NMAA ANNOUNCES HALL OF FAME ‘CLASS OF 2018’
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The New Mexico Activities Association, in conjunction with the NMAA Hall of Fame Committee, announces the Class of 2018 for induction into the NMAA Hall of Fame. The NMAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony and luncheon will be Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 12pm at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid Hotel.
The ring ceremony, presented by Herff Jones, will take place during the State Basketball Championships on March 8, 2018, at halftime of the 6:30pm semifinal game at Dreamstyle Arena.
The Inductees Are:
Matt Martinez – Pojoaque Valley High School
During Mr. Martinez’s tenure as Athletic Director for the Elks and Elkettes from 1999-2017 and including 1998, Pojoaque Valley won 20 state team athletic championships in seven different sports (22 with the activity of bowling). Martinez coached Pojoaque’s girls basketball team to the 1998 Class 3A state championship, which culminated a run of three straight years (1996-1998) where Pojoaque Valley played in the Class 3A state title game. After two runner up finishes, the Elkettes capped off an undefeated season (28-0) in 1998 with a 67-65 victory over Kirtland Central High School to win their first state basketball championship.
Cooper Henderson – Artesia High School & Ruidoso High School
Throughout his tremendous career as a football coach, Mr. Henderson compiled an overall record of 293-103-1 and a record of 238-84-0 while guiding the Artesia Bulldogs from 1989-2015. During that era, Henderson led Artesia to 14 state championships in his 27 seasons. His final game with Artesia was a thrilling 42-34 victory over Centennial in the Class 5A final in 2015. Over the years, Henderson has been honored for his coaching accomplishments. Most recently he was named the 2015 NFHS Football Coach of the Year, becoming one of six coaches ever to earn that honor from New Mexico. In 2011, Henderson and his father, L.G., were inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.
Louie Baisa – Lordsburg High School
Mr. Baisa has been in education at Lordsburg HS since 1988 and has spent time as a teacher, counselor, coach, and athletic director. In 1990, he became the head football coach for the Mavericks. He finished his first year with an 11-2 record, district championship, and state runner-up trophy. He retired as the head football coach in February 2017 after winning the 2016 Class 2A state title. Baisa accumulated 187 wins and 112 losses, which is good for 8th all-time in wins for the state of New Mexico. The Mavericks won the State Championship in 2006 and 2016 and were state runner up in 1990, 2003, and 2009.
The NMAA Hall of Fame was established in 1976 and is comprised of an elite group of 102 accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions to interscholastic athletics and activities in New Mexico. In order to be considered, nominees must show great support of the NMAA’s philosophy and objectives, they must have a combination of involvement in formulating regulations and procedures for various interscholastic education programs, and they must have a minimum of 25 years of service, 20 of which must have been in New Mexico. Nominations are then screened by the NMAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee which consists of current and former leaders within interscholastic athletics and activities. The committee meets in October each year and then selects a maximum of four individuals for induction. The Class of 2018 – Cooper Henderson, Matt Martinez & Louie Baisa – will represent the 103rd, 104th and 105th members of this prestigious group.
For additional information pertaining to this release, please contact Dusty Young, NMAA Associate Director at (505) 977-5385 or dusty@nmact.org.
