Next month five of the University's finest athletes will be inducted into the UNM Athletic Hall of Honor.
Many of the men and women have not been recognized as Lobos in 40 years.
"It's a great honor to finally be recognized for what I did," said Mike Prokopiak, kicker on the memorable 1952 football team.
Prokopiak started as a quarterback, but is best known for his golden toe. He acted as the offensive leader in 1951, even after he tore a ligament in his knee shortly after the start of the season. Not only did he play nearly a complete season with the injury, but also attended Air Force ROTC camp that summer before getting checked out by a doctor.
After undergoing surgery, Prokopiak was in no condition to play in head-to-head combat, so for the love of the game and in an effort to stay on the team, Prokopiak became a kicker.
Prokopiak helped lead the Lobos, and he and four teammates earned All-American Honors in 1952.
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Dana Miller-Mackie is the lone woman being inducted into the Hall of Honor this year. She earned three letters in field hockey and competed on the UNM dance team. Miller-Mackie also competed in volleyball and basketball and has established herself today as a professional bowler. In 2000, she was inducted into the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame.
George Friberg was the starting quarterback of 1960 and football team captain. He graduated from UNM in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Friberg went on to get a master's from UNM.
Friberg, along with other inductees, has made numerous contributions to the UNM community and currently is a board member for the UNM Foundation.
"The criteria to be selected is not exclusively athletics," Bob Stamm, former skier and tennis champion, said.
Stamm has received many community service awards such as the State of New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award and Outstanding Leader in the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.
"Albuquerque's the only place I've ever lived and New Mexico has been good to me," Stamm said. "I try to make the University a good place to be and a good place to attend."
Stamm attended UNM in 1942 and played tennis all four years of his college career. He was also on the very first Lobo ski team, competing on the slopes for two years.
The final inductee to the 2003 Athletic Hall of Honor is the 1964 WAC Offensive Player of the Year Stan Quintana.
Quintana, who played on both offense and defense, led the Lobo football team to a conference championship in 1963. In 1998, he was selected to the All-Time Lobo Football Team.
Quintana now coaches football in El Paso, Texas and is the only inductee not currently residing in the Albuquerque area.
The UNM Alumni Lettermen's Association selects the Athletic Hall of Honor inductees. After being nominated, the Lettermen's Association considers each nominee's athlethic and academic achievements, as well as accomplishments and contributions to the UNM community.
At the Athletic Hall of Honor Banquet, on Sept. 25, Bobby Lee, George Petrol, J.D. Kailer, Ruben Douglas and Jordan Adams will also be recognized for outstanding performances and donations to Lobo athletics.
