), DonTrell Moore (Co-Male Athlete of the Year) and Jeff Rowland (Co- Male Athlete of the Year).
Kristi Albers
Kristi Arrington came to the University of New Mexico as a young woman and played on the Women’s Golf team. As an amateur golfer, Arrington was a First-Team All-American and a three-time All-Conference player. While at UNM, Kristi won the 1984 New Mexico State Invitational, the New Mexico Amateur Championship, and the coveted Dick McGuire Invitational. After attending UNM, Kristi made some lifelong decisions. In 1986, she qualified for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, her first attempt, and in 1987 she married her husband Fred Albers.
Kristi considers El Paso her home base and presently represents Vista Hills Country Club and El Paso Country Club – although she travels quite a bit on the LPGA tour. After twenty years on the tour she has compiled quite a record of accomplishments. She started her rookie season in 1986 in grand style by tying for 23rd and recorded her first LPGA career hole-in-one. In 1988, she tied for 8th at the U.S. Women’s Open and scored her second career hole-in-one. In 1989 and 1991, she placed in the top 10 four times and in 1992, she had two second place finishes. 1993 proved to be a banner year as she became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the Sprint Classic and posted seven top 20 finishes as well. In1998, she posted her career round low of 62, and in 2003, Kristi crossed the two million dollar mark in career earnings. She posted her fourth career hole-in-one in 2004. Kristi also managed motherhood while playing on tour, and in 2001 gave birth to her first son, Austin.
Matt Arnot
Matt Arnot, a UNM gymnast from 1981-85, was a four time NCAA All American and, in 1985, was awarded the Nissen award He was also a four time WAC All-Around Champion. In 1984, Arnot was ranked 15th in the All-Around Olympic Trials. He had a long and illustrious career as a member of the USA national team from 1978-1985. Also in 1985, he earned a BBA from Anderson Schools of Management at UNM, and became the UNM men’s assistant coach.
The degree came in handy when Arnot opened Duke City Gymnastics in 1990. He owned and operated it until 2002 when he sold it in order to “dedicate my time to my family,” he said.
Chuck Clausen
Chuck Clausen, B.S., physical education, 1963, was a super wrestler and football player. He was also a super coach, coaching in more bowls than a soup kitchen can fill. He was also a Super Bowl coach. He got his start on the mat and on the field at Albuquerque’s Highland High School before competing in both sports at UNM. A heavyweight grappler, Clausen won more than 90 percent of his wrestling matches as a Lobo between 1960 and ’62 and was in the top 5 in the WAC each year.
A gridiron great, Clausen played center and linebacker in the 1961 Aviation Bowl and the Lobos came out on top. He played the same positions the following year when his Lobos were WAC champions.
A five time letterman, Clausen wasn’t coming to school just to play. He was equally astute in the classroom, making the dean’s list almost every semester. He served on Student Council and was vice president of the Student Letterman Club. Clausen earned a physical education degree, but also took the required courses for a major in psychology.
Following graduation, he coached wrestling and football at Gallup High School for one year before moving to Fremont, Calif., where he not only coached, but also earned a master’s in psychology at San Jose State. New Mexico lured him back briefly and he became the defensive coordinator for the New Mexico Military Institute.
Clausen coached a few more years in the pros – with the Atlanta Falcons and one year with the San Diego Chargers – but he’s discovered that commercial real estate requires the same kind of relationship building that sports demands. A highly successful realtor in Georgia, he’s in their multi-million dollar club and the leading edge society.
Rudy Davalos – Director of Athletics – University of New Mexico (1992-2006)
In his nearly 14-year tenure as director of athletics at the University of New Mexico from 1992-2006, Rudy Davalos undeniably elevated the Lobos’ program academically, competitively and fiscally. His accomplishments were recognized nationally in 2002 as Davalos was featured by Sports Illustrated as one of the 101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports. He also received the Dr. Albert C. Yates Distinguished Service Award in 2006, bestowed upon an individual who successfully supported, promoted and exemplified the ideals of the Mountain West Conference or a member institution.
University of New Mexico student-athletes were consistently among the Mountain West Conference leaders in the academic arena. The Lobos produced 86 MWC Scholar-Athletes during the 2004-2005 academic year, more than any other conference school. UNM student-athletes continually established new standards for semester grade-point-average, reaching a combined 3.0 or higher in the last eight terms of Davalos’ tenure. Additionally, more than 100 student-athletes received national academic recognition since 1993.
Athletically, in the 10 years before Davalos came to New Mexico only five sports had combined to win or share 10 conference titles. During his tenure, eight teams won or shared nearly 40 regular-season or postseason conference championships. UNM was represented at NCAA postseason competition more than 115 times, while more than 150 student-athletes earned All-America recognition for their athletic achievements.
In men’s basketball, eight of the Lobos’ 11 NCAA Tournament appearances came while Davalos was at New Mexico. Likewise, all of the NCAA Tournament showings for the Lobo women’s basketball program occurred while he was at UNM. Men’s and women’s basketball ranked in the top-15 in national attendance an average of nine times.
In football, half of New Mexico’s total bowl appearances were accomplished between 1997-2004. Season attendance records were broken seven times.
The UNM ski team won the 2004 NCAA championship, the first Lobo program to claim a national title, and was second in 2006. Lobo men’s soccer was national runner-up in 2005.
When Davalos started in 1992, the athletics department budget was $9.4 million. The Lobos operated the 2005-06 fiscal year with a budget of more than $22 million. Not one time during Davalos’ stay did the department fail to meet its annual financial obligations.
Pauline Manser
Chuck Koskovich-Posthumous Inductee
Charles “Chuck” Koskovich, raised in Canton, Ohio, was the oldest son of Joseph and Catherine Koskovich, of Zagreb, Yugoslavia. An avid athlete, Chuck was recruited to play football for the University of New Mexico. His tenure as a student athlete laid the foundation for a long and fruitful life in Albuquerque.
Chuck contributed his leadership and athletics skills as quarterback for the 1951, 1952 and 1953 football teams. The 1952 team earned a spot on the UNM Athletic Hall of Honor in 1993 as the National Defensive Championship team. Coached by Dudley DeGroot, also a Posthumous Hall of Honor inductee, the team continued to excel with several shutout wins over Skyline Conference teams. Other Hall of Honor inductees from Chuck’s squads include Larry White, Sam Suplizio, Jim Bruening, Mike Prokopiak and the Barney boys – Dave and Robert.
A competitive player on the field, Chuck was just as competitive off the field running for Student Body President. As only a quarterback can strategize his plays, Chuck was ready to make some changes in student government. But the gentleman he was, he graciously stepped down when it was ruled he was ineligible due to lack of only 3 credit hours. This didn’t stop Chuck from being involved as a student leader, however. Chuck was an active member of his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, when he ran for student council as well as Jack or King of Hearts.
After graduating from UNM, Chuck spent his professional career with Lincoln National Life, ACF Industries and retired from the Department of Energy in 1996.
Chuck had a passion for the Lobos, volunteering his free time with the Lobo Club and serving as president of the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association. As many athletes often do in their lifetime, Chuck volunteered to help youth in sports by coaching eight years for YAFL. He also spent several years as a board member of the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame and volunteered for the Heart Hospital in Albuquerque. Longtime friend and teammate, Dave Matthews, said, “Chuck faithfully represented and supported the University throughout his lifetime. He represented the very best product that the University could send to the community. The University should be proud that his name is associated with it as one of its alumnus.”
Chuck passed away this past April, leaving a void for the many friends and teammates who cherished his leadership, kindness and friendship.
George “Blanco” White-Posthumous Inductee
George W. “Blanco” White held the position of Administrator of Varsity Athletics and Intramural Sports at the University of New Mexico from 1937 until 1957. He was also the Assistant Dean of the College of Education and the Director of Physical Education and health. As Assistant Dean of the College of Education, he was termed the general manager of Athletics. His job involved seeing that there was more income at the gate than there was outgoing in the athletic budget, determining ticket prices, telling the fans where to sit and who sits where, and in general, keeping his finger on the pulse of the entire athletic program.
During his years at the University of New Mexico, he strived to bring the athletic program into prominence. He endeavored to engage the services of coaches with winning records and those with excellent academic qualifications, and also that necessary spark to motivate young minds. Like any athletic administrator, he had to make unfavorable decisions pertaining to the retention of popular coaches and other detrimental matters to the academic standards of the university. When directions came down from the top administration of the university, he was bound to comply with their wishes even then he did not agree.
All positions in the Athletic Department were under his leadership. As Assistant Dean of the College of Education and Director of Physical Education and Health, all academic and athletic personnel served under his direction. This included the position of Athletic Director that was held by Coach Roy Johnson. Johnson held that position from 1931 until 1942. He served in World War II until the end of the conflict in 1945. During the war years, George White maintained that position until the return of Johnson.
It must be stated that the athletic staff under the direction of George White kept the Lobo athletic program in national prominence by everyone helping each other in the coaching of all sports. When push came to shove, Blanco did what he had to do to keep the Lobos viable. When Benny Sacks was called to active duty, Willis Barnes took over the basketball program. One year later, White took over the Lobo basketball team, 1943-1944, and won the Border Conference championship, defeating Arizona and Texas Tech, twice each. White always felt that the winning of the Border Conference championship was his ultimate coaching memory. When needed, White performed all duties. He served as an assistant Football Coach in 1940. In the absence of Johnson, he not only coached the basketball team, but also the track team 1943-1945. After the war, he coached the tennis team from 1953 until his untimely death in 1957 at the age of sixty.
He enrolled at the University where he was the football captain in 1917 and also participated under the direction of Coach Roy Johnson in track and basketball after Johnson joined the faculty at the University in 1920.
Henry “Kiki” Saavedra – Distinguished Service Award
An avid sportsman himself at Albuquerque’s St. Joseph high school, Kiki chose to play baseball over football. Although he was tempted by seven football scholarship offers, he still remained faithful to baseball. And when it came time to make one of the most important decisions in his life, he chose to go to college over playing professional baseball.
Saavedra is solely responsible for the $2.7 million dollars of recurring money allocated to UNM athletics each year. In its twenty-six year history, Kiki has seen the allocation fund grow from $26,000 to its present amount. Kiki is solely responsible for the infrastructure and renovation of many UNM athletic buildings including: funding eighty percent of the Tow Diehm south athletic complex; allocating money for refrigerated air for the Tow Diehm complex; paving the parking lot east of the UNM football stadium (where the tailgate activities thrive); funding the recent renovation of Johnson Gymnasium; allocating money to build the Golf Course Pavilion at the UNM South Championship Golf Course; providing the necessary funding of the well and pump for the watering system at the Championship Course; providing the golf carts for the South Course; and most recently, the repaving of the parking lot at the UNM South Golf Course and an indoor practice facility for athletics.
Carlos Salazar-Distinguished Service Award
The longtime sports editor of The Albuquerque Tribune, Carlos Salazar spent 52 years at his craft, turning out a folksy and friendly brand of writing that made his column an afternoon devotional – and his knowledge of the local athletic scene absolutely unassailable.
Nowhere was this more evident than at the University of New Mexico, where for more than four decades it was almost impossible to be a Lobo without being interviewed by Carlos.
Carlos was an Albuquerque product through and through. He graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1943, served in the Navy during World War II and came to work at The Tribune after hostilities concluded.
It’s almost impossible to write the history of UNM athletics without finding the words of the man who chronicled its move into the modern age, Carlos Salazar.
Jeremy Fishbein- Coach of the Year
University of New Mexico head coach Jeremy Fishbein is entering his 14th season as a collegiate soccer head coach and his fifth year at the helm of the Lobo men’s program. Fishbein spent nine seasons at the Division II level before joining the Lobo program in 2001 and leading it to places never before seen at UNM.
In 2004, Fishbein and his staff put together the 15th best recruiting class in the nation, according to CollegeSoccerNews.com, and meshed it with a very talented group of returning players into one of the best teams in school history. UNM amassed a 17-1-2 record, defeated No. 1 Indiana in the regular season, won the MPSF title for the third time in four years and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. For his efforts, Fishbein was recognized as the 2004 National Coach of the Year by Soccer America Magazine.
As good as 2004 was, 2005 was even better. The Lobos tied the school record for wins with an 18-2-3 mark, won the MPSF title again and were ranked No. 1 in the nation for parts of the season. UNM was the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced all the way to the NCAA Finals. The Lobos also set an NCAA record for attendance with 3,629 fans per game, including a sold out crowd against Cal in the NCAA Tournament. Again Fishbein was honored with the 2005 Far West Region Coach of the Year and 2005 MPSF co-Coach of the Year honors.
The Lobos’ success has carried over into the classroom under Fishbein. UNM set a program record with a 3.35 team grade-point-average in the spring 2005 semester. UNM also placed four players on the 2005 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American squad, including Ben Ashwill, Brandon Moss, Jeff Rowland and Matt Wootton.
Maja Kovacek – Co-Female Athlete of the Year
This is the second year in a row that Maja Kovacek has been named as the female athlete of the year. She carried a double major in psychology and sociology while completing an outstanding tennis career with the Lobos. She played at the No. 1 position in singles and doubles for most of her career and became the only two-time all-America selection in New Mexico women’s tennis history. A two-time MWC Player of the Year and four time all-conference honoree, Kovacek was nationally ranked in singles play four straight years at UNM.
A native of Pula, Croatia, Kovacek earned Academic all-MWC accolades four years and was one of only eight regional winners for the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship & Leadership Award. She was named to ESPN The Magazine’s Academic all-District second-team. Kovacek’s list of accomplishments includes ITA Rookie of the Year, UNM Female Student-Athlete of the Year, Mountain West Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year, ITA Scholar Athlete and MWC Scholar Athlete.
Kovacek was recently selected as the Mountain West Conference nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
Abbie Letz – Co-Female Athlete of the Year
Abbie Letz played in 126 games with 80 starts during her four successful years (2003-06) at the University of New Mexico. During her tenure, the Lobos compiled a 95-32 overall record with four straight 20-win seasons, four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including the 2003 Sweet Sixteen, and the school’s first tournament victory away from The Pit. Letz was a member of Lobo teams that won three Mountain West Conference Tournament championships and two regular season MWC titles.
Letz was named third team all-MWC in 2006, setting career-highs in virtually every statistical category. She led UNM in rebounding at 7.5 a game and was third in scoring at 10.3 points a game.
DonTrell Moore – Co-Male Athlete of the Year
The two-time All-American was named MWC Offensive Player of the Year by the league media and coaches as a senior in 2005, erasing all doubts about his health by leading the conference with 1,298 yards rushing and recording a career-high 1,669 all-purpose yards. Moore had seven 100-yard games as a senior and ranked 10th nationally in ’05, rushing for a career-best 118 yards per game. He also tallied career-highs of 31 catches for 371 yards (12.0 avg.) and 3 receiving TDs.
Moore finished as the UNM and MWC career rushing leader with 4,973 yards in his 48 games (103.6 avg.), which ranks 13th all-time in NCAA Division I-A history. He passed several greats on the all-time list in his final season, including: Bo Jackson (43rd), Earl Campbell (36th) and Eric Dickerson (35th), Marshall Faulk (29th), Thurman Thomas (28th), Marcus Allen (24th), Mike Rozier (21st), George Rogers (15th) and Anthony Thompson (14th). Moore’s 51 rushing TDs and 59 total TDs are the most in school and conference history. He also threw a pair of TD passes and was responsible for a TD in each of his last 15 regular season games. Moore’s 356 career points is tied with Tony Dorsett for 11th on the NCAA career list for non-kickers.
Jeff Rowland – Co-Male Athlete of the Year
Jeff Rowland was a standout member of the Lobo men’s soccer team from 2002-05. He left UNM as the most decorated player in school history, going from a non-recruited walk-on to a Hermann Trophy Finalist during his four years. The two-time All-American ranks third in points (104), second in goals (45) and shots (239) and ninth in assists (14) on UNM’s all-time list. He also has five career goals and three assists in NCAA Tournament play.
During his senior season, Rowland led the team and the MPSF with 36 points on 16 goals and four assists. He guided the Lobos to the finals of the NCAA College Cup, scoring two overtime game-winners in the tournament. He was a consensus All-American for the second year and was also named 1st Team CoSIDA ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American and 1st Team NSCAA Scholar Athlete for the second time. Rowland was one of two finalists for the 2005 MAC Hermann Trophy given to the top college soccer player in the nation.
Rowland was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft by Real Salt Lake.