Lobo Football Mourns Passing of Jim Cromartie

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —- University of New Mexico head football coach Danny Gonzales and the Lobo Football program are mourning the passing of Jim Cromartie, the winning quarterback in UNM’s very first bowl victory, a 28-12 win over Western Michigan in the 1961 Aviation Bowl played in the snow in Dayton, Ohio.

Cromartie, who wore 17 with the Lobos, lettered from 1960-62, helping UNM to the 1961 Aviation Bowl and a 1962 WAC Championships.  Over his three seasons, the Lobos went 19-11-1. He also served as an assistant coach from 1965-67.  Jim was no stranger to south campus, often coming out to practice and to chat with coach Gonzales.

For all his accolades, it’s the win in the 1961 Aviation Bowl that made him a legend in Lobo lore.  In the 28-12 win that was played in a snowstorm, Cromartie rushed four times for 49 yards, and he scored the opening touchdown on a 3-yard run just 1:15 into the game.   That win was UNM’s only bowl win until the 2007 New Mexico Bowl when UNM beat Nevada 23-0.

Cromartie’s name still dots many UNM top-10 lists despite ending his Lobo career over 60 years ago.  His 18 wins as a quarterback is still second all-time in school history, topped only by Casey Kelly’s 19 wins.  Cromartie was UNM’s leading passer all three of his seasons, and his 84-yard touchdown pass for Herb Bradford against UTEP was a school record at the time and is still tied for the eighth-longest pass in school history.

In addition to his play at quarterback, Cromartie led the team in interceptions as a defensive back in both 1960 and 1962.