NMAA Executive Director Sally Marquez Honored By The University of New Mexico Alumni Association
The University of New Mexico Alumni Association presented New Mexico Activities Association Executive Director Sally Marquez with the Bernard S. Rodey Award, given to an individual whose leadership efforts have contributed significantly to the field of education. The honor was part of the UNM Alumni Awards given out on Wednesday evening at the Sandia Event Center at the Sandia Golf Club. The UNM Alumni Association presented a wide range of awards to individuals in honor of their remarkable accomplishments.
Sally Marquez has served in secondary education for 40 years and has been the executive director of the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) since September 2012. She began her career at the NMAA in 2004 as associate director and was promoted to assistant executive director in July 2011. The NMAA is comprised of 160 high schools and 200 middle schools with 70,000 participants in sports and activities.
Prior to joining the NMAA, Marquez held a variety of positions in New Mexico, Virginia, and Texas, including mathematics teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, and director of personnel. Among her coaching positions, Marquez coached girls’ and boys’ basketball, track and field, and soccer.
A graduate of Manzano High School, where she was a three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, track and field), Marquez earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of New Mexico’s College of Education in December of 1983 with endorsements to teach mathematics, physical education and health education. Marquez earned her master’s degree from Virginia Tech University in Education Administration in 1993. She was a four-year member of the women’s basketball team at the University of New Mexico and was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
Marquez served four years on the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) Board of Directors, serving as president in 2022-23. She was the first Hispanic Female to serve in this capacity in the 105 years of the NFHS existence. She is a leader nationally among the other 50 State Associations.
As the Executive Director of the NMAA, Marquez is credited with creating and implementing New Mexico’s Sportsmanship Initiative, Compete with Class, along with the addition of Girls Wrestling, Powerlifting, and Esports. She was instrumental during Covid, working tirelessly with the Governor’s Office, Public Education Department, and the Superintendents to ensure that all students were able to compete in sports and activities within the restrictions placed upon the schools.
