ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico baseball student-athletes, some holding cell phones to record the moment, walked into the Dennis Family Locker Room for the first time Thursday morning with the lights from their new lockers and a cherry light shining down onto the Lobo logo on the carpet guiding the way in front of the Dennis family and numerous others who support the program.
Coach Ray Birmingham and UNM dedicated the locker room to Dee Dennis Jr. and his family, a family who donated $300,000 to the project while also assisting in the installation of lights on Santa Ana Star Field in 2013.
“Today as Lobos, we celebrate a man that has made us better,” Birmingham said of Dennis. “He has knocked it out of the park. We win because of Dee Dennis. We grow as Lobos and as men because of Dee Dennis. … Thank you, Dee.”
Dennis’ son, Dee Dennis III, is a Lobo baseball alum that graduated in 2000 and helped UNM to a 35-21 record his senior season, including a 22-8 mark in Mountain West play to win the regular-season title. Dennis III, who with his father made the donation, is honored with a plaque in the locker room.
The Dennis Family Locker Room is part of the $2.3 million facility that was officially opened to the public Dec. 28 – but with the student-athletes on break (and not being allowed on the inside of the facility until its completion during its construction per Birmingham), Thursday marked the first time the players got to see the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse. Along with the locker room, the facility (the first primarily privately funded building on UNM’s campus) located down the right field line of Santa Ana Star Field includes coaching offices, restrooms, showers, a training room, storage and a player’s lounge. The building also provides a second-floor deck that overlooks the field.
Christian Tripp, left, and Johnathon Tripp sit at their new lockers at the Dennis Family Locker Room inside the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse.
The Lobos are coming off the 2016 Mountain West Tournament title and their fifth NCAA postseason appearance since 2010. The program is having success both on and off the field as Lobo baseball posted a program-record 3.26 GPA during the 2016 spring term – their eighth-consecutive semester of a 3.0 or better team GPA.
The Lobos open their season Feb. 17 at home against Binghamton in a three-game series that goes through Feb. 19.
To see all 26 regular-season home Lobo baseball games for the single price of $50 (less than $2 per game), fans can purchase the Lobo Pride Pass – which also provides admission to every home softball and track & field event.
For more information, fans can contact Lobo Athletic Ticket representatives Joe Gehling at (505) 925-1620 or visit the Lobo Ticket Office located in WisePies Arena.
Follow the UNM baseball team on Twitter (@UNMLoboBaseball), Instagram (@unmlobobaseball) and Facebook (/UNMLobosBaseball) for updates and information on your Lobos!