School wants new football scoreboard

A capital outlay project, approved by the New Mexico Legislature but awaiting approval from Gov. Susana Martinez, would provide $1.5 million for a new scoreboard/video board at the north end of University Stadium.

University of New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs said it is hoped the new board will be in place for the 2013 football season opener against Texas-San Antonio on Aug. 31, but added: “It’s an ongoing process. … It’s subject to approval by the governor.

“It’s a pretty short timeline in terms of approval of the project, bidding, awarding and construction to get it done for the fall. It’s certainly doable, but right now we’re waiting to see the outcome.”

The proposal was sponsored by several legislators, including former Lobo offensive lineman and current Republican state Sen. Mark Moores of Albuquerque. Moores played for UNM from 1988-91.

Other capital outlay projects approved by the Legislature involving UNM athletics include $100,000 for lights at the Lobos’ baseball field, sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Henry “Kiki” Saavedra, and $75,000 for improvements to the practice facility at the UNM Championship Golf Course, sponsored by Republican state Sen. William Payne of Albuquerque.

Earlier this month, the Senate and House approved almost $274 million in capital outlay projects. Martinez has the authority to line-item veto specific capital-outlay projects and has done so in the past.

CHEERS FOR THE BRUNSONS: Darien Brunson, a sophomore walk-on Lobo defensive back from Gilbert, Ariz., has his own cheering section.

Brunson’s sister, Veronica, is a first-year member of UNM’s cheer squad. She performs with the Lobos’ all-female cheerleading group. The Lobos also have a coed cheerleading team and a dance team.

Darien Brunson, a transfer from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, enrolled at UNM last spring. He sat out the 2012 season as a redshirt.

HOOKS ARRESTED: Former UNM cornerback Anthony Hooks was arrested early Saturday morning on domestic-violence charges. As of Tuesday evening, he was housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center, pending $7,000 in bail.

Hooks was charged with battery on a household member and abandonment of a child, both misdemeanors, and with a probation violation stemming from a November domestic-violence incident. He has pleaded not guilty to the latest charges.

He played at UNM from 2008-11 and started every game during his final three seasons.
— This article appeared on page D4 of the Albuquerque Journal