Silver City, N.M.—Western New Mexico Athletics, in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Affairs, announce the 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees. A total of six individuals, along with the 1984 baseball team, will be honored Friday morning at the Hall of Fame Banquet followed by a ride down North Bullard St. in downtown Silver City in the homecoming parade Saturday. The honorees will also be recognized during halftime at the Mustang football game Saturday evening under the lights.

The following are the seven inductees:

Mike Rowse
Pioneer Spirit Award
Mike Rowse graduated from Western New Mexico in 1988 after competing for the WNMU golf team. He returned to Silver City in 2001, bought out KSCQ radio station and began broadcasting Mustang Athletics and Silver High sports.
During his time as the "Voice of the Mustangs" Rowse provided color commentary for football and men's and women's basketball, while also doing public address for WNMU softball for 10 years. Outside of radio and PA announcing, Mike was instrumental in rehabbing the field known as the rock. He along with Matt Urban and Dave Crosley aerated, repaired the irrigation system and top dressed the football field for two years.
Mike is married to Linda Rowse, formerly Harris, and they have two daughters Jocelyn and Marissa.

1984 MENS BASEBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
Carl Romero, Scott Woodard, Jim Rubio, Rodney Smith, Tim Bravo, Logan White, Chris Corey, Sam Thomas, Greg Williamson, Mark Benedetto, Ronnie Reyes, Brian Widner, Rusty Lamar, Clint Hill, James Jackson, Junie Garcia, Davey Lopez, Mike Parris, Rick Haysler, Mike Kesler, Gilbert Rojas, Wayne Jackson
The 1984 Western New Mexico Baseball Team was the "Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament Champions," defeating Mesa State College 4-1 in the final game in Grand Junction, Colorado. The team was under the direction of third-year head coach, and eventual Western New Mexico "Hall of Fame" inductee, Mark Benedett. During the regular season, the team finished with a record of 33 wins and 20 losses and a winning percentage of .623.
The WNMU pitching staff pitched 370 innings, striking out 266 batters and a "second leading" in the conference ranking 5.32 ERA. Three pitchers from this team were selected in the Major League Baseball draft and soon went on to play at the next level.
The 1984 team had many players noted in the conference leading individual categories for the year: Individual Batting Overall: 6 players
Runs scored: 5 players, Hits: 4 players, Doubles: 3 players, Home Runs: 5 players (2 of which were number 1 rank w/18Hrs and number 2 rank w/17Hrs, RBIs: 5 players: (2 of which were number 1 ranked w/58 and number 2 ranked w/50, Stolen Bases: 2 players.
Overall Individual Pitching Leaders: 4 players
Innings Pitched: 2 players, Strikeouts: 2 players, Wins: 3 players, Saves: 3 players
The 1984 team played a rigorous season, with over 24 games against NCAA Division 1 schools on their regular schedule, and also participated in the prestigious San Diego State Sunlight Classic Tournament, where Western New Mexico (NAIA), the only Non-Division 1 team, finished in 3rd place.
The success of the 1984 Western New Mexico Baseball Team helped pave the way to a national ranking status for the year and recognition for the WNMU Baseball Program for years to come.

Raymond “Ray” Cross
Athletic Hall of Fame
Raymond "Ray" Cross played for the Mustang football team back in 1961, under then-head coach Al Johnson. In his first year, he saw time as a running back and wide receiver. After two seasons, Cross went on to serve in the military and work in the steel mill, before returning to Silver City in 1966. Cross graduated from Western New Mexico University in 1974.
A scholarship athlete, and captain his junior and senior seasons, the Indiana native returned to the field as a top defensive player in football, as well as a member of the 440-yard relay and the mile relay. In his final two seasons, Cross led the team in tackles and tackle assists on top of 16 interceptions. In the spring, Cross was a member of the 440-yard relay track team that set a school record, as well as the short distance events and mile relay.
Upon completing his Bachelors in Teaching in 1969, Cross was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent. An unfortunate knee injury kept him from moving past the training camp. Cross would shift gears, returning to WNMU for his Master's in Education.
Ray Cross dedicated 50 years to the Hammond Public School system, while also influencing the lives of young student-athletes as a football, basketball and track coach. His efforts earned him numerous football and basketball city championships, as well as an induction into the Hammond Football Hall of Fame

Tim Brancheau
Outstanding Alumnus Ambassador Award
Robert Tim Brancheau was born in Silver City, New Mexico on June 13, 1937. After growing up in Silver City, Brancheau began attending Western New Mexico University, majoring in Physical Education and History with a minor in Psychology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1959. Later he completed his Master's degree in Secondary Administration in 1964.

Brancheau has spent his career as an educator and coach, starting out at Gadsden Junior High in Anthony, New Mexico as a History and Physical Education teacher, while also coaching football, basketball, and track from 1959 to 1962.
He spent the majority of his career in West Covina, California, where he taught United States History, Physical Education, Health and Human Physiology, Psychology, and Body Building from 1962 to 1998. He also coached football in 1962, served as Varsity Assistant Football Coach from 1963 to 1971 before being promoted to Head Coach for the next twenty seasons, finishing in 1991. He was also the Head Track Coach from 1965 to 1990 before stepping down to Assistant Coach, where he has continued to this day.
Brancheau was also inducted into the WNMU Athletic Hall of Fame, gave the WNMU Fall Commencement Address, and received a spot on the City of West Covina Walk of Fame in 2013.

George Young
Distinguished Alumnus Award
George Young, born in Roswell, NM on July 24, 1937, was the first American runner to compete in four Olympics: 1960 (Rome), 1964 (Tokyo), 1968 (Mexico City), 1972 (Munich). George Young won the bronze medal in the 3000 meter steeple chase in the Mexico City Olympics.
George graduated from Western High School in Silver City, NM in 1955. He then attended the University of Arizona for his undergraduate degree. In 1967 George graduated from Western New Mexico University with his Master’s degree. He had an illustrious running career along with a very successful coaching career at Central Arizona College.
George was inducted into the US National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1981. In 2003 he was inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame. He is a member of the University of Arizona Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame.
George now resides with his wife Nancy, in between the cities of Casa Grande and Pinetop, Arizona. Throughout his illustrious running career George has held the American record for the 5000 meter, 3000m steeple chase, and the 4 x 1500 meter relay. He also held the world record for the indoor 2-mile (8:27.2) and indoor 3-mile (13:09.8).

Meredith Reischl
Athletic Hall of Fame
Meredith Reischl, formerly Drahota, was a standout student-athlete for the Mustangs from 2003-2007 and a graduate assistant coach from 2007-2010. The native of Phoenix, Arizona dedicated four years to the Mustangs, setting records in nearly every offensive category.

A starting utility player, Meredith finished her career atop the record books, setting a single-season record for the highest stolen base percentage (.941) as a junior in 2006. As a senior she finished her career with the highest slugging percentage (.771), most runs scored in (54), and most home runs (15) in a single season. By the time she graduated, she ranked in the top-5 in 12 different categories including (#3) highest slugging percentage (.630), (#2) highest on-base percentage (.431 ), (#3) most hits (202), (#4) most doubles (43) and (#3) most RBIs (113).
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Minor in History in 2007, and a Master of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies in 2009, Meredith dedicates her time teaching and coaching softball at the high school and middle school levels in Chandler, Arizona. She and fellow WNMU alumnus Marques Reischl have three beautiful kids and will celebrate their ten-year anniversary this year.

Mario Quintana
Outstanding Alumnus Award
Born on September 27, 194 7, Mario Quintana has been a lifelong resident of Silver City. He started playing baseball at the age of six, playing in little league, pony league, and teen baseball in the Silver City area for over 9 years, even making All-Star teams in the pony and little league division.
In high school, Mario took a job as a dishwasher at Western New Mexico University and soon became a student at the institute upon graduation. Quintana played for the Western New Mexico Baseball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Academic Studies in 1989.
Quintana joined the Grant County Semi-Pro Baseball league where he received an All-Star nomination. He's continued to play baseball, winning many district and state tournaments, and has led his team to national championships. Currently, Quintana plays for the men's 70s Slow-Pitch Senior League, and recently qualified to play in the National Games for 2019 in Albuquerque, NM.
In addition to playing softball and baseball, Quintana is also an accomplished coach and has guided both male and female teams ranging from little league baseball to men's leagues. He has also served as the Senior Olympic Coordinator for several years, and has received numerous awards, including the 2014 Male Golden Athlete of the Year, the 2016 K. Rose Wood Outstanding Older Adult Award, and the Volunteer of the Year award in 2018. Quintana continues to support local softball and baseball and does his part to ensure that Grant County community members stay active, involved, and healthy.
The inductees will be honored at the Hall of Fame Banquet held on the Pool Patio on the WNMU Campus, Friday at 10 a.m.
In addition to the banquet, Western New Mexico Alumni are welcome to join in on the following events throughout Friday and Saturday.

FRIDAY OCT 4
10 A.M. - ATHLETIC & ALUMNI HALL OF FAME BANQUET HELD UNDER THE TENT ON THE POOL PATIO 5:30 P.M. - RECEPTION NOCHE RANCHERA TICKET HOLDERS - FINE ARTS CENTER THEATRE
7 P.M. - LIVE CONCERT: NOCHE RANCHERA FEATURING WNMU MARIACHI PLATA, 􀀉NGELICA PADILLA & FRIENDS
SATURDAY OCT 5
8 A.M. - 5K FUN RUN!
8 A.M. - PANCAKE BREAKFAST, COLLEGE & BULLARD
10:30 A.M. - WNMU HOMECOMING PARADE
1 P.M - MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL vs. ST. EDWARDS
1 P.M. - ALUMNI GATHERING AT BOARD PRESIDENT ALFRED OGAS' HOME 4 P.M. - ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP TAILGATE
6 P.M. - MUSTANG FOOTBALL vs. UT PERMIAN BASIN
Athletics will be in full swing starting Thursday with Mustang volleyball hosting St. Mary’s on Drag’s Court at 6 p.m. Saturday will feature volleyball at 1 p.m. against St. Edward’s, followed by football at 6 p.m. versus UT – Permian Basin. Saturday’s game will mark the first football game under the lights in program and school history.