ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Class of 2016 inductees for The University of New Mexico Hall of Honor certainly has a championship feel. Leading the way might be the champion of champions, the 2015 NCAA National Champion Women’s Cross Country Team. Joining them as inductees are Jeanne Fairchild (Volleyball), Don Flanagan (Women’s Basketball Coach), Lisa Chiavario Henry (Track & Field) and Edward Stokes (Football). Also joining the inductees is 2016 Distinguished Service Award Winner Stu Walker, UNM’s long-time P.A. announcer who passed away last football season.
In addition, UNM will keep up the championship feel as it honors its 2015-16 Coach of the Year Joe Franklin (Men’s & Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field), Male Athlete of the Year Chris DeVito (Baseball) and Female Athlete of the Year Courtney Frerichs (Cross Country/Track & Field). Franklin was the NCAA Coach of the Year after leading UNM to its second ever NCAA title, DeVito led UNM to the Mountain West baseball title, and Frerichs won an NCAA team title with cross country and then the NCAA individual title in the 3000m Steeplechase.
A reminder that fans can attend the awards dinner, which will be held on Friday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque. Tickets are $60 each or $600 for a table of 10. Call the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association at 925-5905 to purchase tickets.
Below are biographical sketches on UNM’s five inductees in the Hall of Honor for 2016.
Lisa Chiavario Henry Sport: Track & Field Year: 1971-74
Educational Background
Graduated from The University of New Mexico with a degree in Health Education and Biology in 1974
Athletic Accomplishments and Awards
Represented UNM in pre Title IX competitions
Competed in the DGWS National Track and Field Championships at Eastern Washington University 1971
Fifth place in 100-yard dash
Second place in the long jump
Qualified for the 1972 Olympic Track and Field Trials and made it to the finals
USA Team for Long Jump 1972
USA Team for Pentathlon 1972
AIAW National Track and Field Champoinships1973
Second 200-meter hurdles
Third in high jump
Fourth in long jump
Pentathlon Women’s AAU National Championships 1973
Third place finish qualifying for USA Team
Professional/Civic Background
Longtime teacher for Albuquerque Public Schools (Cibola, Sandia, Eldorado)
Track and Cross Country Coach (Cibola, Sandia)
Track and Cross Country Official (APS and Rio Rancho Public Schools)
Jeanne Fairchild Sport: Volleyball Year: 2006-2008
Educational Background
Graduated from The University of New Mexico with a degree in Interpersonal Communication in 2009
Athletic Awards and Accomplishments
All-Mountain West Academic Team 2006, 2007, 2008
2009 UNM Hall of Honor Female Athlete of the Year
2008 All-American
2008 All-West Region
2008 Mountain West Player of the Year
Two-time All-Mountain West Conference Team
State of New Mexico Female Athlete of the year 2008
Mountain West Conference Player of the Week
UNM Awards
Ranks 3rd All-time in Kills
Ranks 6th All-time in Points (only 3 seasons)
3rd and 5th best single seasons in kills
4th and 7th best seasons points
4th best single match kills (30)
Ranked 3rd in nation in kills/set in 2008
ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District
Professional/Civic Career
Professional Volleyball in Puerto Rico and Croatia
Account Manager at Aerotek
Jeanne Fairchild Scholarship Endowment for UNM Volleyball
Participates in Volleyball Alumni projects and games
Don Flanagan Sport: Women’s Basketball Year: Coach 1995-2011
Educational Background
Graduated from Fort Lewis College with a degree in Elementary Education and Physical Education in 1971
Athletic Awards and Accomplishments
Coached UNM for 508 games as Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Holds record for most wins by any coach at UNM with 340
Guided Lobos to 11 consecutive winning seasons
Ten consecutive post season tournaments
Seven NCAA Tournament appearances
Mountain West Coach of the Year 2004-2005
Russell Athletic WBCA Region 7 Coach of the Year 2005-2006
Three Regular Season Conference Championships
Six Conference Tournament Championships
NCAA Sweet Sixteen Appearance 2002
2001 WNIT Championships Appearance
2009 WNIT Quarterfinals Appearance
Eight consecutive seasons of 20-win seasons
Top 10 Women’s Basketball Attendance
Upon Retirement, winning percentage of 67%
Professional/Civic Background
New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame 2007
Award of Distinction
Coach of the Year
2007 Governor Bill Richardson recognized “Don Flanagan Day” in State of New Mexico
Prior to UNM compiled a High School coaching record of 97% with 11 state championships and a 401-13 record in 16 years
Edward Stokes Sport: Football Year: 1960-1964
Educational Background
Graduated from University of New Mexico with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1964
Athletic Awards and Accomplishments
Associated Press National Lineman of the Week award 1963
WAC Lineman of the Year as a Junior
WAC All-Conference team Junior and Seniors year
All American Honorable Mention 1963
First Player to be awarded the Golightly Award for outstanding defensive player 1963
First player to win the Bill Brannin Award as the most valuable player 1963
Professional/Civic Background
Self-employed for 33 years as a custom homebuilder, designed and built luxury homes in Texas
Distinguished Service Award
Stu Walker Sport: PA Announcer Year: 1995-2015
Educational Background
Graduated from University of New Mexico with a degree in History in 1977
Professional/Civic Background
P.A. Announcer for Lobo Athletics for over 20 years
Started in 1995 working Lobo Basketball
Started announcing Football in 1997
Also worked for Lobo Baseball, Men’s Soccer, Albuquerque Isotopes
Manzano High School Teacher
Stuart Walker Scholarship Fund for UNM in Stu’s Memory
