CURRENT RECIPIENTS

Dr. Harold Bailey
UNM Alumni Lettermen's Athletic Hall of Honor
2010 Inductee

Dr. Harold Bailey is a man of excellence and education, who has worked steadfastly for equality. He has succeeded on the track, in the classroom, and in African American advocacy. He is a three-time track and field Letterman and a three-time University of New Mexico graduate, who has amassed over three decades of public service for the state of New Mexico.

Harold's track career began as a Bulldog at Albuquerque High School. After graduation, Harold received an athletic scholarship and attended the University of New Mexico where he earned an athletic letter in 1965, 1966 and 1968. He placed third in the high hurdles at the 1968 Western Athletic Conference Championship. He was also on the UNM team that held the fastest combined time in the United States in the 120 yard hurdle shuttle.

Upon graduating with his bachelor's degree from UNM, Harold began giving back to his community by coaching basketball and track at Albuquerque High School while working on his master's degree. As assistant coach, he helped lead the Albuquerque High School Bulldogs' varsity basketball team to a state championship in 1971. Alvin Meadors, one of Harold's student athletes, said that he "always admired [Coach Bailey] because of his character and his love to give back to the community as well as his athletic ability and his attitude about life." He said Coach Bailey would always be willing to help his athletes with homework or offer advice about issues at home.

In graduate school, Harold was nominated for the Phi Kappa Phi honor society because of his 4.0 GPA. While raising his family and working full-time, he received his Ph.D. with the highest honors.

The Honorable Tommy Jewell described Harold's accomplishments as "remarkable and inspirational to those who see athletic and academic excellence connected."

Harold's achievements in academics extend far beyond his own education. A teacher in the Albuquerque Public Schools for more than 20 years, Harold has been an inspiration to a generation of students. He has taught classes from D level behavioral disorder to gifted programs.

The Reverend Charles Becknell, Sr., says that Harold "is a man of outstanding character and impeccable integrity," as is showcased by his strong support of UNM Afro-American Studies. While working on his Ph.D. in American Studies, he was the assistant director of UNM Afro-American Studies. Upon receiving his doctorate, he became the program's director.

Harold's strong background in teaching and his passion for the African American community made him the ideal candidate for New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to appoint as director of the State's Office of African American Affairs.

Over the course of his career, Harold has served as president of the NAACP in Albuquerque, advisory member to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, chairman of the UNM Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, state chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission, state chairman of the New Mexico Black Studies Consortium, graduate school minority recruiter and national executive board member of the National Council for Black Studies.

Harold's dedication to athletics, academics and advocacy make him an excellent choice for the UNM Alumni Lettermen's Athletic Hall of Honor.

Michael Green