Lobos heading to Santa Fe Indian School for two-day kids camp
Estevan Sandoval has been part of the University of New Mexico men’s basketball program since he graduated from St. Michael’s five years ago.
He’s been pretty much everywhere the Lobos have been, from the faraway tournaments to the Mountain West Conference caverns that double as basketball arenas for UNM’s primary rivals.
In just over three weeks, they’ll be someplace they’ve never been. The Lobos and head coach Paul Weir will take over the Pueblo Pavilion on the campus of Santa Fe Indian School for a two-day kids camp that runs June 23-24. Registration is ongoing for an event that had its first go-round in Santa Fe last year at St. Michael’s.
“I only had the chance to play in there once and it was really impressive,” Sandoval said. “It’s one of the best high school gyms around, probably better than what we saw at San Jose State. It’s the perfect place for us to be back in Northern New Mexico.”
A manager for most of his time at UNM, Sandoval is a graduate assistant on Weir’s staff. He hopes to parlay his time with the Lobos into something bigger and better, taking over as a coach on some level down the road.
For now, he’s all in with his team’s return to Santa Fe. Last year’s camp drew dozens of players from the immediate area.
A handful of current and future Lobos helped as instructors, giving the kids and their parents an impromptu sneak peak at the Weir’s first season with UNM.
While the current crop of players isn’t required to show up at the camp, Sandoval said it’s a safe bet the majority of them will be there.
The expanded space provided by the Pavilion will make it easier for campers to get more instruction and interaction with the players and coaches.
This year’s event also includes a Sixth Man meet-and-greet with fans which will take place the night of June 23 at a time and location to be announced. It will give potential boosters a chance to rub elbows with Weir, a man who led the Lobos to the brink of the NCAA Tournament in March.
The camp itself is open to kids in grades 1-8. The cost is $135 per child and it runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first day and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second day. Lunch will be provided both days.
All the details can be found through the school’s website, www.golobos.com.