Las Vegas, New Mexico - The New Mexico Highlands H-Club will induct the Class of 2025 into the H-Club Hall of Fame on September 18, 2025. The festivities get under way in the Student Union Ball room at 5:00 pm.
Meet the Class of 2025:
1991–92 Cowgirl Basketball Team
The 1991–92 Cowgirl basketball team is widely regarded as one of the finest in New Mexico Highlands University history. Champions of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Cowgirls finished the season with an impressive 21–9 overall record and a dominant 10–2 mark in conference play. Those 21 wins still stand as a school record.
Known for their high-energy, uptempo style, the Cowgirls played a relentless, high-pressure brand of basketball. Their offensive firepower was on full display as they surpassed the 100-point mark in three separate games during the season. One of the team's signature victories came in dramatic fashion, as they traveled to Albuquerque and defeated the University of New Mexico 70–62!
Excellence wasn't limited to the hardwood. Each member of the 1991–92 Cowgirl squad achieved a GPA of 3.50 or higher. Every player and coach on the team hailed from the state of New Mexico, making this squad a proud representation of local talent and dedication.
Meet the Team:
Cindy "Chickonky" Phillips from Albuquerque
Pat "Cakes" Steward from Roswell
Michelle Adams "Bomb" from Albuquerque
Rochelle "Tre" Brown from Kirkland
Sherry "Swat" Willis from Las Vegas
Pam "Mama" Sandoval from Las Vegas
"Killer" Bea Gallegos from Las Vegas
Francine "Chairman of the Board" Blea from Santa Fe
Kristi "Terminator" Harris from Pojoaque
Yvonne "Get the Job Done" Rivera from Pojoaque
Bernadette "Smiley" Zamora from Belen
Assistant Coach Joey Sais from Los Lunas
Head Coach Cindy Roybal from Pecos
Rhett Stallworth
Yuma, Arizona, native Rhett Stallworth came to New Mexico Highlands as a highly decorated prep wrestler and football player. That success in high school transitioned into collegiate success as was a four year letter winner for the Cowboys for Coach Jim Ewan from 1992-95. After leading the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in tackles in 1994 and 1995 he earned All-Conference honors. His collegiate career was topped off with All-American honors after the 1995 season. After graduating in the spring of 1996 Stallworth played football for the Lacrosse River Rats of the IFL.
He returned to his native Arizona and began teaching and coaching at Yuma High School. In 2004 he was named the head coach and athletic director at Yuma Catholic. The rest, as they say is history…Stallworth amassed a record of 176-31 with the Shamrocks coaching in eight Arizona State Championships, winning three titles. He went to the state playoffs every season he was the head coach at Yuma Catholic. He earned numerous Coach of the Year honors. His son Richard is a quarterback at Lake Forest College and his son Rocky is a linebacker at New Mexico State.
Rhett retired from coaching in 2024 and is currently the president of Yuma Catholic High School. He is a Rotarian, Elks member, and is a member of the United Way of Yuma County where he has served as the President of the United Way for 6 years.
Jonathon Mines
Jonathon Mines played basketball for Coach Craig Snow from 2014-16. In his two seasons in a NMHU uniform he eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark averaging nearly 21 points per game. Following his senior season he was named First Team All-RMAC and Second Team D2CCA All- Region. He finished the season as the number three scorer in the conference. Mines was also a standout in the classroom as he was on the NMHU Dean's List and First Team Academic All-RMAC.
After his collegiate career, Mines played professionally in Spain, Croatia, Greece, Germany, and Australia. He used that experience to found Strive Basketball Australia. He creates opportunities for high school athletes to secure U.S. college scholarships through elite training, exposure-driven tours, and values-based mentorship. Under his leadership, he has successfully placed athletes in NCAA and junior college programs. He also works as an international scout and certified agent at Rise Sports Management, representing professional players across Asia, Europe, Australia, and the NBA G-League.
Ralph Arellanes
Ralph Arellanes was a decorated football player and wrestler at West Las Vegas High School when he chose to attend New Mexico Highlands University and join the Cowboy wrestling team. He wrestled for the Cowboys in 1980 and 1981 after which he dedicated his life to the sport and compiled a career in the sport that spanned six decades and over 55 years of officiating and coaching.
Among his many accomplishments, Arellanes led the effort to bring back wrestling at New Mexico Highlands University in 2003 and again in 2010. NMHU is now the only intercollegiate wrestling program in the state of New Mexico thanks in large part to the efforts of Arellanes.
In 2011 Arellanes was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House for Lifetime Achievements in Civil Rights and Social Justice.
Gabe Lucero
A graduate of Valley High School in Albuquerque, Gabe Lucero was set to go to Grand Junction, Colorado, to attend Mesa State College. Fortunately, Dan Romero, a member of the NMHU football team, convinced him to head north and attend school and wrestle in Las Vegas. He walked on the wrestling team and became the starter at the 142 pound weight class. He was on the wrestling team alongside his brothers Gilbert and Dennis who both were All-Americans.
Lucero became a three time All-RMAC honoree under the guidance of Coach Ralph Szydlik. At the end of his senior season he qualified for the NAIA National Tournament. He was one of five Cowboys to head to Nationals in Oregon where his brother Gilbert became NMHU's first Wrestling All-American.
Tim Saiz
Tim Saiz began his athletic career as a soccer player in Washington and quickly turned into a multi-sport athlete when his family relocated to Bloomfield, New Mexico. After helping his high school team to a state championship game appearance, he caught the eye of coaches in Las Vegas and he earned a scholarship to New Mexico Highlands University.
After a stellar playing career at NMHU, Tim Saiz the kicker held no fewer than eight single game, season and career NAIA kicking records. To this day, his name is still listed among the leaders in the NAIA Football Record Book. And Saiz the defender led the team in interceptions in 1985 and 1985.
Saiz graduated from New Mexico Highlands with a bachelor's degree in Human Performance and Sport and a minor in Coaching. He went on to earn a master's degree in Global Management. Tim is a proud husband to Leah (Rudolph) Saiz, father to Kinsey and Kolton — his pride and joy — and bonus dad to Paige and Taylor. He raised his children with the same determination and love that defined his journey.
Mike Slason
A native of Bellingham, Massachusetts, Mike Slason attended New Mexico Highlands University from 1977 to 1982. While in Las Vegas Slason was a four year starter on the football team and a member of the 1981 Football Team that was inducted into the H Club a year ago. He led the Cowboys in receiving in 1979 and was RMAC Honorable Mention in 1980. He was also the holder on all field goals and extra points for four years. Additionally, he was a member of the NMHU baseball team in 1980 and 1981 and was selected to the All-RMAC tournament team in 1980.
Upon graduation from New Mexico Highlands he returned to the Bay State and dedicated his life to teaching and coaching. He won state five championships coaching track & field and football. He is a multiple winner of the Boston Globe Coach of the Year and was named the Massachusetts State Football Officials Coach of the Year.
Slason resides in Plymouth, Massachusetts, with his wife Linnea. They have 3 children, Stephanie (husband Rob), Timothy and Patrick (wife Hanna) and 4 grandchildren – Mason, Gavin, Zoey and Cooper.
