Gary Hines Gifts $1 Million to Athletics

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Gary Hines, a former UNM wrestler and successful business entrepreneur has presented to UNM Athletics a $1 million unrestricted gift, believed to be the largest unrestricted gift in department history.

“I feel very blessed that the community has supported all my business endeavors and this is my way of giving back to the university,” said Hines.

Lobo fans and folks in Albuquerque and New Mexico might not have known Hines by name, but they certainly know of his stamp on the area.  Hines, among his many business ventures, founded two staples of the restaurant community in the area, first with Twisters, and then after that, Stripes.

The lifelong Albuquerque resident and former Lobo wrestler and volunteer coach, Hines, 66, established businesses that have long been community staples, and that’s exactly how he feels about the Lobos.

“Lobo Athletics has always played a huge role in the community,” he said.  “It’s something that brings us all together.