July 22, 2008
2008 Special Olympics New Mexico Sports Auction and Golf Classic
University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach Steve Alford was the featured participant in the 2008 Special Olympics New Mexico Sports Auction and Golf Classic at Four Hills Country in Albuquerque this week. Coach Alford helped SONM gross over $100,000, more than tripling the amount made at the two-day event last year.
“I was an Olympian in 1984 and got involved with Special Olympics following our competition,” stated Alford. ” The Special Olympics was the first organization I contacted when coming to Albuquerque because I have worked with them for so long and wanted to continue to do that here. I fell that these are very deserving athletes and this is definitely something I want Lobo Basketball to continue to support and help grow each year.”
Alford served as the keynote speaker for the Sports Auction and dinner at Four Hills on Sunday, July 20. He entertained the crowd throughout the evening, big surprise came when Alford purchased various auction items for the Special Olympians in attendance.
The golf tournament was held at Four Hills on Monday, July 21, and included Alford, men’s basketball assistant coaches Ryan Miller and Chris Walker, Lobo Baseball coach Ray Birmingham, UNM Vice-President for Athletics Paul Krebs and the Lobos’ Senior Associate Athletics Director Tim Cass.
“Special Olympics New Mexico would like to thank Steve Alford and the University of New Mexico men’s basketball program for their help in the 2008 Special Olympics Sport Auction and Golf Classic” stated SONM Executive Director Randy Mascorella. “Coach Alford’s generous support and effort in promoting this event made it a tremendous success. We raised more than three times the amount from last year and are looking forward to seeing this event grow in the future with Coach Alford’s involvement and the support of the UNM Athletics Department.”
To get involved with the Special Olympics Sports Auction and Golf Classic next year, visit www.SONM.org.