by Adrian Doerfler
Daily Lobo
Just in case the stakes of the rivalry weren't high enough, UNM and NMSU tacked on a bonus to add to the competition between the two schools.
The schools announced the formation of the Rio Grande Rivalry on July 13. Officials hope the competition will help the two schools build school spirit and pride in the fans who cheer on the Lobos and Aggies.
The competition begins this fall, and the two schools are scheduled to compete in 12 sports including football, baseball and men's and women's basketball.
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Points will be awarded to the winner of each competition with a total of 25.5 possible points.
The school with the most points wins the Rio Grande Rivalry and will receive a trophy. Both universities are helping design the trophy.
The traveling trophy will remain in possession of the winning school for one academic year.
UNM president David Schmidly compared the UNM-NMSU rivalry to some of the nation's biggest rivalries and said it can help both schools.
"I have been a part of some big rivalries," he said. "Those rivalries generated a tremendous amount of enthusiasm among young people growing up in a college campus. In the state of New Mexico, we need more people going to college. When I look at athletic events, I like to look at the value added."
The rivalry began with football in Albuquerque on Jan. 1, 1894, marking the first competition against another four-year institution for UNM.
The 98th football game between the two schools will be Sept. 8
in Albuquerque.
UNM head football coach Rocky Long said the match-up between the two schools is as big as any in
the country.
"I have been blessed to be associated with many rivalries," he said. "There is not one better than this. The only difference is population ... but the rivalry is just as good here as it is at UCLA-USC, Oregon-Oregon State, Oklahoma-Oklahoma State."
If there was any doubt the rivalry existed among officials, some trash talk at the news conference may have put that to rest.
Long and NMSU president Michael Martin started the football hype in front of an excited crowd.
Martin initiated the talk by reminding Lobo fans about UNM's loss to NMSU's fellow Western Athletic Conference school, San Jose State.
"I hope now, as a result of the recent year, that the Lobos will raise their level of competition so they can compete with the WAC," he said. "I think we gave them some trouble last year."
When Long had his opportunity to speak, he made sure that the shot didn't go unnoticed.
"Since that little wise comment about the bowl game was made, we're waiting," he said.
