Del Archuleta Education BIG Chair Molzen-Corbin & Associates | Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
University of New Mexico Men's Basketball Coach Eric Olen addressed the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors during their meeting on May 22. The introduction was made by GACC chair Del Esparza and UNM Athletics Director Fernando Lovo.
Lovo expressed his pleasure in introducing Coach Olen to the board and shared some achievements of UNM's athletic department. He highlighted that this year, seventy UNM athletes received undergraduate degrees, while seventeen obtained graduate degrees. Among these graduates, twenty-two are New Mexicans, and twenty student-athletes graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Lovo also noted significant accomplishments in various sports: the men's tennis team secured its first Mountain West title in fifteen years; the men's golf team qualified for the NCAA championship in San Diego as the only non-power core team; and the women's track and field team won three conference championships in outdoor, indoor, and cross country events. Overall, UNM has achieved six Mountain West championships this year, with basketball revenue surpassing $4 million.
Coach Olen discussed his efforts to rebuild the men's basketball program. He mentioned that only one athletic trainer remained from the previous program but stated he had secured thirteen players and assembled his coaching staff for the upcoming season starting June 9.
"With each player, I'm building a team that will keep UNM competitive," Olen said. "I didn't expect to have to rebuild completely. We are doing it and with the right pieces of the puzzle coming together. Basketball is everything to the community here and we're hoping to build on that foundation."
The board extended a warm welcome to Coach Olen as he embarks on his first season at Albuquerque and UNM.
