The University of the Southwest in Hobbs has just announced the addition of the 7th and 8th intercollegiate sports in just over one year. That will bring the total number of official sports at USW to 17. This makes that university one of the fastest growing sports colleges in the country. The newest team sports added are M&W Cross Country, M&W Track & Field, M&W Golf and now M&W Indoor Track and Field. It is anticipated that USW and NMJC will again increase their number of sports when the over $60M Health, Fitness and Wellness Center is completed. That center will include many aquatic features including an amazing natatorium and will be available for use by expected USW, NMJC & HHS swimming and diving teams for men and women. That center is an unheard of cooperative effort by the Maddox Foundation, the City of Hobbs, Lea County, USW, NMJC and Hobbs schools.
For the future, other facilities that might inspire additional sports expansion by USW is the announced indoor competition rodeo arena to be built adjacent to the new indoor practice rodeo arena at NMJC across from Zia Park Casino and Racetrack. USW M&W Rodeo teams would be a natural fit to go along with the NMJC rodeo teams. NMJC also recently completed one of the best outdoor track and field venues complete with a turf football field. Which brings us full circle...when can the EnergyPlex expect its colleges to add football programs? I expect that to be a number of years away but getting much closer. The major problem besides money was the low number of similar area football teams. However, nearby UTPB in Odessa has just added football. If NMJC were to also follow as they could be expected to then USW & NMJC would each have nearby college teams to play. So, IMO the possibility and probability of those things happening are getting stronger.
One last thing...another indication of how serious the University of the Southwest is getting about sports is they just hired Clayton Jones to be the Sports Information Director which is a new position for the Mustangs. Congratulations to Clayton and please welcome him back home to New Mexico.
For the future, other facilities that might inspire additional sports expansion by USW is the announced indoor competition rodeo arena to be built adjacent to the new indoor practice rodeo arena at NMJC across from Zia Park Casino and Racetrack. USW M&W Rodeo teams would be a natural fit to go along with the NMJC rodeo teams. NMJC also recently completed one of the best outdoor track and field venues complete with a turf football field. Which brings us full circle...when can the EnergyPlex expect its colleges to add football programs? I expect that to be a number of years away but getting much closer. The major problem besides money was the low number of similar area football teams. However, nearby UTPB in Odessa has just added football. If NMJC were to also follow as they could be expected to then USW & NMJC would each have nearby college teams to play. So, IMO the possibility and probability of those things happening are getting stronger.
One last thing...another indication of how serious the University of the Southwest is getting about sports is they just hired Clayton Jones to be the Sports Information Director which is a new position for the Mustangs. Congratulations to Clayton and please welcome him back home to New Mexico.
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