NMAA ANNOUNCES HALL OF FAME ‘CLASS OF 2024’
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The New Mexico Activities Association, in conjunction with the NMAA Hall of Fame Committee, announces the Class of 2024 for induction into the NMAA Hall of Fame. The NMAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place during the 2nd Annual New Mexico High School Sports Award Show and Dinner which is scheduled for Thursday July 25th at 5:30pm at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Wayne Ferguson – Tucumcari High School
Wayne Ferguson is the 116th inductee into the NMAA Hall of Fame, with a career in education that spanned over 30 years. He devoted his career to serving the youth of New Mexico.
Ferguson graduated from Tucumcari High School in 1984, where he was a multi-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track & field. He was an All- State and All-District selection in football, as well as a member of the National Honor Society. Following graduation, Ferguson continued his education at Eastern New Mexico, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1991. Ferguson would later earn a master’s degree in education from Lesley University in 2006.
Following graduation at Eastern New Mexico, Ferguson returned to Tucumcari where he has spent his entire career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. In the classroom, Ferguson taught Special Education, Biology, Algebra and Applied Technology. He then transitioned to Dean of Students and the Rattlers’ Athletic Director. In 2019, Ferguson was named the Class 3A Athletic Director of the Year.
His coaching career includes the sports of boys’ and girls’ basketball, wrestling, football, and track & field. From 2011 to 2021, Ferguson lead the Rattlers football team as their head coach and currently serves as Tucumcari’s Head Track & Field coach. He led Tucumcari to two state titles in track & field in 2008 and 2017.
Over his coaching career, Ferguson earned several accolades including the 2021 NHFS New Mexico Boys Track Coach of the Year, 2021 National Coach of the Year finalist, and was inducted into the New Mexico Track & Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ferguson has also served on the NMAA Commission, the NMAA Football and Track & Field Sports Specific Committees, and was the district chairperson from 2002-2018. He is also a member of the NMHSCA, the NMADA, the NIAAA, and the NEA.
Ferguson and his wife Leslie reside in Tucumcari and have been married for over 32 years. They have two children, Meagan, and Tyler and two grandsons Carson and Caden.
The NMAA Hall of Fame was established in 1976 and is comprised of an elite group of 115 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 2024 – Wayne Ferguson – will represent the 116th member of this prestigious group.
