Football program urges fans to ‘Think Pink’
Mike Locksley has battled on the football field for 20-plus years, but nothing could prepare him for the news that his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Locksley’s mother, Venita Locksley, a fighter, survived breast cancer.
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She flew into Albuquerque on Wednesday to support her son and the Lobos when they played Colorado State during the “Think Pink” game at University Stadium on Saturday.
“My mother has been battling breast cancer since 2001,” Locksley said. “I can remember I was coaching at the University of Maryland when I first heard about my mom. The first thing that came to my mind when you hear cancer is: How long does she have to live? How bad is it, and how far along is she?”
UNM players will wear pink ribbons on the back of their helmets, and the coaching staff will wear pink polo shirts to commemorate breast cancer survivors in New Mexico.
A tailgate reception is set for breast cancer survivors before kickoff, and, during a quarter break, a short ceremony will be held to honor the survivors in attendance.
Melanie Royce, who is a clinician and associate professor of hematology and oncology at the University, said this is a noteworthy cause.
Breast cancer afflicts one in seven women in the United States, Royce said. Each year about 200,000 women are diagnosed with the disease in the U.S., and 40,000 cases are fatal. Nearly 1,100 New Mexican women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 220 of those women die, Royce said.
There are other women associated with the UNM football team affected by breast cancer. Lobos’ offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey’s mother and mother-in-law are breast cancer survivors, and defensive coordinator Doug Mallory’s mother is a survivor of the disease.
“To see the women, and not just the women, but to see the people who have been able to overcome and survive it — you know, those are tough-minded people, because what they go through puts a lot of this stuff we are doing out here on the field in perspective,” Locksley said.
Since 1990, the number of fatal cases of breast cancer has decreased, Royce said, and it tugs at the heart to see patients survive.
“Women who are survivors of breast cancer really give you a perspective to how devastating (breast cancer is), even when you survive it,” she said. “The journey that women have gone through, from discovering that there is something abnormal, to the diagnosis of breast cancer, through the treatments — for some women through their survivorship, they found out how difficult it was when they are freed.”
Thus, Locksley said, it would be a disservice if he and the UNM athletics program didn’t get behind the cause, especially since the disease has personally affected him and his staff.
“Seeing the strides that have been made in overcoming breast cancer are just amazing,” he said. “But there are still a lot of people who haven’t had the fortune of being able to overcome it like my mom has and Darrell Dickey’s mom and Doug Mallory’s mom. For me it was initially tough to take.”
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by velma
This smacks of a PR attempt to make this buffoon seem human.
by Cory
Locksley has no shame and will do or say anything in attempt to win back his reputation and the UNM’s fans. From his recent interview with ESPN (in which told reporters that he has turned to Tony Dungy as a mentor) to “My mother has been battling breast cancer since 2001,” Locksley said. While commemorating breast cancer survivors is always a grand idea; this is a total gimmick and I think everyone knows it. He is attempting to use Dungy as an out and people will say he is trying and changed. Makes it seem very insincere.
by Tim
Why does this grown ### man need another grown ### man to be his mentor? That would be enough for me to fire him, he’s suppose to be a mentor to the kids he’s coaching.
by We Will Not Be Fooled!
UNM’s Zipped Lips Simply Don’t Cut It
Just because top University of New Mexico officials declare they’re done talking about the Mike Locksley debacle doesn’t mean the story’s over for campus leaders, staff, Lobos fans and other New Mexicans.
UNM President David Schmidly and Athletics Vice President Paul Krebs announced they were done answering questions about the matter — even in the face of new disclosures that call the university’s mishandling of the whole affair further into question.
Regents President Raymond Sanchez backed that position on Tuesday when he declared there would be no independent investigation into “Locksley-gate” — allegations the head football coach punched and choked assistant coach J.B. Gerald, and the university’s subsequent bungling of the investigation that raises real questions of a cover-up.
Locksley admits putting his hands on Gerald but has said he wouldn’t exactly call it a punch. Sanchez, meanwhile, says no new information has surfaced to warrant an outside probe — that despite the emergence of new notes from an interview with an assistant coach who said Locksley had threatened Gerald with physical violence in an earlier incident and that players felt responsible for Gerald being mistreated. Sounds a bit like kids in a domestic violence situation who think it’s their fault daddy’s hitting mommy.
These were notes of interviews conducted by Shannon Garbiso, the Athletics Department employee responsible for handling human resources functions for athletics. Garbiso’s notes have a much truer ring to them than the subsequent made-for-litigation investigation conducted by the Human Resources Division brass and university lawyers.
The new information turned up around 5 p.m. Friday after UNM officials said they had inadvertently failed to turn over the back side of one of the witness accounts. They blamed it on a copying error.
The call for an independent investigation has come from several quarters, including the Journal and UNM Staff Council President Elisha Allen, who calls the matter “a local and national disgrace.”
Locksley, in an interview with KOAT-TV, didn’t help the hunker-down strategy when he said, when asked about calls for an independent investigation, “The only comment I can make on that, you know, is that President Schmidly’s comment on the investigation and the job that Vice President (for Human Resources) Helen Gonzales did was thorough and, ah, got to the result that they were looking for.”
Maybe Locks made a Freudian slip. Oops.
Schmidly and Paul Krebs deny they’ve cut a deal where Locksley bails out after the season. They seem to think silence will make it go away. Not likely.
Locksley-gate is now a national embarrassment. Perhaps this misguided strategy is based on the fact the situation has been mishandled in so many ways, from an initial investigation by the wrong department to the incredible shredding of Garbiso’s notes.
This week we find out Schmidly had not read the witness statements, yet was able to decide he was satisfied with the university’s investigation and Locksley’s punishment — a 10-day suspension that cost the coach about $29,000 in withheld pay. A spokeswoman says that’s not something he would normally do.
He does, however, reiterate he still has confidence in Locksley, Krebs and Gonzales.
Locksley’s temper gave UNM a black eye, but university brass has turned it into a festering wound. It’s shameful and a slap in the face of taxpayers who foot the bill and deserve forthright leadership of the state’s flagship university.
A full investigation of the entire affair is in order.
As for Locksley, Schmidly and Krebs, they are paid a combined $1.75 million in public money. They should keep answering questions until New Mexicans are satisfied their answers are giving them their money’s worth.
by Parent
I was of the apparently naive belief that the UNM Athletics Department valued the principle of winning through hard work, teamwork and determination, and that instilling these values serves student athletes well, long after which team has won a particular ball game has been forgotten. Instead, Locksley chooses intimidation over teamwork, profanity and assault over reason, and he models this behavior for his assistant coaches and student athletes. Shameful!
by Boycott UNM's Athletics
Locksley’s credibility and image has suffered; so has the UNM’s administration. He openly lied about the assault on his assistant; as was revealed in his interview with ESPN OutSide the Lines. UNM’s administrator’s AD-Krebs, President-Schmidly, HR President-Gonzales and Investigator- Garbiso went along with the lie; by actively covering up and destroying documents pertaining to the assault. There is no way to regain the trust of, campus leaders, staff, Lobos fans and other New Mexicans, but to tell the truth and approve an independent investigation into this matter. No Public Relation move can help this corruption administration.
by Offsides
The Regents and the Administration have locked arms (no pun intended) and are telling the University, community and state that Locksley is staying until his contract runs out. My guess is that they think everybody will get tired of complaining about them, the situation they have created and by next year this will be old news.
The punching incident may become old news by next November but the subsequent cover up will linger like a bad taste in our collective mouths forever. The regents and administration have disgraced this University and the world knows it. Why would a potential recruit want to come here? Why would a potential student not at least explore other options before coming here?
UNM is now known to world as the University run by thugs and mobsters. As an alumnus I certainly won’t be donating anymore money to this University until this board of regents and this administration have packed their bags and left.
I have always been fan of the Lobo football team and do not wish any ill will towards them. Part of me would like to see those seniors and assistant coaches get that victory on Saturday, but the other part of me doesn’t want Locksley or the UNM administration to bask in any of the glory that a victory would bring. In my mind even if the team wins, the head coach, the UNM president, the UNM athletic director and the board of regents will still be losers.
by Hit Them Where It Hurts!
Corruption, deceit and scandals are definitely a huge part of NM politics and emit straight from the Richardson administration. UNM’s leaders like Dave Schmidly and David Harris are appointed by Richardson. They continue to exhibit; profound incompetence in all aspects of UNM administration. A boycott of men’s games and withholding athletics fees would be a huge financial hit. This will send a clear message that we will not tolerate this immoral behavior from our leaders.
by Frank
AD-Paul Krebs hired Lose-ley; they both should be fired for the shame that they brought on our university. His inability to too foster a cooperative work environment; violent temper and lack of self control has caused national media attention of the wrong kind to the UNM. There won’t be a recruit coming within ten miles of our university.
by No Confidence Vote for Krebs
UNM Student Leaders Set Stage for Krebs No-Confidence Vote
Graduate student leaders at the University of New Mexico are laying the groundwork for a no-confidence vote in Athletics Vice President Paul Krebs over his handling of the Mike Locksley altercation.
UNM’s Graduate and Professional Student Association plans to meet Nov. 23 to set the dates for a special election for all graduate students, the group announced in a news release.
UNM President David Schmidly declined to comment.
Among other items that might be on the ballot are:
n A question on whether $1.5 million in student fees that now goes to athletics should be reallocated.
n A call for changing UNM policy so the graduate student group could appoint a voting member to future selection committees for the VP for athletics position.
The votes would be largely symbolic. Ultimately, the university’s administration and regents have final say on Krebs’ fate, how student fees are spent and whether graduate students should be represented on selection committees.
The call for the special election is the latest fallout from UNM’s handling of a Sept. 20 encounter between head football coach Locksley and assistant coach J.B. Gerald. UNM officials have admitted to mistakes in how the matter was handled but deny there was an attempt at a cover-up.
Graduate students also have raised concerns about the play of UNM soccer player Elizabeth Lambert, who was caught on tape yanking an opponent to the ground by her hair.
“The recent coverup of the Locksley-Gerald incident coupled with the egregious lack of sportsmanship displayed by Lambert exemplifies a lack of leadership within the UNM Athletics Department. …” association President Lissa Knudsen said in the release. “It’s time for the students to weigh in on this.”
by Staff
While I agree that mentoring can be worth while in most cases; as is the commemoration of breast cancer survivors; I believe that in this case Locksley is trying to save face. To have another coach to need a mentor is a bit weak. This is another scheme to distract fans away from the real issues; the cover up and subsequent destruction of documents pertaining to his assault on the assistant coach.
by Dave
The problem I have is I only see people who are in trouble reaching out to him (Tony Dungy) as a last refuge; it appears counterfeit. Locksley’s explosive behavior has not only tarnished his reputation, but has placed a nasty stain on our university. The manner in which AD Krebs and the UNM administration handled the assault only served to add too the media frenzy. I can not support UNM athletics under these conditions.
by Taxpayer
I will not be a part of helping the UNM’s deceitful administration. I refuse to give my money or time to this ruthless group of degenerates.
by For the athletes
Look, I want Locksley fired! He really needs to go – he is a disgrace to the football team, UNM and the community. The fact that he is a leader to our student athletes is upsetting at best – I don’t want our athletes to follow his lead!
HOWEVER, I don’t think it is appropriate to link the fact that honoring breast cancer survivors to the Locksley “bungling” is appropriate! Honor these women!
by Kleibold
I seriously doubt many breast cancer survivors, suffers or their families would want to be associated with an abusive, violent, sexist, two-faced individual like Mike Locksley. The best way to honor these women (and men too) is to have absolutely nothing to do with Locksley or his handlers and apologists Krebs and Schmidley.
If the KKK held a breast cancer rally, they would still be racists hicks. Locksley, Krebs and Schimdley are still incompetent managers, complicit in cover ups, abusive to other and more than willing to hurt others for their own and their small circle of power broker’s gain.
by Grad Student
Okay, this article shows the thug Locksley, the idiot Schmidly, the crock Krebs and chicken neck Gonzales’s total desperation; they will use any method to win back the support of the UNM’s community (with the exception of tell the truth.) Sorry, it is not working you should have done the right thing in the beginning; instead you chose too lie, cover up and destroy documents. I will never be supportive of your administration; you are incompetence, liars and a total disgrace to our university. Do us all a favor and leave; that’s when I will purchase another ticket for a UNM sporting event!
by Pearl
Locksley’s a loser, a coach needs a mentor, what a joke, his team is laughing big time behind his back; he has to go! And I won’t even comment on this breast cancer commemoration.
by June
What a demented way for Locksley and the worthless UNM administration to go about trying to save face. I have loved ones (friends and family) that are cancer survivors; and some that have succumb to this devastating disease. Yet I would consider this a mere farce. The UNM administration/athletics department is trying to stop the steadily increasing boycott of the UNM’s athletics.
by Alumni
I am shocked by the conduct of coach Locksley and appalled by the weak reaction of the UNM administration; to acts of intimidation, violence and subsequent cover up; at the state’s flagship institution of higher education. Coach Locksley ‘s behavior was demoralizing to all who may have witnessed this embarrassing spectacle, and it is little wonder that the Lobos continue their downward spiral of mounting losses on the field.
by Another Parent
Mike Locksley is a sociopath: Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature Rage and Abuse; No concern for their impact on others; Manipulative and Conning Verbal Outbursts and Physical Punishments are normal. They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises. My question is can we afford to allow a man like Mike Locksley to direct our children? What is even more alarming is that the UNM’s administration is an accomplice; they are profoundly demented.
by Concerned Parent/UNM Alumnus
As a parent of two UNM students and as a UNM alumnus, I too am deeply concerned with the way in which the administration and the regents chose to handle coach Locksley‘s assault on a member of his staff. Many state agencies have implemented a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence and sexual harassment in recognition of the destructive consequences of this behavior, but apparently commonly recognized rules of workplace conduct and decorum do not apply in the la-la land of high-finance UNM athletics.
by Sign up now to FIRE LOCKS!
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MIKE LOCKSLEY IS IN OVER HIS HEAD
• New Mexico finished the season 1-11, its worst record since the 1980’s. Many of those losses were blowouts.
• Coach Locksley admitted striking an assistant coach during a “physical altercation”.
• As of 10-10-09, Locksley had been blown out in 5 out of 6 games.
• Loss at home to undermanned and less talented NMSU squad.
• Poor leadership and example for student athletes — physical violence in the workplace.
• Talented recruiting class not yet in the works, despite Locksley’s supposed expertise as recruiter.
• Rapid decline in football game attendance, and general apathy toward program under Locksley.
• Segment by ESPN Outside the Lines alleges cover up and previous anger management issues.
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Despite big promises and big words, University of New Mexico Lobo head football coach Mike Locksley delivered only a single victory in 2009, at a cost of $750,000 to the taxpayers of New Mexico. That’s right, $750,000 per victory — what a bargain. The Lobos finished near the bottom of the NCAA in most important offensive and defensive statistical categories — so much for Locksley’s bragging assertion that another number would need to be added to the scoreboard — if it was needed, it was needed on the opposing team’s side this year. Coach Locksley was hit with an EEOC complaint earlier in 2009 that has now been settled, with his former employee being given a newly created, higher-paying position, back pay, lifetime season tickets to UNM sporting events, and an undisclosed, behind the scenes settlement. Coach Mike Locksley has admitted to striking assistant coach J.B. Gerald in a “physical altercation”, and it appears possible that this incident may result in a lawsuit against UNM, as Coach Gerald has opted to leave the team, and retain an attorney. Locksley has also failed to land the recruits he could supposedly deliver, losing two of his top three recruits in 2009 to their failure to qualify. Another one of Locksley’s highly touted recruits briefly left the program and returned because of the controversy surrounding the gerald situation.
The University of New Mexico pays Coach Mike Locksley $750,000 annually, or approximately $14,423.08 per week. Has Coach Mike Locksley done anything to demonstrate that he is qualified to be a head football coach at this level? Is Mike Locksley representative of the values of the University of New Mexico Lobos, or the state of New Mexico? Does he really deserve this kind of money, based on performance, or should the University of New Mexico have terminated him for cause when they had the opportunity to do so? We feel the answer is a resounding “yes”, based on his record, performance, and behavior. Mike Locksley was a very bad hire.
The taxpayers of New Mexico and fans of University of New Mexico Lobo football deserve more coaching and more integrity for their money. It is time to recognize the mistake made by Paul Krebs in hiring Coach Locksley, and sever ties with Coach Locksley, before the program suffers irreparable damage. New Mexico Lobo football cannot survive 5 more years of Mike Locksley, and this style of management, or lack of coaching ability. Our student athletes deserve better leadership.