Aug. 25, 2011
The University of New Mexico Alumni Lettermen’s Association has announced that seven individuals: Alan Dils and Loren Dils (Tennis), James Economides (Baseball), Nao Ikeda (Volleyball), Ron Jacobsen (Wrestling), Guy Wimberly (Golf), and Jack McFarland (Posthumous – Football, Basketball, Track & Field) will be inducted into the UNM Hall of Honor on Thursday, September 29. The announcement of the honorees was made at a press conference at The Pit on Aug. 23.
Along with the honorees, who will officially be inducted at the Hall of Honor dinner on Thursday, September 29 at The Pit, the Alumni Letterman’s Association announced its 2010-11 award winners. Joe Franklin of cross country/track was named Coach of the Year, Amanda Best of women’s basketball was named Female Athlete of the Year, and Rory Fraser of cross country/track was the Male Athlete of the Year. Raymond Sanchez was announced as the winner of the Distinguished Service Award.
Tickets for the Hall of Honor dinner are $50 each or $500 for a table. Call the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association at 925-5905 for more information. The awards dinner will be held on Thursday, September 29 at 6 p.m. at The Pit Club Level.
Alan Dils (Tennis 1984-89, Head Coach 1996-present)
-15th season as UNM head men’s tennis coach
-WAC All-Conference 1987-1989
-WAC Doubles Champion 1987
-WAC Singles Finalist 1989
-Presidential Scholar
Loren Dils (Tennis Assistant Coach 1989-2009, Tennis Center Director 2009-10)
-Big Sky All-Conference
-Three-time Big Sky Academic All-Conference
-Lobo Tennis Center named Southwest Section Center of the Year in 2010
-Lobo Tennis Center USTA Organization of the Year 2009
-USTA Southwest Inspiration of the Year 2009
Alan and Loren Dils Combined
-Four-time Conference Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year
-Winningest Coaches in UNM Tennis History
-Ten WAC and MWC Championships as Coaches since 1996
Dr. James Economides, DDS (Baseball 1954-57)
-1956 Skyline Conference Slugging Champion
-1956 Skyline Conference Batting Champion
-Skyline All-Conference First Team 1957
-Western United States All-American 1957
-Member of Skyline Conference Championship Team 1956
-Four-time World Champion, 17-time National Champion and 38-time State and Regional Champion in competitive Handball
Nao Ikeda (Volleyball 1986-89)
-1986 UNM MVP
-1986-1988 Second Team HCAC All-Conference
-1986 HCAC Defensive Player of the Year
-1989 HCAC First Team All-Conference
-1989 UNM MVP
-Current Assistant Coach at the University of Minnesota
Ron Jacobsen (Wrestling 1962-64, Assistant Coach 1964-66, Head Coach 1964-80)
-1963 WAC Champion 177 lbs.
-1964 WAC Runner-Up 177 lbs.
-1961-1962 NJCAA National Champion
-1972 WAC Wrestling Co-Champions
-1972 WAC Coach of the Year
-1979 NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee
Guy Wimberly (Golf 1961-65)
-Member of WAC Championship Teams 1963-1965
-Won first WAC Individual Championship in 1963
-NCAA All-American 1963 and 1964
-PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame
Jack McFarland – Posthumous (Football, Basketball, Track 1926-28)
-Member of 1927 Undefeated Football Team
-All Far Southwest Team
-Named All-Time UNM Football Team by The University Alumnus in 1930 and UNM Alumni Association in 1946
-Earned Bronze Star and Purple Heart while serving for the U.S. Army in World War II
2011 Honorees
Raymond Sanchez (Distinguished Service Award)
-Member of the UNM Board of Regents
-Spent 30 years in the New Mexico State Legislature, 16 terms as Speaker of the House
-UNM graduate
Joe Franklin (Coach of the Year – Cross Country/Track)
-Named Mountain West and Mountain Regional Coach of the Year for Men and Women’s Cross Country
-Led the Women to 5th place at the NCAA Championships, the Men to 16th
-Led Track and Field to school record 31 student-athletes competing at NCAA Regionals
Amanda Best (Female Athlete of the Year – Women’s Basketball)
-Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All American
-Second Team All-Mountain West and Mountain West Scholar-Athlete
-UNM Team MVP (Shooting for the Stars Award)
-Rhodes Scholar Nominee and Fidelity Scholarship Recipient
Rory Fraser (Male Athlete of the Year – Cross Country/Track)
-2010-11 Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District Track & Field and Cross Country Team
-First Team All-American with a 6th place finish in 5,000 meters
-MW Cross Country Athlete of the Week October 5, 2010