Lobo sports matter beyond UNM
AS STUDENTS AT Lewis University’s Albuquerque Campus you might think we don’t care about whether University of New Mexico’s sports programs are successful. You would be mistaken.
Although we appreciate the quality of education at Lewis, the small class sizes and especially the way the school adapts its programs to meet the needs of military, veteran and adult continuing education, we also know that when the subject turns to collegiate sports in Albuquerque, UNM rules!
This is why the Albuquerque Journal’s Jan. 24 article regarding low attendance at UNM men’s basketball games concerns us. While we recognize the team has struggled this season, we feel regardless of any challenges that something must be done to remedy the situation! (We have some suggestions.)
We would like the school to consider extending their $10 UNM student rate to other college students with a student ID in the Albuquerque area. Simply contacting those schools’ administrative staff and having them distribute the offer via email and social media should do the trick at low to no cost. Students with IDs could buy tickets for $10 which could drive hundreds more Lobos fans to home games.
Additionally, UNM could invite local high school students — and their dates! — with a student ID to games at the same $10 rate. Again, spreading the word would be cheap and easy by using student emails and social media, and this would serve the purpose of improving attendance as well as giving future UNM students the thrill of experiencing a topnotch college sporting experience. Think of how many ticket sales this could generate! Finally, making the $10 offer to City of Albuquerque Community Center ID holders would ice the cake nicely. These are folks from all walks of life, all over town who could be looking for a little excitement or something fun for the whole family. And what a great perk for the City to be able to advertise as a bonus for joining the local community center!
No matter what UNM decides to do to boost fan attendance, we want our fellow UNM students to know we’re pulling for them and wish them the very best!
GEOFFREY TUTTLE AMBER WINCHELL THOMAS HARRIS Lewis University MBA Students