Oct. 13, 2010
It would be difficult to pinpoint any scholarship at UNM that had more impact on a team than the portion of the Abruzzo Scholarship that went to Lobo skier Malin Hemmingsson — a three time NCAA national champion.
Hemmingsson won an unprecedented third national title as a Lobo to pace New Mexico to runner-up honors at the 2010 NCAA National Championships. She also won national crowns in 2009 and 2007.
Hemmingsson was awarded a Pat Abruzzo Scholarship (women’s side). Thomas Schwab is no longer a Lobo skier, but thanks to the Ben Abruzzo Scholarship, Schwab will be able to stay in school and complete his education.
Hemmingsson’s accomplishments on skis and Schwab’s continuing education is a small testimony to the legacy of the Abruzzo family, which lost Ben in 1985 and apparently has lost his son, Richard, who went missing last month along with Carol Rymer Davis during a balloon race over the Adriatic Sea.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Abruzzo and Davis families,” said Lobo ski coach Fredrik Landstedt. “The Abruzzo family is great supporters of the UNM ski team and we have been fortunate to have them as part of our Lobo family. A lot of our skiers would not be able to complete their education at UNM, if it wasn`t for this kind of support.”
The Abruzzo family’s link to Lobo skiing comes naturally. The prominent Albuquerque family operates the Sandia Ski Area and Ski Santa Fe. Richard once flew down the snowy slopes as a Lobo, lettering for UNM for four years until graduating in 1987.
Ben Abruzzo also was involved in New Mexico real estate and operating the Sandia Peak Tramway, but he carved out international fame in 1978 when he was on the first team to cross the Atlantic Ocean by balloon. Ben Abruzzo died in the crash of a small airplane in 1985.
Richard involvement in the family businesses included management of the ski areas, which kept him close to a sport he grew up loving.
Abruzzo and Davis were competing in the 54th annual Gordon Bennett race. Meet officials lost contact with them over the Adriatic Sea. The balloon was equipped with satellite telephone, VHF radios, radar transponder, two mobile telephones, survival suits, lifejackets and two single-person life rafts.
A tribute to the two missing balloonists was held at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. A memorial for Davis has been set for Oct. 16 in Denver. Abruzzo, 47, and Davis, 65 won the 2004 Gordon Bennett race and the 2003 America’s Challenge gas race — one of Abruzzo’s five victories in that competition.
Lobo recipients of Abruzzo Scholarships have distinguished themselves on the slopes and in the classroom. The Lobo ski team is the only UNM sport to ever win an NCAA national championship.