Open Announce

A Legendary Class Announced for 2021 Hall of Honor

by Madison Baumann/Frank Mercogliano

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico Alumni Lettermen’s Association has announced that four individuals and a team; Ray Birmingham (Baseball), Joellyn Erdmann Crooks (Golf), Hunter Greene (Basketball), Clarence Robinson (Track & Field), and the 2002-2003 Women’s Basketball Team will be inducted into the UNM Athletic Hall of Honor on Thursday, October 14. In addition, Jerry Buckner (Football) and George Scott (Basketball) will be inducted as the 2021 Distinguished Service Award winners.

Along with the honorees, the 2020-21 Coach of the Year Heather Dyche (Soccer), Female Athlete of the Year Gwen Maly (Soccer) and Male Athlete of the Year Sam Choi (Golf) will be celebrated.

A reminder that fans can attend the awards dinner, which will be held on Thursday, October 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the Events Center at Sandia Golf Club. 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 inductees in the Hall of Honor for 2021.

Ray Birmingham (Baseball Coach 2008-2021)

  • A 43-year coaching career
  • Led three different colleges and universities to top-25 rankings
  • Over 400 wins with the Lobo baseball team, over 1,225 total collegiate coaching wins
  • Won 22 championships overal
  • Four Mountain West regular-season championships
  • Three Mountain West Tournament titles
  • Five NCAA Regional appearances
  • Helped raise nearly $15 million in facility upgrades at three schools since 1987
  • Led the ongoing development and execution of the $3.65 million expansion of Santa Ana Star Field
  • Inductee to New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame 2015
  • Joellyn Erdmann Crooks (Golf 1993-1997)
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 1997
  • Western Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference Selection
  • Bank of America Athlete of the Year for Women’s Golf
  • 1994 WAC Freshman of the Year
  • 1995 WAC Individual Champion
  • 1996 WAC Individual Champion
  • Four-time WAC All-Conference Selection (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
  • Professional Golfer LPGA Tour/Futures Tour

Hunter Greene (Basketball 1984-1988)

  • Bachelor of Communications, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 1989
  • 1987 Scoring Leader 35 games 740 Points 21.1 Average
  • Only Lobo ever to surpass 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals
  • Second all-time steals list with 203
  • UNM’s single-season leader in steals with 84 in 1986-1987
  • Senior Adviser, SVN/Walt Arnold Commercial Brokerage, Inc.
  • Color commentator for Lobo Basketball

Clarence Robinson (Track & Field 1963-1966)(Posthumous)

  • Bachelor of Science, Physical Education and Recreation, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 1966
  • NCAA Outdoor Champion in Long Jump and Triple Jump (one of only six men in NCAA history 1928-2016) to win both titles
  • Ranked No. 3 in the World Outdoor Long Jump
  • Ranked Nationally from 1963-1967 in long jump/triple jump
  • 1965 Two-time All-American
  • 1985 Inductee into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame

2002-2003 UNM Women’s Basketball Team

  • Team record 24-9, 9-5 in the Mountain West
  • Only team in Lobo Basketball history to make “Sweet 16” in NCAA Basketball Tournament
  • Defeated No. 17/16 Texas
  • Mountain West Tournament Champions
  • Lobos were No. 1 in the conference in scoring offense (66.8), assists per game (16.3), rebound margin (+5.3), blocked shots per game (4.2), 3-point field goal defense (.283) and defensive field goal percentage (.357)
  • 2 in the conference in scoring margin (+10.3) and scoring defense (56.5 ppg)
  • Jordan Adams led the conference in blocked shots
  • Mandi Moore led the conference in assists and in 3-point field goal percentage

Jerry Buckner – Distinguished Service Award (Football 1967-1970)(Posthumous)

  • Bachelor of Business Administration, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 1972
  • Three-time Lettermen for UNM Football
  • Lobo Football “First Team” Award 1970
  • Charter Bus Driver for UNM Athletics for 20+ years
  • Transported numerous Lobo Athletic teams across the country for competition
  • Developed significant rapport with UNM Athletics (coaches, staff and student-athletes)
  • Loyal Lobo Club and Alumni Lettermen’s Association member and season ticket holder

George Scott – Distinguished Service Award (Basketball 1982-1985)

  • Bachelor of Science- Sociology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 1985
  • Four-time lettermen for Lobo Basketball
  • Honorable Mention All Western Athletic Conference 1984 and 1985
  • UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association Board member
  • Executive in the Insurance Industry
  • Lead volunteer for Lobo Basketball Alumni group