Men's Hoops Travels to Local High Schools
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As part of the Lobo initiative to continue build partnerships and relationships throughout the local community, The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team will be taking to the streets as they travel to a trio of local high schools to host practices over the next three weeks.
The Lobos will be hosting special practices each Tuesday starting on October 10 when they head to Rio Rancho High School at 3 p.m. The practices will be open to the public and will serve as an opportunity for the Lobos to branch out into the community while also working with the UNM admissions office to encourage enrollment at the university. The local practice schedule will be as follows:
1. Rio Rancho High School – Tuesday, October 10 – 3 p.m.
2. La Cueva High School – Tuesday, October 17 – 3 p.m.
3. Albuquerque High School – Tuesday, October 24 – TBA
“Recruiting new students to UNM is a top priority for our great institution,” head coach Paul Weir said. “Taking the Lobo basketball team to practice at the high schools that are among our largest feeders is a thank you that can hopefully create even stronger partnerships going forward with our university.
“In the future, we hope to branch out to as many different high schools as we can to continue to tackle enrollment and make UNM the best it can be for all of us.”
The three high schools were chosen due to their status as large feeders to The University of New Mexico student body. La Cueva High School is UNM’s largest feeder school in the metro area, having sent 152 students to UNM in the freshman class of 2016. Rio Rancho is close behind, having sent 137 students to become Lobos. Lobo basketball is looking to do its part to help increase enrollment, a feat which is vital to the success of the university.
Coming up:
Prior to the local high school practices next week, the 2017 Lobo Men’s Basketball Cherry-Silver Scrimmage is set to commence at Johnson Gym on Thursday, October 5, 2017 from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. The scrimmage will be the first chance for fans to get a look at the 2017-18 Lobo squad that includes five returners and nine newcomers.
The 2017 Cherry-Silver Scrimmage is hosted by LoboTHON, a student-chartered organization that works to raise money and awareness for the UNM Children’s Hospital. Opportunities will be available to donate money to LoboTHON at Thursday’s scrimmage. To learn more about LoboTHON, visit the official organization website HERE.
“I am really excited for our program to partner with LoboTHON for our Cherry-Silver Scrimmage,” Weir said. “Not only is this an opportunity for us to bring Lobo basketball to fans from around our community into the heart of a historic part of our beautiful campus, but it is also an outstanding opportunity to bring our students and community members together for a great cause.”
Thursday’s event will feature a live, game-like scrimmage and also a chance for fans to interact with the team. The Lobos will also sign autographs at the conclusion of the event. Fans can also check-in to the event and check out all the latest details leading up to the event by visiting our Facebook event page HERE.
The 2017-18 season officially tips off on Nov. 11 with a home matchup against Northern New Mexico. Season tickets are still available, visit www.UNMTickets.com/basketball-season for more information.