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Sports

Lobo football holds open scrimmage and prepares for season opener

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 17

On Friday, Aug. 15, the University of New Mexico Lobo football team hosted a scrimmage open to the public, giving fans a chance to get a preview of the team in action and see them in action ahead of the season kickoff on Aug. 30 against the Michigan Wolverines. Only the most eagle-eyed fans may notice the team looks slightly different from last year: the Lobos lost their head coach, star quarterback, two running backs, four receivers and a swath of other players. Demonstrating the Lobo’s perseverance, the new Lobo football Head Coach Jason Eck has been able to put together a quality roster that could take the Lobos to decent success.

Sports

Lobo Athletics pushes for viral social media videos

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 17

In complementing the recent push for investment into certain capital projects and fan-forward programs, the University of New Mexico Athletics Department has also had a focus on creating more promotional and social media content. On Aug. 4, to announce that kids under 12 would now get free admission into football games with the purchase of an adult single game general ticket, the New Mexico Lobos released a video that went viral, with over half a million views on X alone. The video parodies an episode from the television show “The Office”, named “Scott's Tots,” with Head Football Coach Jason Eck experiencing a humorous miscommunication with Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo. As a result, Eck ends up promising free tuition to a classroom of elementary school students instead of free tickets to a football game.

Sports

UNM women's soccer team opens season with scoring onslaught

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 17

During their first game of the season, the University of New Mexico women's soccer team came out firing against the Texas Southern University Lady Tigers, cruising to an 8-0 victory during the match on Thursday, Aug. 14. The Lobos struck early, scoring three goals within the first 15 minutes and six goals in the first half. The scoring was well-balanced, with five Lobos putting the ball into the net. The scoring extravaganza led to the most goals the Lobos have scored in a match since 2002. Last season, the Lobos scored 23 goals total with their highest scoring game a 5-2 win against the Nevada Wolf Pack.

Sports

UNM Women’s soccer wins exhibition match

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | August 13

The 2025 season for the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team kicks off next week with their season opener at home on Aug. 14 against Texas Southern University — the first Lobo sporting event of the 2025–26 season. The Lobos played an exhibition game this week on Aug. 7, starting the year off strong with a 4-1 win against University of Texas, El Paso, where several players including newcomers and goalkeepers had playtime on the field. While the victory could be a hopeful sign for the future, the game will not count towards the overall season record. The season spans a total of 19 games, concluding with the Mountain West tournament in November for qualifying teams.

Sports

Free admission and $4 hot dogs: UNM Athletics’ push for affordability

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 11

Over the past two weeks, the University of New Mexico’s Athletics Department announced a frenzy of initiatives to make Lobo athletic events more affordable. It will allow free entry for home games for several Olympic sporting events, free entry for children under 12 to Lobo football games and a new $4 value menu for concessions at home football games. The new programs reflect a long-term investment into affordability and the fan experience for Lobo Football and athletics, UNM’s Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations, Kasey Byers, said. “This may be something we break even on, or this may be something that we’re willing to invest in — what the overall growth of the program is going to be,” Byers said.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — NBA offseason edition

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 30

After the NBA Finals end and a champion is crowned, the work and preparation for next season begins. Some teams trade to add new superstars to their roster or get young and exciting talent during the draft. But some teams make moves contrary to their goal of improving the team for next season — these teams can be known as bobbleheads.

Sports

A look inside the athletics department over the summer

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 21

During the summer, campus is slower, The Pit is empty of rowdy, energetic fans and people are awaiting the return of Lobo sporting events. But, the University of New Mexico Athletic Department is still up and running. Here’s a look at what’s happening during the offseason. “(We’re) getting a lot of projects done before the season starts and the student athletes return,” Ryan Berryman, UNM’s Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer, said. “It's also a time of change — you have new coaches, new athletes, new students that will be onboarded and getting ready for the start of the semester.”

Sports

Revenue sharing to bring major changes to college athletics

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 16

On June 6, a settlement was approved to end the House v. National Collegiate Athletic Association antitrust lawsuit. The settlement allows for the direct payment of student-athletes by universities, among other changes. The settlement includes a $2.8 billion payout for student-athletes who competed in 2016–24 and were unable to be compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness, which is paid out over the next ten years. As a university that opted into the settlement, the University of New Mexico faces an approximately $500,000 per year deduction in its NCAA distribution, according to UNM Vice President and Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo.

Sports

OPINION: A preview of the Lobo men’s basketball team

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 7

After the end of the 2024-25 season, the University of New Mexico’s men’s basketball team was ravaged by the transfer portal and coaching carousel. With an entirely new roster, Lobo fans are unsure of what to expect from this year’s team. Here’s a breakdown of the new roster that Head Coach Eric Olen assembled.

Sports

OPINION: A preview of the Lobo women's basketball team

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 7

The University of New Mexico’s women’s basketball team and Head Coach Mike Bradbury are hoping to build on their 18-14 record from last season. The team managed to retain some key talent but due to the ever-changing landscape of college basketball, it also lost multiple players to the transfer portal and graduation. Here's a look at the returning players and new additions to the roster, starting with the returning players.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — NBA Finals edition

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | June 27

This week saw one of the most exciting NBA Finals in many years; it was the first time the series went a full seven games since 2016 and it was full of close games. It featured one team full of rising stars and the reigning MVP — the Oklahoma City Thunder — and an underdog team whose path to the finals was filled with near-impossible comebacks at every step — the Indiana Pacers. The series had quite a few heroes who were expected to be great, and were, like the OKC Thunders’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and role players who tried to will their team to victory.

Sports

New Mexico United dominates San Antonio FC in overtime

Esmeralda Lozano | June 23

On Saturday, June 21, New Mexico United snatched another win — in a heart pounding overtime United surged past San Antonio FC and left the pitch having jumped to first place in the West Conference, after winning the game 4-2. Under the blazing sun United got ready to defend their winning record. The early minutes of the game unfolded slowly. Both teams were locked in a physical battle which resulted in multiple fouls causing United to earn a penalty kick. Jaylin Lindsey calmly stepped up and converted, putting New Mexico on the scoreboard with a confident strike.

Sports

Lobos take home national titles at NCAA Track and Field Championship

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | June 16

The University of New Mexico Lobos secured national titles in three separate events over the course of the four-day NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which took place in Eugene, Oregon, on June 11-14. The Lobos sent a total of 11 athletes to Eugene. They sent only one athlete in 2024. The Lobos finished fifth nationally on the men's side and ninth on the women's. The Lobos took first and second place in the men's 10,000 meter. Ishmael Kipkurui became the national champion with a time of 29:07.70, and Habtom Samuel finished with a time of 29:08.73 and became the national runner-up after having won the race last season.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — Norway Chess edition

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | June 8

Where there’s a victor, there’s a loser, and sometimes certain athletes contribute to their team’s or their own shortcomings. These athletes are favorably called bobbleheads. Norway Chess saw 12 of the highest-ranking male and female chess grandmasters competing over ten rounds of classical chess games. While some of the players exceeded expectations while others made tremendous blunders, making them the bobbleheads of the week.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — Stanley Cup Conference Finals edition

Simon Reseigh | June 2

Where there’s a victor, there’s a loser, and sometimes certain athletes contribute to their team’s shortcomings. These athletes are favorably called bobbleheads. After a long, grueling playoffs, the Stanley Cup Final is set. The Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers will battle for the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row.The Panthers are making their third finals appearance in as many years and the Oilers hope to be the first Canadian team to win the cup since 1993. Here are the bobbleheads who helped book their teams’ late flights to Cancun.

Sports

Lobos close regular season with crucial home series

Esmeralda Lozano | May 19

It was a bittersweet moment on Santa Ana Star Field on May 15-17, as the University of New Mexico Lobos played their final regular season series against the Fresno State University Bulldogs. When the series was all said and done the Lobos said goodbye to the regular season and set their eyes on the Mountain West Tournament. The Lobos started the series out with high energy and were ready to make their last home series count, for themselves and fans.

Sports

OPINION: Is Tony Romo a Hall-of-Famer?

Austin Bishop | May 19

Say what you want about Tony Romo, but it's undeniable Tony Romo is a Hall of Famer. Once you look into his tape, statistics and impact on the National Football League, it’s easy to say he’s possibly one of the most overlooked candidates of his generation. Ask an average football fan if Tony Romo belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they will probably tell you that “He choked in the playoffs” or some other negatives. The bigger picture is that Romo is one of the most creative and intelligent quarterbacks of the modern era and for that he deserves Hall of Fame consideration.

Sports

Isotopes drop game 2, bounce back with game 3 walk off

Rodney Prunty | May 19

On May 14 and 15, the Albuquerque Isotopes took on the Tacoma Rainiers for games 2 and 3 of the series. The Isotopes lost the series opener 9-1 to Tacoma on May 13 and looked to take a win and tie the series up 1-1 in game 2 on May 14. The Isotopes got off to a good start in game 2 as after a scoreless first inning by both teams. The Isotopes batted in 3 runs with the highlight coming from Sterlin Thompson who had a two run double.

Sports

OPINION: The 5 greatest Lobo women’s basketball players

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | May 19

Since the University of New Mexico’s women’s basketball team was officially established in 1974 — 75 years after the founding of the men’s basketball team — and began playing sanctioned games against other collegiate teams, there have been many outstanding players appearing in The Pit. However, these five are the best of the best. Vianè Cumber, is an honorable mention for this list. The Sandia High School graduate played all four years, from 2021-25 of her collegiate career at UNM and over that career became the all-time leader in three-pointers made at the University. 5. Dionne Marsh

Sports

OPINION: bobbleheads of the week – Stanley Cup playoffs second round edition

Simon Reseigh | May 17

Where there’s a victor, there’s a loser, and sometimes certain athletes contribute to their team’s shortcomings. These athletes are favorably called bobbleheads. The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is starting to wrap up, with the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers punching their tickets to the conference finals. While those teams had players who propelled them forward, those knocked out featured players who helped book their teams’ trips to Cancun.