Lobo athletics, on the rocks

Even at club level, UNM hockey is quickly making name for itself

Even the most passionate members of Lobo nation probably don't associate the cherry red and silver with frozen sheets of ice and vulcanized rubber.

But when the New Mexico Scorpions took to the ice on March 7 in Lobo-themed jerseys as a tribute to University of New Mexico club hockey, it was a sign that people might want to take notice.

"Our program has come a long way," said senior Tyler Brown. "We've gotten legitimate Lobo name rights, access to NCAA trainers, and we've managed to put together a legitimate roster. It's been a huge step forward."

Photo by Alex Mansfield

Senior Grant Harvey (waving) mans the t-shirt gun during the first intermission at the March 7 contest between the New Mexico Scorpions and Rapid City Rush at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M.

Although UNM's club hockey program has been around since 1991, it has faded in and out of obscurity through its first decade-and-a-half, pulling very limited funding from the school and drawing a minimal fan base.

There was plenty of active interest among local hockey players, but the results simply weren't there.

In the past year, however, things have begun to turn around.

The Lobos officially joined the American Collegiate Hockey Association's Division III Pacific Conference, playing amongst the likes of the University of Colorado and Division III powerhouse Northern Arizona University.

In the fall of 2008, the Lobos posted a modest 4-8 record over 12 games. Going into next season, they're hoping to carry the momentum and possibly smooth out some of the wrinkles that come with an entirely student-run program.

"It can get pretty hectic and a lot gets lost in translation," Brown said of the program's day-to-day operations. "It would be awesome to see a faculty member step in and oversee finances, scheduling etc."

A hefty price

Ask any hockey parent, and they'll probably tell you that hockey is one of the most physically, emotionally and financially draining sports a kid can pick.

"It's just unbelievable," said Jim Wing, whose son, James, is a freshman at La Cueva High School and has played competitively since he was just 6 years old. "You're sometimes gone two, three weekends of every month to tournaments in Dallas or Denver or Phoenix. You know, you're looking at usually one-to-two grand for each trip. It doesn't take long for all of that to add up."

The ACHA has done its best to make hockey as accessible as possible at the collegiate level. With more than 300 schools participating within five divisions, including two women's divisions, the ACHA is one of the nation's largest collegiate organizations at the club level.

At the beginning of this season, UNM players owed around $750 in member dues, all of which could be earned via fundraising.

"Yeah, there's a lot of time that goes into it, but it's a pretty small price in the grand scheme of things," sophomore Byron Kroner said. "It motivates you to do everything as a team though."

New threads

The jerseys the Scorpions donned against the Rapid City Rush on Lobo night were replicas of the new jerseys that the Lobos debuted at the end of the fall season.

Photo by Alex Mansfield

New Mexico Scorpions forward Jordan Foote sports a Lobo-themed jersey on "UNM Club Night."

"It definitely feels a bit more legitimate," said Kroner, who played last season as well. "All of us kind of went 'ooh' when we first saw them. It sounds kind of silly, but that kind of thing can give your team a bit more credibility on and off the ice."

With several ACHA club teams transitioning into varsity teams, the pressure is on the Lobos to keep up with the rest of the field.

So could a varsity hockey team be in UNM's near future?

"We're headed in the right direction," Brown said. "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but it would sure be nice."

Written March 12, 2009

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