Open Announce

Former Athletic Director Dr. Gary Ness Passes Away

21588ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico family mourns the passing of Dr. Gary Ness, who served as UNM’s Director of Athletics from 1988-92.  Ness passed away late last week.  He was 76 years old.
 
“Gary Ness was a true Lobo in every sense of the word,” said Eddie Nuñez, Director of Athletics.  “From his time as a two-sport student-athlete in the 1960s, to serving as the University’s 10th Athletic Director in the late 1980s to becoming an associate professor and being inducted into the UNM Hall of Honor in the 1990s, Gary Ness left an indelible impression on this university.  The thoughts and prayers of the entire Lobo Family are with the Ness family at this time.” 
 
Ness served as the 10th Athletic Director at The University of New Mexico.  He was named the interim A.D. to replace Dr. John Koenig.  The department under Ness’s direction grew both in status and stature.  Among his many accomplishments were increased staffing in several areas and sports, bringing the Lobo Club under departmental administration and lobbying for tuition remission for scholarships, a huge savings to the department.
 
His time with UNM began as a student-athlete in the 1960s.  Recruited by former coach Marv Levy, he helped the Lobo football team under coach Bill Weeks win two WAC titles and the 1961 Aviation Bowl.  He also played baseball as a pitcher and first baseman.  Ness earned two degrees at UNM before earning his educational doctorate from Stanford.
 
Ness started his professional track as a graduate assistant football coach at Stanford before moving to North Texas, where he coached future Pittsburgh Steeler and Hall of Famer “Mean” Joe Greene.  Ness eventually joined the UNT faculty before returning to his alma mater in 1988 at the interim A.D., earning the full-time job a few months later.
 
After leaving the department in 1992, he returned to the College of Education as associate professor in 1992. He was inducted into the UNM Hall of Honor on his birthday, Nov. 7, 1996.  Services and funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
 

The University of New Mexico Athletic Directors
1. Ralph L. Hutchinson 1911-1917
2. Roy Johnson 1920-1949
3. Berl Huffman 1950-1951
4. George “Blanco” White 1952-1954
5. John Dolzadelli 1954-1955
6. Pete McDavid 1956-1974
7. LaVon McDonald 1975-1979
8. John Bridgers 1980-1987
9. Dr. John Koenig 1987-1988
10. Dr. Gary Ness 1988-1992
11. Rudy Davalos 1992-2006
12. Paul Krebs 2006-2017
13. Eddie Nuñez 2017-current