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Jack Rushing

Playing offensive tackle and defensive end for head coach Ted Shipkey, Jack Rushing was a member of Lobo teams (1938 and ’39) that combined to go 16-5 and made the school’s first postseason appearance in the 1939 Sun Bowl. He was offered a contract to play professionally for the Brooklyn of the NFL, but World War II intruded, and Jack became a Navy gunnery officer who would see combat duty in four theaters of war.

Despite his recognized excellence as a Lobo football player, Rushing’s contributions to UNM athletics were probably more significant after his graduation in 1941. In his long career as coach and administrator at Albuquerque and Highland high schools, Rushing began and shaped the careers of an outstanding number of highly successful UNM student-athletes like Bobby Santiago and Joe Vivian.

Rushing coached football and baseball at Albuquerque High, and was responsible for introducing wrestling to the New Mexico high school sports calendar in the 1950s. Under Rushing, the Bulldogs won three state baseball titles and three state wrestling championships. More state titles came when he moved to Highland High in 1958, and he eventually became the Hornets’ director of athletics.

Rushing is a Hall of Fame member of the New Mexico Activities Association and the New Mexico High School Coaches Association. He was a lifetime member of the United States Naval Reserve Association.

Rushing was also a four-time president of the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association.