FOR MANY FANS, ATTENDING EVENTS — ESPECIALLY LOBO GAMES — BROUGHT FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER
I WAS 13 years old when the Pit opened. My father had frequently attended Lobo basketball games at Johnson Gym. I only recall going to one of those games with him, against UTEP, and all I remember is that it was raucous. He and several of his work buddies decided to buy season tickets for the first year the Lobos would be in the Pit. Because he was buying adult season tickets, he could buy season tickets for a child (under 14) for $5 — that’s right the whole season for 5 bucks. He bought two: one for me and one for me to bring a friend. … He bought chairbacks for himself and his friends.
My seats were bench seats, two rows from the floor, right under the north basket. We had a birds-eye view of the players, the sweat, the swearing and the intensity. And, we didn’t have to sit with my father! For a 13-year-old girl, that was magical. Thus began my 50 year love affair with the Lobos and the Pit. That deal only lasted one year as far as I know, but my father bought me those two tickets every year until he died in 2009. I went away to college; he kept the holiday tickets for me and sold the rest. I moved to Houston; he kept the holiday tickets for me and sold the rest. When I thankfully moved back to Albuquerque in 1980, he kept buying me those tickets. As he lived into his 80s, my partner and I started driving him to the games. We’d share a ceremonial wave just before the tip-off and then drive home together, listening to the postgame show, either celebrating or grousing about the outcome or the refs or the coach.
At my parents’ house, my mother would be waiting. We’d toast the Lobos with good bourbon and wonder when we would reach the Promised Land of the Final Four, or at least the Sweet Sixteen. Alas, my father did not live to see it, but he stuck with his Lobos through thick and thin and he delighted in being a loyal Lobo fan.
At some point, he had the forethought to put my tickets in my name. I’ve inherited his passion for the Lobos and cherish the time and the basketball memories I shared with him. He’s with me at every game. — Havens Levitt AFTER (MARVIN JOHNSON’S 50-point game) I rushed down from the mezzanine to the floor to get Marvin’s autograph. On the front of the ticket he signed “Marvin Johnson/ 50 pts/ #21.” On the back, he signed “Marvin Johnson/ #21/ ‘matic/ 50 pts.” It’s a blessing that he’s remained in Albuquerque and contributed so much to youth sports and other positive aspects of our community. — Carlos Jaicu
I WAS A young teenager when the Pit first opened. One of my fondest memories is of going to the Pit on Saturday afternoons and watching the Lobos practice. Ron Nelson (and) Ron Becker were my favorite players and my sister and I could watch them for hours. — Colleen Hammond
I CAN REMEMBER when me, my brother, and dad saw the Hobbs Eagles and Clovis Wildcats played for the AAAA State Championship Game. It was the Taylor Boys against Bubba Jennings who broke Hobbs press like it was nothing. Bubba Jennings even got hurt, and twisted his ankle, but Tow Diehm the trainer for the UNM Lobos taped Bubba’s ankle, and he came back in and almost won the Game for Clovis. Ralph Tasker just had too many weapons and Hobbs won State, but barely. What a game for me to see with my dad and brother. That is my Favorite Pit Memory! — Richard E. Martinez
AS THEY WERE building the Pit my Dad, Frank Lucero, would take us to watch the progress of the construction; in 1965-1966 they didn’t have to fence construction sites off. He decided where he wanted to sit and sat there for 32 years; I have sat in basically the same seat for 50 years. I started going to games with my parents and brothers added my husband, children and now my grandchildren go with us to the games. I still feel the same excitement I had in 1966. Lobo basketball has been very important to my family and we have enjoyed the past 50 years at the Pit. Here’s to many more years of basketball at the Pit. Go Lobos!! — Elizabeth Lucero Wilson
MY FAVORITE sports memory of the Pit is attending the Final Four. Two nights watching future NBA players on the court and walking the concourse. Concerts, Stevie Wonder opening for the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles and a solo concert by Sir Elton John. — RB
PIT MEMORIES: The greatest upset in the history of the Boys State Basketball Tourney, 1967, my alma mater Manzano over Hobbs. And, as a lifelong Beach Boys fanatic, the early 80s, at the Pit, I saw the original Beach Boys lineup in concert for the last time. Dennis Wilson died shortly thereafter and Brian Wilson retired again. — Vince Guillen