LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- Teamwork. Selflessness. Synergy.
Those are just a few of the many adjectives that best describe the 1981 New Mexico Highlands RMAC championship football team.
The players are the first to admit this Cowboys squad was far from the most talented team in the conference – but it was a dedication to each other that propelled them to the 1981 RMAC title, the Cowboys' last outright conference football crown.
"When the culture was changing … it was about treating everyone – from the top players on the team to the guys that never saw the field – the same way off the field," 1981 NMHU football alum Jay Lewis said. "When we'd have a get together – we made sure everyone was there. It wasn't about us as individuals. It was about the team. That's what I feel like turned things for us."
But that togetherness hasn't gone away as a group of players from that special season have returned to New Mexico each year since 1992 to catch up.
This year they – Dave Castillo, Von Evans, John Jackson, Dino Jones, Pete Przyborowski and Lewis – brought a gift to NMHU.
In the years since their title season, their championship trophy was unfortunately damaged beyond repair. The group brought the Cowboys a new trophy to display in the trophy case in the Hall of Honor at the Stu Clark Building.
"Preserving and honoring the history of athletics at this university is so important – and we are incredibly thankful to them for this trophy," NMHU interim athletic director
Craig Snow said. "This is a great example that can be used within our department this upcoming year. These guys were – and are – so close and developed such good chemistry that they are still getting together all these years later. We have talented teams on campus, but talent is just part of the equation. If we can learn from this championship team and build chemistry and cohesiveness to add to the talent – we can have a special year."
As for this 1981 team, its success started the year before in developing the chemistry needed to become champs. In 1980 the Cowboys went 4-6 overall and 3-5 in RMAC action – but used that experience and time to build momentum heading into 1981, including returning nearly every starter on both sides of the ball.
"(NMHU coach) Fred Bleil talked about being together – being good teammates," said Przyborowski, quarterback for the Cowboys from 1980-81. "The program started being successful because we worked hard, made each other accountable and stayed together."
The 1981 season didn't start well as NMHU dropped its first three games, including the Cowboys' conference opener. This is where teams with lesser chemistry often fall apart.
But this wasn't one of those teams as the Cowboys bounced back to win their final seven games of the season and claim the RMAC championship.
While the men went their own ways after graduation, they still find time to return to New Mexico each year and catch up with those teammates that persevered and stood by each other - day in and day out - to achieve their goal of winning a football conference championship for New Mexico Highlands.
The team also serves as inspiration to the athletic programs at New Mexico Highlands. It shows chemistry, looking out for the team's best interest and camaraderie that lasts a lifetime (literally in the 1981 team's case) can translate to success on the field.
