What's going on, Albuquerque?

Woof! Woof! Woof!

I am completely and totally unapologetic about my love for Lobo Basketball. I still have my stuffed Louie Lobo from 1966. I started going to the games at The Pit when I was four, the year that it was built. Everyone in my family would take turns being dragged to the games by me. We still sit in the same seats - four rows from the floor. As a child, I hated when the Lobos had road games, but my undying loyalty kept my ear next to my transistor radio listening to Mike Roberts give his play by play.

I remember the days of coach Bob King and point guard Petie Gibson, one of my all time favorite players. Who wouldn't love a player that hits the winning basket in the last seconds against those dreadful Aggies?!

As soon as I set foot in The Pit I would lose all inhibitions. Nothing has changed. I still scream, and flail my arms for those three pointers or if "Moose" Stubing, the infamous ref, made a bad call. I was there the night Marvin Johnson made 50 points in one game. And who else remembers when someone threw a cup on the court causing the Lobos to lose to the UTEP Miners in 1986? I loved when we played against UTEP. I would keep one eye on the floor and the other eye on Coach Don "The Bear" Haskins waiting to see if he would get mad enough at the refs to get ejected.

I was there through Stormin' Norman Ellenberger's reign, his turquoise necklaces, his "Make it Happen" catch phrase and of course the disgrace of Lobogate. I've seen the good coaches, the bad coaches, and the ugly coaches. I've lost faith in many of them, but never in the players.

I don't want to debate the politics of sports at universities. That's for others to do. Whether you love the men's team or the women's team, it doesn't matter. Go to a game and yell at the top of your lungs at one of the most exciting places in the country to see college basketball. I merely want to profess my love for the game and the incredible joy I have when I yell for my favorite team. Go Lobos!

0 members like this

Comment by Diego on December 12, 2007 at 10:30am: I have been an Aggie and a Lobo but my heart lays with the Lobos. It was a special treat when your dad would give my dad "the tickets" sometimes my dad couldn't go and would give me the tickets and I would take a date, they would usually be impressed. You have some of the best seats in the house. I am not a avid sports fan (go figure) but Lobo games are always exciting. I like to watch the male "cheer leaders" they are so funny. When I was much, much younger I remember the first time finding our (your) seats and we kept going down and down and down and then I was like AWESOME... so cuz if you ever can't go to one of the games I would love the tickets because I haven't had a date in a long time.

Comment by Masshole in Fringecrest on December 12, 2007 at 10:50am: Lemme know if you can't use those tickets some night....

Comment by Louie D Lobo on December 12, 2007 at 3:21pm: I was lucky enough to spend 5 years on the floor of the Pit during the Dave Bliss era. It was during that time we traveled to the NCAA tournament, numerous times, not to get past the 2nd round. We were always disappointed not to move onto another exciting sports venue, but we returned home with a greater appreciation for the Pit and all of the fans housed here. Where else can you go that a group of people can make enough noise to silence a jet engine?

Some of my favorite moments include: tempting Coach Rick Majerus with a pizza box (string attached); the “Lobo of the Dance” with the UNM Chaparrals in tribute to Michael Flatley, but in some ways better than “Lord of the Dance”; antics with the Utah Jazz Bear; countless ripped shirts revealing the Superman “S” in hopes of intimidating the other team; the cardiovascular/quad building ramp; the nail biting/praying game scenarios that came about that actually kept people in their seats instead of leaving early to get to their cars to beat the “crazy” Albuquerque traffic; taunting numerous referees (I stayed away from “Moose”); team members including Charles Smith, Royce Olney, Lamont Long and Kenny Thomas; making kids smile (or cry in some cases); EVERY New Mexico State game; and most importantly, connecting with the most amazing fans in the country.

To this day I have a hard time just sitting and watching a game in the Pit, but I still haven’t lost appreciation for the 37 foot deep hole in the ground.

Comment by Louie D Lobo on December 12, 2007 at 4:07pm: Due to the logistics and the ever diligent Fire Marshall, fire was a big no-no in the Pit. The Jazz Bear couldn't even do his world famous flaming hoop trick. There were even issues when it came to getting a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle on the floor.

The San Diego Aztec (and his pecs) never traveled to the Pit (or University Stadium for that matter) when I was there. Wait a minute, this sounds like a conversation I had with a world famous reporter/journalist!

Comment by NMBosque on December 12, 2007 at 5:00pm: Oh my gosh, Adelita, what a flood of memories you stirred up! I too loved the little (something like 5'8"?) bow-legged Petie Gibson and remember listening on an AM radio, counting the number of assists as he approached one record or another... The intense rivalry with UNLV. And Marvin Johnson, as you noted, one of the greatest offensive players ever, teamed with Michael Cooper, arguably one of the greatest defensive players ever to set foot on the Pit floor for a fantastic two-year stretch. Amazing.

Comment by hettie on December 12, 2007 at 5:21pm: kenny thomas! my senior year at ahs was the season he played for the bulldogs and we used to love going to games, especially if we were playing la cueva or el dorado. I remember being so excited later on to go to lobos games and watch him play. at some point I would always say "I went to school with him!"

Comment by Donny Ozmund on December 12, 2007 at 5:26pm: Being a "newbie," I don't know much about Lobo basketball; but Adelita, you'd be a natural in the dawg pound of Cleveland Browns Stadium cheering them on with a hearty "Woof, Woof, Woof!" Want to be a Browns Backer?

Comment by Dr Dan on December 12, 2007 at 8:03pm: My dad worked for company that rented Construction equipment, and he took me when they were digging the hole. The roof was already up and I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. Big machines under a big roof. I was about 4-5. I was there when Automatic scored 50 and I took a friend that cancer took a few years ago, Its a moment we will always share. I was in college for the cup game, but my favorite "Bear" moment was when UTEP was losing and the refs (I think it was Moose) ignored Haskins, Haskins calmly walked out to center court, took the "T" and the crowd roared with laughter. The PIT was a special place to me and my dad where for years we were in sec 23 row 32

Comment by Adelita on December 12, 2007 at 9:40pm: Wow Dr. Dan, how cool to see the construction of the famous Pit! A very special friend of mine gave me a piece of the Pit floor. It stays next to my Lobo Louie. And as for Haskins, I just always loved that guy. He shoulda been a Lobo!

Donny - I don' t know much about the Browns, but a big Woof Woof Woof shout out to everyone in Cleveland!

Masshole - If I or my daughter or my niece, or my sister, or my brother-in-law, or any of my aunts, uncles and cousins don't want the tickets...they're yours!

Doug - You're wife's comment about the Pit made me laugh so hard. Has she been to a game?

NM Bosque - I think as a little kid I just loved saying the name Petie and watching him run around all the big guys.

Louie da Lobo - I am honored to be graced by your comments! Did your mom used to go see you at the games? I mighta sat near her...

Hettie - Kenny Thomas!!! Whew! What a powerhouse.

EFP - Glad you found something positive say. The Lady Lobos rock!

Kitson - You're pretty awesome yourself

Comment by Adelita on December 12, 2007 at 9:48pm: DIEGO!!! Let's get you a ticket and we'll all squish together on that little bench. Don't forget your pom poms!

Comment