July 14 Santa Fe, New Mexico

Next I flew into Albuquerque, New Mexico and drove over to Santa Fe for the AAU Grand Nationals Wrestling tourney. Upon landing at the airport I was greeted by a small band of musicians. What a treat, for they were welcoming me and wrestling back to New Mexico at the college level. Mike Lujan, local wrestling coach and big-time promoter of wrestling orchestrated this welcoming and had a lot to do with the start of a new college wrestling program at New Mexico Highlands University (aDII program in Las Vegas, N.M.). Mike Moyer, Executive Director of NWCA met me in New Mexico for this event. The night before the tournament a gathering of the people who helped make this happen took place. Quite an event! For as long as I have been doing things for the sport of wrestling I learned a few new things with this group. This start up program is the only opportunity in New Mexico for college wrestling and a good, strong base of wrestlers are at the high school level. Realizing the void, the state legislature appropriated funds for this program and also a women's rodeo program at Highlands. Congratulations! Doing it the right way happened through opportunities…not elimination. What a break through! Why had this not happened sooner?

Well, I introduced the new head coach, my great friend from way back, Doug Moses. Coach Moses has had a few tough years since his championship program at former University of Southern Colorado eliminated wrestling. It was the most successful athletic program on campus when it got axed. Pueblo needs it back to help the opportunities of wrestlers within the already strong-built high school and youth wrestling system in Colorado.

One last comment – before my own eyes I witnessed a start-up program by the state government that didn't have a wrestling mat get one within one minute. This was unique, but one of several things I learned on this trip.

New Mexico – thanks and keep building!

Next – Newton, Iowa and the International Wrestling Institute and Museum