I used to hate watching preseason NFL football. There are loads of obvious reasons why it's a bad thing - big-time injuries in small-time games, starters playing scarce minutes - but let's focus on the positive.
It's hated by many - including players, owners and coaches - and it's loved by few - pretty much the same people who watch the whole day of the NFL Draft.
If the UNM men's soccer team is going to return to the College Cup final this season, some of its younger players may have to contribute significantly.
Experience is scarce on the UNM volleyball team, but there isn't a lack of leadership with senior Kelly Therkelsen helping command the young team.
Ah, preseason. A time where world-class athletes with $1 million contracts get to screw up countless times before the regular season starts; a time where teams start looking for a go-to guy; a time where contracts are signed and players are cut; a time to start the damn season already.
Last season, the women's soccer team made a run to the Mountain West Conference tournament championship game and held a 2-0-1 record against top-25 competition.
After being passed up in the NFL Draft and then traded after signing a rookie free agent contract, it seemed Hank Baskett had a long road ahead of him to be successful in the NFL.
Despite losing four key players to Major League Soccer, the UNM men's soccer team is still regarded as one of the most elite teams in the nation.
Replacing DonTrell Moore won't be easy, and it may take three tailbacks to fill the void left by the former Lobo.
Four years ago, Kenny Byrd was playing soccer for St. Pius X High School. Now, Byrd is the kicker for the UNM football team, and this season he is regarded as one of the best at his position after he was named to the Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List, which is the award for best placekicker in the nation.
Ty Singleton has high expectations for the UNM women's softball team. With Singleton's reputation as a softball coach, expectations may be as high for him.
A new scheme could allow for an offensive threat to rise from the shadows of Hank Baskett and DonTrell Moore in the 2006 football season.
I miss the rivalry. I miss the constant do-or-die feeling of each game. The feeling of wanting your team to win so badly you think each play could be the one to change it all.
Next season, Kole McKamey will not be able to hand the football to DonTrell Moore and watch him slash his way through defenders on his way to a touchdown.
UNM senior offensive tackle Robert Turner said he has dual personalities. The Lobo football team's lone preseason pick for the All-Mountain West Conference team is not the same person on the field as he is off of it.
When UNM head football coach Rocky Long talks about his defense, the word that pops up the most is experience. Unfortunately for the Lobos, Long said it is something the defensive unit does not have a lot of.
Ryan Barba may not have been selected by an MLB team on draft day, but he still had one of his biggest dreams come true this summer. Barba, a former shortstop on the UNM baseball team, was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers on July 2. The former Lobo said he was frustrated he wasn't drafted but happy to have the chance to play with a professional organization.
Fans in New Mexico will now have the chance to watch a variety of Mountain West Conference football games on television, starting with the 2006 season.
The UNM men's basketball team will be looking to fill an empty roster spot after one of last year's players decided not to return for the 2006-07 season.
Tim Cass, a former tennis player and head coach at UNM, will be returning to the University this fall. Athletic Director Paul Krebs announced Monday that Cass will take over as the senior associate director of athletics at UNM on Aug. 1. Cass is replacing Conrad Colbert, who retired in June.
Solutions by The State News
