When the topic of the University of New Mexico women’s basketball program comes up in conversation, the name Abby 
Garchek comes to mind. When it comes to who is arguably one of the best players to set foot on Bob King Court, Abby Garchek comes to mind. And when it comes to who was one of the most lovable players in the Lobo women’s basketball program, Abby Garchek comes to mind.
A Racine, Wisconsin native, Garchek came to the University of New Mexico in the fall of 1994 and made an immediate impact in her first season with the Lobos. She was nominated for the Western Athletic Conference Newcomer of Year and the All-WAC Newcomer’s team after posting a total of 265 points as a freshman. She started 21 games of a total 27, with a career-high 27 points against Utah that season.
As her Lobo career went along, Garchek improved her play to become one of the biggest scoring threats in the WAC and in Lobo history. She was a three-time All-WAC First Team selection that finished her career as the all-time leader in UNM history in points (1,836) and in the WAC with 921 conference career points.
She led the Lobos in her final three seasons in scoring and had the most 20-point games in a season with 15. She also set the record for points in a single season (666), beating her previous mark of 491 set in just her sophomore season. She is one of 12 Lobo players with 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds.
By Garchek’s senior season, the Lobos not only became a scoring threat, but she became a scoring threat beyond the arc. She was at the top of the list at UNM in three-point field goals, both made (164) and attempted (509) and also in free throws (392). She set a three-point record for most made in a single season with 84.
Her senior season was one to remember, as she went on to lead the Lobos to its first tournament championship in program history and first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. She earned WAC Tournament MVP after posting a record of 81 total points scored in the tournament and finished the championship game with 25 points and eight rebounds.
Following her stellar UNM career, Garchek was named the Hall of Honor Female Athlete of the Year in 1998. She went on to train with the LA Sparks in 2001 before playing professionally for a year overseas in Portugal. In 2002 she trained with the Detroit Shock.
Following her professional career, Garchek transferred her skills into coaching but is now currently focusing her time as a mom, spending time with her kids.
Abby Garchek will forever be remembered as one of the greatest women’s basketball players to set foot on the University of New Mexico campus, the one that made her mark in the UNM history books and a Lobo for life.