New Mexico
UNM and NMSU students create new rivalry trophy
University of New Mexico and New Mexico State students have come together to design a new trophy for their schools’ basketball rivalry.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Basketball fans from around the state gathered under one roof — The Pit — for the single-game of the men’s basketball Rio Grande Rivalry between New Mexico and New Mexico State on Saturday night.
“This is fantastic, considering we’ve had them, you know, canceled or postponed in the past,” said NMSU fan Jerry Gaussoin. “So, this is awesome.”
“Definitely love it because we’re ahead in the series,” said UNM fan Ray Chavez.
And this one is different for a few reasons.
“We’ve cut down the rivalry to one game,” said UNM student Carlos Tenorio II. “You know, fans have mixed emotions about it, but the fact that we still get to play each other, you know, once a year is still fantastic.”
The one game change came after the 2022 shooting on UNM’s campus involving students and an NMSU basketball player.
“It was hurtful to see, you know, something that matters so much to the state of New Mexico and so many New Mexicans get taken away,” Tenorio said.
Because of that incident — and the bad blood that followed — Tenorio reached out to NMSU’s student fan group to collaborate on a new project.
“Here we are with a trophy made, and that that’s exciting, because you hear about all these other trophies and like the Big 10 and the SEC that were that were made by the fan,” said NMSU student Joseph Settle. “Oh, that’s interesting. I wonder how it happened.”
Settle and Tenorio, along with Quinton Morrison, came up with this, a new Rio Grande Rivalry trophy.
“We have the Rio Grande running down, of course, for the Rio Grande Rivalry, and two stars representing both the city of Albuquerque and the city of Las Cruces in both schools’ color,” Tenorio said. “So, we got red and the crimson down there for Las Cruces with Rio Grande Rivalry in the old western font.”
The trophy was designed by local wood worker Andy Hageman and paid for by students.
Both Tenorio and Settle said they want to give the rivalry the hype it deserves.
“I think it’s definitely one of the more underrated rivalries in both college football and basketball,” Settle said.
The Aggies got to take the trophy back to Las Cruces after defeating the Lobos 89-83 in overtime.
1 hour ago
Updated: May 2, 2026, 2:24 pm EDTPublished: May 2, 2026, 2:24 pm EDT
A large landspout tornado was spotted towering over north-central New Mexico on Thursday, April 30, footage shows. Other videos of landspouts were posted from the area that day.
Hikers heading into the Sandia Mountains are being reminded to never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system after a man was found dead earlier this week along the popular La Luz Trail.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Hikers heading into the Sandia Mountains are being reminded to never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system after a man was found dead earlier this week along the popular La Luz Trail.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man as Samuel Gurule. Authorities say there are no signs of foul play and no obvious trauma, though the investigation into his death is ongoing.
While details remain limited, officials say the tragedy is serving as an important reminder for hikers to prepare carefully before heading into the mountains.
“Respect the mountains, respect the outdoors,” said Steve LaRese with the New Mexico Search and Rescue Council. “We want to see everybody outside. Everyone deserves to be outside.”
With hiking season in full swing, trails throughout the Sandias are drawing more visitors. While the Sandia Crest remains closed, lower‑elevation routes like La Luz are open — and can appear deceptively manageable.
“It looks very obtainable and very two‑dimensional,” LaRese said. “But when you get in there, it’s a lot of rolling terrain.”
Between steep terrain, heat, elevation, and winding paths, conditions can change quickly — and it’s easy to get turned around.
“Little things turn into big things,” LaRese explained. “It’s very easy to get off the main trail and end up in a steep area or somewhere you don’t want to be.”
Search and Rescue officials say that’s why preparation is critical, even on shorter hikes.
The New Mexico Search and Rescue Council encourages hikers to over‑prepare, even if they don’t expect trouble. Recommended items include:
- A light source, even for daytime hikes
- A whistle, which can help rescuers locate you
- Plenty of water and protection from the sun
If something does go wrong, officials stress that hikers should not hesitate to call for help.
“Search and Rescue in New Mexico is free,” LaRese said. “You won’t be charged for calling 911 or for a rescue team coming out to get you off the mountain.”
As temperatures continue to rise across New Mexico, hikers are urged to listen to their bodies and avoid pushing past their limits.
“Check your heart rate. Be realistic about your physical abilities,” LaRese said. “There’s nothing wrong with hiking two miles up and saying, ‘That’s a good day,’ and heading back. The mountain will always be there.”
One final reminder for hikers planning a summit route: never assume the Sandia Tram will be operating for a ride back down.
Weather conditions or maintenance closures can leave hikers stranded — sometimes facing a long descent after dark.
Officials say preparation, awareness, and knowing when to turn around can make the difference between a great hike and a dangerous situation.
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