CURRENT RECIPIENTS

Ray Birmingham
2009-2010 UNM Coach of the Year

Ray Birmingham hit another home run! This is the second time in three years that he was chosen Coach of the Year at the UNM Athletic Hall of Honor festivities. Under his charismatic leadership style, he led the Lobo baseball team to its first appearance in an NCAA Tournament since 1962. The team went 1-2 at the Fullerton Regional in California.

Coach Birmingham can be measured not only by his win-loss ratio of 38-22 overall and 14-8 in MWC play but also by the individual accomplishments of his players. Justin Howard led the nation with 119 hits and was among the leaders in his batting average. Justin Howard and Rafael Neda were named Louisville Slugger third team All-Americans. It was the first All-American honor for Howard and the sixth for Neda. Five Lobos heard their names called in the 2010 MLB Draft—Rafael Neda, Willy Kesler, Kenny Toves, Justin Howard and Ryan Honeycutt. Edwin Carl signed a free agent contract in late July. In all, four Lobos were named All-Mountain West Conference—Willy Kesler, Rafael Neda, Justin Howard and Chris Juarez.

Congratulations, Coach Birmingham, for your leadership — and another fine year of ball!

Kim Feldman