The spectrum of emotions incited by the presidential election has perhaps never before been seen. Universities are often at the center of such political energy, with students of different opinions, backgrounds and beliefs advocating for certain changes to be made for their futures.
With fame comes power and impression. Many students across the nation have constructed legacies for themselves, pursuing careers in politics or entering politics using their previous career as a mechanism to do so.
Some, however, never enter the brackish pool of politics and instead use their name to promote a candidate, idea, or even awareness of an issue.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronald Reagan are examples of individuals who achieved fame through the filmmaking industry, using their notoriety as leverage to enter politics.
Athletes have also been known to make stands on issues that extent beyond the realm of sports. Here are a few of the more famous sports figures to have New Mexico ties
Katie Hnida
Former Lobo Katie Hnida was the first woman to score in an NCAA Division 1-A game, kicking two extra points against the University of Texas in August of 2003. She played for the Lobos between 2002 and 2004.
Today Hnida travels around the U.S. sharing her tumultuous but triumphant story of success. As a victim of sexual assault, Hnida also uses her experiences to educate people and promote awareness of sexual assault.
The University of New Mexico has produced a number of accomplished athletes that would go on to propagate awareness regarding a variety of issues. One of the athletes was a candidate for president in this year’s election.
Gary Johnson
Former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson did not compete for the Lobos, but his participation in activities requiring extreme amounts of endurance is nonetheless remarkable.
“Any day that I am not campaigning, I train an average of two to three hours a day,” Johnson said in an email to Runner’s World Newswire.
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Johnson has climbed Mount Everest and participated in a number of marathons and triathlons. He even competed in the Ironman World Championship at Kona, Hawaii multiple times, in 1993, 1997 and 1999.
Bill Richardson
Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (2003-2011) was also an athlete before directing his attention to politics. Richardson, a right-handed pitcher, played baseball for Tufts University, but did not pursue a professional career after injuries to his pitching arm.
The contribution and influence of local athletes is dwarfed by the collective impact of athletes from across the nation.
In past elections, political commentary from professional athletes was typically less pronounced. The 2016 election has ignited a fire within many famous sporting figures, prompting them to offer their thoughts on which direction the country should take.
Several iconic athletes — Democrats, Republican and Independents alike — have all seemed much more willing to publicly endorse their choice for president in recent months.
The implications of sports extends far beyond stadiums and training facilities. Athletes who arguably exists solely to entertain, thrill and inspire sports fans, have shown their impact could be much more.
Matthieu Cartron is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers women’s soccer. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @cartron_matt.
