PROBLEM SOLVED
Rubik’s Cube whiz Gray has earned Lobo football scholarship
Micah Gray, a University of New Mexico redshirt sophomore running back who recently earned a scholarship, sat in front of a Journal video camera for a unique media interview after practice on Friday.
Gray, who came to UNM as a walk-on out of Clovis, held a Rubik’s Cube in his hand and he was determined to solve it as quickly as he could. He has been known to complete the task within a minute, and as fast as 45 seconds. But with the camera recording his every move, a timer keeping track and some teammates watching, the pressure was on.
Before Gray reached a minute, he noticed a slight mistake. Alas, he solved the Rubik’s Cube within 1 minute, 5 seconds.
Gray started his hobby with the complex puzzle cube three years ago because he likes the rapper Logic, who has been known to solve it while he rhymes. Trying to master a Rubik’s Cube while carrying a football would prove to be too challenging. Nevertheless, what Gray has done while at UNM is just as impressive as matching the colors on each of the six sides of that tricky cube.
Bob Davie has known Gray as a quiet, hard-working player, one who epitomizes a walk-on determined to earn a scholarship, the UNM coach said.
“He has never asked me for anything,” Davie said of Gray. “He never really expected anything. It feels good to reward a guy like that with a scholarship that didn’t ask for it. I love that kid. He has been raised well. He’s a great kid. He is
an improving football player. To me he is the whole walk-on, come in here, earn yourself a scholarship, and most importantly appreciating the scholarship.”
The announcement that Gray and four others were awarded scholarships came during a team meeting June 6, when his name appeared on a screen with the message: “You’re on scholarship!!”
“It was unreal for sure,” Gray said. “I had seen former walk-ons do it since I’m going on my third year here. It was humbling and amazing.”
The lessons Gray learned while at Clovis proved valuable when he arrived at UNM, he said. He was a three-sport athlete (basketball and track) at Clovis, where he rushed for 2,784 yards over his final two seasons, including 1,684 yards as a senior. He brought to the Lobos his mentality of the importance of teamwork and performing at your best in your role.
Last year, after redshirting his freshman season, Gray went all out for his role as a scout player and special-teamer. He kept working hard during the spring and earned the reward of the scholarship.
“Sometimes with guys you put them on scholarship and it’s emotional, they’re appreciative, but as the years go by, they sometimes become entitled and maybe don’t appreciate it as much,” Davie said. “Where with Micah, I think every day from here on he will be tremendously grateful for that opportunity. He’s just that kind of kid.”
Now, during the Lobos’ preseason camp, Gray is among a crowded backfield of nine runners eager to contribute to a new offense that is need of playmakers at the position.
“It’s camp time and all the positions are open,” Gray said moments after solving the Rubik’s Cube. “I just want to work as hard as I can. Whatever it gets it gets me. But it’s special teams and trying to play as running back. That’s all I can do really.”
The Rubik’s Cube that Gray solved on Friday was a 3x3, three tiles on each of the six sides. He can also complete the 2x2 and the traditional 4x4 with ease, but the 5x5 was challenging as it took him three weeks to initially figure it out.
So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Gray also excels in the classroom. He carries a 3.31 grade-point average as a business administration major in the Anderson School of Management. He said he was told that he is on schedule to graduate a year early.
After UNM, Gray said he is interested in commercial real estate. But he can’t deny his love for football. He said coaching is also an option.
“We’ll see how life goes,” he said. “I enjoy football. I love it. Coming out here is fun.” That Rubik’s Cube? Yes, that’s fun, too.
NOTE: Today’s practice is closed to the media and public. The Lobos resume open practices on Monday at 10 a.m.