Mike Powers
News-Bulletin sports writer
Each time I nearly finish a column about how the New Mexico Activities Association’s “2 Strike” bylaw is working, something else happens involving high school players or fans. The paper is then crumpled and tossed in the trash. If things settle down long enough, look for some observations in a future News-Bulletin.
The NMAA is close to finishing realignment for high school football next season. It’s a pressure-filled effort, trying to find balance and fairness. It’s a reasonable bet that at least one Valencia County school will not be crazy about the ultimate decision.
Aside from the Aggies’ big football win over Auburn, can things possibly get worse for the New Mexico State athletic department? Five major scandals in the past year, most recently a lawsuit about guns in the basketball locker room and a crass act by a star athlete caught on video. Is this bad luck or bad leadership?
With college basketball underway, a couple of personal reflections. Former University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach Gary Colson, who died earlier this month, was one cool dude. Colson guided the Lobos from the ashes of Lobogate. Sure, Colson was laidback, but that was part of his charm. I often showed up at his practices unannounced, and he took time to do an interview. RIP, Gary.
Could you imagine just showing up at a Bob Knight practice? Nope. The recent death of the Hall of Fame coach brought back memories of his courtship by UNM. The frenzy would have been massive if he was hired. What a nightmare for a reporter. RIP, coach Knight.
Both UNM and NMSU are among the schools in pursuit of Los Lunas guard Jalin Holland, but bigger names like Texas and Oklahoma are trying to pry him out of state. It’ll be a blast to see where Holland will land, and it will be intriguing to see if Holland has enough help at LLHS to make a run at a state title.
ESPN’s massive layoffs over the summer have impacted the quality of the network’s talent-pool, especially in radio. Perhaps the no-name newbies will grow on me. One thing that hasn’t changed on sports-talk radio is the constant drum beat of the same old, same old chatter: Dallas Cowboys, Aaron Rodgers (even while injured,) Lebron James, point spreads, Taylor Swift. Wait. How did she get in there?
Why is it annoying when a senior discount is deducted from a restaurant bill when no one asked my age?
I’ve been itching lately to get out the old bowling ball. Sadly, there are no local lanes, but that hasn’t kept me from getting the bug again to pick up a seven-ten split. I asked my wife Patty recently which one of us was the better bowler. Without hesitation, she said, “I am.” Game on.
Mike Powers spent more than 40 years as a television news and sports anchor, mostly in the Albuquerque market. He has won numerous awards including New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year. He covers a wide range of sports, including the Valencia County prep scene.
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April 25, 2024
