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Congratulations to the University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team and Coach Steve Alford for their shared Mountain West Conference title.
And for all the hard work behind that shiny trophy. Seniors Drew Gordon, A.J. Hardeman and Phillip McDonald were honored after the title-clinching win Saturday — and each will graduate in May, showing the label “student athlete” is not an oxymoron for those who wear cherry and silver. In fact, last fall the NCAA released its Graduation Success Rate, which showed that UNM student athletes who started in 2004-05 earned degrees at a rate of 74 percent compared to an overall student body rate of 44 percent. Alford also stresses positive behavior on his team, adhering to a university policy that has repercussions for inappropriate/offensive actions in online communities and a Twitter ban. The players have clearly internalized that message: Last fall a junior who had already had his driving privileges revoked by Alford pleaded guilty to DWI rather than try to beat the rap because he wanted to set a good example. When the Lobos take the court at the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday, fans will focus on their impressive athletic skill. But they should know much more goes into making a truly successful Lobo. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
