Aug. 18, 2008
Story by Christa Martinez
Lobo Media Relations Assistant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Rudy Garcia walks into the media relations office around 10 a.m. He already has been working for about six hours. He looks tired and says his hours in the football equipment room — 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. — hit hard at his age.
In 1973, Garcia was doing laundry for the University of New Mexico football team and 36 years later he is still doing laundry as the team’s devoted equipment manager. Garcia is one of the first Lobos to arrive every morning. He gets the Lobos’ gear ready. The uniforms are neatly laid out from top to bottom, from helmets to socks.”I don’t want them to worry about not having gloves or socks,” he says. “I take pride that they are clean and dressed.”
Through the years at UNM, Garcia has seen many different coaches, athletic directors, university presidents and players come and go. He had open-heart surgery three years ago, but that hasn’t kept him on the bench. He is as active in the program as he was on his first day in 1973.
What are some of your duties as equipment manager?“When I first came here I was a laundry man (laughs). I’m still doing laundry. I’ve been doing laundry for 36 years. Mainly, taking care of the safety of the helmets and shoulder pads for the players. I make sure they are properly fitted, properly clothed for their position because every position has a different kind of a setting as far as shoulder pads and helmets. I make sure they are safe when they go out on the field.”
Is there any part of the job you find most satisfying?“I make sure that they are well taken care of and to make sure that they look nice as far as uniforms and even their practice gear, their jerseys and all of that is repaired.”
Has the job changed much since 1973?“Equipment changes for football. As far as the athletes, there is always the same athlete (laughs). As kids come from 1973 til now, there is almost always the same kind of attitudes and philosophy towards the game and their plans to get through school.”
How important is education to Lobo players?“Some are gentlemen that will go in the pros and make it in that kind of environment. But there are some where I know their education is important to them as far as getting through school. They love football and if that gets them through school, then that’s perfect.”
Have you noticed any drastic changes to the program with all of the different coaches and athletes who have come through?“Yes, well Coach Long was a GA when I first came to the program in ’73. He had just finished and started GA and was an assistant and now he is my head coach. It was great for me because I got to see him come back. But as far as all of the other coaches, well I have had seven since I have been here and maybe six athletic directors and I don’t know how many presidents. Now I see the old players’ kids coming (to play).”
Do you have a favorite Lobo player?“Terance Mathis. He was such a great player when he first came as a freshman. He started right off the bat. Then he started to slack off in school and we all ended up talking to him to get back into school, including me and everybody around his career. He ended up being an All-American, All-Pro, so when he comes back around and sees me, I know I did a little something to his life.”
Is there anything you would like to see this program achieve?“Well, recently we have done so well in football and it used to be the basketball team that was always doing well. Football is now being the best they can be, taking us to bowl games, winning the bowl game last year, that made it even better. I am looking for them to win a championship. That is what I want, a championship, just like the players do.”
Do you get to know the players on a personal level?“Yes. I am mainly their right hand, just to take care of them. I make sure everything is there for them on the road and when they come to the game everything is taken care of for them. All they have to do is get dressed. I put everything out for them.”
Sounds like you really take care of them?“Yeah, I don’t want them to worry about anything. Everything is taken care of.”
How long does it take you to get everything ready for them on the road?“Well, we go out a day early and put everything out, like on a Friday. Then on Saturday, we go in, we make sure all the jerseys and helmets are out and it’s clean and ready to go.”
Do you have a favorite Lobo team?“In ’82, we went 10 and 1. Those kids were kind of special to me. Since we went 10 and 1, we were at the top of the league. We didn’t end up going to a bowl game, but they are still special to me. Last Homecoming, they all came to visit me. They had a reunion and I got to see a lot of those gentlemen who are in their careers now. They are in great shape and they came to see me. It was kind of a special deal for me. When I saw them it brought tears to my eyes.”
Being on the inside, do you view football differently?“Right now, being around athletics and college football is completely different. It is exciting. It is one of the most exciting parts of my life. The people that have been here forever are gone. I lasted the longest.”
You have been around longer than anyone at UNM?“Yes I am the oldest out of the athletic department.”
How is your relationship with Coach Long?“When I first knew that he was coming back as a coach, we already knew each other a little bit, so we became friends. A friendship has always continued. Without him, I don’t know if I would still be here. He asked me to stay and that made me feel very good. We have a little summer deal with our athletic trainer Dave Binder and we have a golf outing every week. We play for a championship every year. Coach Long won this year and I am hoping to beat him one of these days. But he is a great golfer. We do have a great relationship as far as being a coach and me being just an equipment manager.”
Do you see yourself still being an equipment manager in 10 years?“Um, maybe not for 10 years, but Coach asked me to stay around, so I will. I could have retired 10 years ago. I just love the kids and just being around them. It makes me feel young — not look young, but feel young. That is what keeps me coming back.”
It seems like a rewarding career?“It has been the best. I couldn’t ask for anything different.”.