Founding father of youth soccer
in New Mexico honored
Fred Perez, director of UNM Recreational Services, right, and Jesse Casteñeda, sports coordinator for Youth Development, Inc., celebrate near the location of a new recognition plaque at Johnson Center. The plaque honors Perez who was recognized in March as a founding father of youth soccer in New Mexico. In 1972, the first youth soccer clinic at Johnson Field drew one girl and five boys. Now 48,000 children participate in the New Mexico Youth Soccer Association. Perez will retire in May from Recreational Services after serving UNM and the community for 30 years. Casteñeda graduated from UNM in 1965. Photo by Greg Johnston.