If you told an 18-year-old Jeanne Fairchild that she would have been an All-American player for her hometown team, you would have been met with some skepticism.
“You couldn’t have paid me a millions dollars to believe that I would have accomplished what I have,” Fairchild said. “I’m really proud.”
And, after a storied career with the University of New Mexico volleyball team that included being honored as an All-American and Mountain West Player of the Year, Fairchild gets to add another accolade to her already impressive collection.
A member of the UNM Hall of Honor.
|
|||||||
Fairchild becomes the fifth Lobo volleyball alumna to be enshrined the Hall of Honor, earning the distinction Friday, October 21, as the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association inducted its 2016 class.
“I think I had hoped down the road that it was something that would be possible,” Fairchild said, “but I don’t think I ever realized that it’d be something that could be so soon. I am really honored and really, really appreciate it.”
After a decorated prep career at St. Pius X High school in Albuquerque, Fairchild committed to play at the University of San Diego. She performed well for the Toreros, earning a spot on the West Coast Conference all-freshman team as she averaged 2.31 kills/set.
But, Fairchild, an Albuquerque native, didn’t stay long at San Diego, and returned home to New Mexico after her freshman season.
“I was really fortunate to have the opportunity with San Diego,” Fairchild said. “When I left to go there, I thought it that was going to be the right move. But when I got out there, I was really homesick.”
She returned to Albuquerque, but didn’t immediately join the Lobo volleyball team. After some time away from the game, she eventually accepted a scholarship from the UNM head coach at the time, Kelley McKee, to play for New Mexico.
However, McKee left in 2006 after Fairchild’s first year at UNM. The new Lobo head coach was Jeff Nelson, the former University of San Francisco coach who saw Fairchild back from her time at San Diego.
“I took the scholarship just so I could graduate college debt-free,” Fairchild said. “[McKee] ultimately resigned and they hired Jeff and it ended up becoming the perfect storm for me personally. I’m really lucky that it played out that way.”
In fact, it was lucky for both UNM and Fairchild.
 |
|
| Fairchild & Nelson |
With Nelson at the helm and Fairchild firing at the pins, the Lobos went from a mediocre team to one of the top squads in the Mountain West.
“Jeanne played a big role in helping the program reassert itself as a top program and become competitive in the Mountain West,” Nelson said. “… It was a pleasure to coach Jeanne as she was a big-time talent and a great person. She and her teammates worked hard for UNM and really bought into the changes.”
After 10 straight non-winning seasons, the Lobos turned it around in Nelson’s first year. Although Fairchild was limited with a stress fracture in her foot, she still made an impact, logging 477 kills for a 16-13 Lobo team.
“We knew what Jeff was capable of and we believe it and we just rode that wave with him,” Fairchild said. “… He created a culture with that team that was something that couldn’t even be explained.”
Fairchild made an even bigger impact during her senior year, powering the Lobos to a 22-7 record. She racked up 471 kills on a .297 hitting percentage, finishing the season ranked third in the nation in assists per set with 4.81.
“When I came back healthy my senior year, it was no-holds barred,” Fairchild said. “I was relentless. I wanted to make up for everything I couldn’t do in my junior year in my senior year.
“My experience was phenomenal. I think if I had a magic wish, I would probably go back and find some more eligibility somewhere.”
|
|||||||
She was named an AVCA All-American and Mountain West Player of the Year after her senior season, and finished her three-year campaign at UNM ranked third all-time in career kills (1,238) and sixth all-time in career points (1353.0).
“She was named Mountain West Player of the Year at a time when there were so many elite players and teams,” Nelson said. “She continues to be a role model and advocate for our program. I am proud to have coached her and thrilled for recognition as she is so deserving.”
The connection between Nelson and Fairchild helped fuel the Lobos’ renaissance, as Nelson gave Fairchild the support she needed to blossom and Fairchild consequently gave Nelson a veritable terminator.
“He was absolutely everything that I needed, coming from being really burnt out and thinking I was done with the sport,” Fairchild said. “… He pushed me because he saw something in me before I even saw it in myself. And I’m so thankful for that.”
With Nelson guidance, Fairchild continued to make an impact in the New Mexico volleyball community after graduating from UNM. She took a job as an assistant coach at the Bosque School in Albuquerque and, for the last three years, has been the head coach at her alma mater, St. Pius.
“Selecting her to the Hall of Honor was a great choice,” Nelson said. “She has been a great alum who has given back to the program and the community. She is a local who has really dedicated herself to New Mexico volleyball.”
And now, the university has returned the favor, placing her among the most famous names in the school’s athletic history with her induction into the Hall of Honor.
“To say that I’m an All-American and a Hall of Honor inductee and conference player of the year, those are things that I’ll have with me for the rest of my life,” Fairchild said. “I’m really proud of all of that for sure.”
Which, for someone who would have never believed it before she started college, it’s an exceptional accomplishment.