Athletics director retires

by Katy Knapp

Daily Lobo

Rudy Davalos is retiring after 13 years as Athletics Director at UNM.

He said the decision to retire on Aug. 31, 2006, was a tough one, but he felt it was the right time.

"I always wanted to leave when the program was on top," he said Tuesday at the UNM Board of Regents meeting.

Davalos said at a press conference at the Tow Diehm Athletic Complex on Tuesday he is looking forward to spending time with his children, grandchildren and wife Gail.

"I want to get to know my family better," he said.

He said his job doesn't allow him freedom to take off at any time he wants.

"I just really want total freedom," Davalos said.

During the meeting, Regent Mel Eaves announced a basketball practice facility south of The Pit would be called the Rudy Davalos Basketball Center.

The state appropriated $4.2 million to renovate the 20,000-square-foot gymnastics building.

"This will be a real attraction for NCAA tournaments," Eaves said.

Jamie Koch, president of the Board of Regents, said another director will be hired by June 2006. He said Davalos will stick around to help find a replacement and be active in the hiring process. Davalos will also continue to advise the Athletics Department, Koch said.

"You don't take an old guy and just throw him out," he said, laughing.

Koch said Davalos has made significant changes to the Athletics Department at UNM since he took the position in 1992.

Koch said that prior to 1992, the student athlete GPA was 2.73. In the spring 2005 semester, the average GPA was 3.02.

Davalos has also been successful at fund raising, he said. In 1992, the budget for the Athletics Department was $9.4 million. For the 2005-06 fiscal year, the budget is $22 million.

Davalos said upgrading The Pit before he leaves is a major priority.

"I want to see The Pit modernized," he said. "That is huge."

Davalos said he thinks Gov. Bill Richardson and the Legislature will support the face-lift financially, because the upgrades would benefit New Mexico by attracting NCAA tournaments.

Davalos hired Don Flanagan, the women's basketball coach, in 1995. Flanagan said Davalos was a good boss because he wasn't a micromanager.

"He gave me the space and room to develop my own program," he said. "He wasn't always looking over my shoulder. But he was a valuable resource if I needed one."

Ritchie McKay, men's basketball head coach, said Davalos is passionate, and because of that he comes off as brash.

"Rudy's been tremendous," he said. "Although, he is somewhat misunderstood because he is so emphatic in the way he communicates. As a coach, I admire that. His leadership is outstanding."

Davalos has defended his program several times, most recently when McKay was accused by the American Civil Liberties Union of using his position to preach Christianity to players.

In January, Flanagan was under attack from the NAACP for alleged unfair treatment toward African-American players on the women's basketball team after former player Fatima Maddox was not allowed to start a game. She asked the NAACP for assistance to transfer to another school. Davalos said he stood by Flanagan and dismissed the charge.

Davalos said he won't miss the stress and pressure of the job. But, he will miss one thing.

"We've got really passionate fans and I love them - most of the time," he said.