On Feb. 13, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce hosted the University of New Mexico luncheon featuring UNM President Garnett S. Stokes, Athletics Director Fernando Lovo and Head Football Coach Jason Eck at the Embassy Suites.
The event was an opportunity to put a spotlight on the impact of UNM athletics within the community. The event was emceed by Del Archuleta, GACC Education BIG chair, and Terri Cole, GACC president and CEO.
Cole said the theme of the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda is competitiveness.
“Every item on our agenda relates to improving our cities and state’s ability to compete for new business, new workers, new residents, new visitors,” Cole told the audience. “Because in conjunction with our community prioritizing our college sports teams as well as the university administration, it’s what would be necessary to keep us on a competitive footing with the other schools in our conference and region, and when we compete and win at the University of New Mexico, our economy and community benefit tremendously.”
Stokes emphasized that UNM’s impact on culture, economy and healthcare extends far beyond its campuses — touching every corner of the state.
“Today, we will share how our athletics program, particularly football, can positively impact the surrounding community, local economy and institutions,” Stokes said. “A thriving athletics program enhances our university’s profile. It attracts more students, faculty and research funding. It builds community pride, and it brings us together in ways that few programs can. An investment in our athletics program is an investment in our community’s future. It’s about creating an unparalleled fan experience, boosting local businesses and putting Albuquerque and New Mexico on the national stage.”
Lovo addressed the more than 200 business and community leaders by saying that UNM athletics generates nearly $75.2 million worth of yearly economic activity across Albuquerque, according to a study contracted by the department.
Over $150 million in local direct and indirect revenue over the last three years was traced to Lobo athletic events, representing nearly a fourth of the total economic impact provided by the department in that span, he said.
“Investing in athletics is investing in economic development,” Lovo said. “The numbers don’t lie.”
The study also revealed the athletic department has brought in $252 million in advertising value through nationally televised football and basketball games over the last three years.
With six games on ESPN, FS1 and truTV last season, Lobo football brought in an estimated $97 million worth of organic exposure for the school and Albuquerque as a whole — “the equivalent of $86 million invested in manual advertising campaigns,” Lovo continued.
Eck began by thanking the Chamber and the guests for attending because it shows the opportunity that’s here in Albuquerque and New Mexico for UNM athletics to continue to grow.
Eck said when he was contacted about the football coach position at UNM, he didn’t know much about New Mexico — which sent him down a path of gathering information.
“There’s so many things that I think that the nation as a whole doesn’t know about New Mexico that they need to know, and I think they’ll be excited about as they learn more about it,” Eck said. “I think we can be helping that front porch for the university and front porch to really sell this, this whole state, and the beauty of college athletics, it’s a little different. And I think one of the opportunities I saw in taking this position is being in a state where you’re at the flagship university. There’s no power for institutions in this state. There are obviously no major pro sports, no NBA, no NFL here. So, there’s an opportunity to rally around this program and have this be a stronghold, and we’re going to work our tails off to do that. … America loves football, and they rally around it. It’s probably one of the few things that really unites people of all different races, people of different political backgrounds, where they’re all coming together, rooting for their team, for the Lobos on a Saturday afternoon. I think that’s a beautiful thing, the power behind it. I think there is a true return on investment when you invest in football.”
To hear all the speeches, click here and to see Albuquerque Journal coverage, click here.
