NM daily Lobo 083013

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DAILY LOBO new mexico

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friday

August 30, 2013

The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895

Men’s soccer starts 30th year in Division I A look at the who, why and how of the No. 11 Lobo team by J.R. Oppenheim

assistantsports@dailylobo.com @JROppenheim Dave Robertson wasn’t on the first UNM men’s soccer roster when it gained NCAA status in 1983. He spent his first year of college on a soccer scholarship at San Diego State. But deep down, he didn’t feel like an Aztec. “I’ll tell you, when I was at San Diego State, I remember going to see SDSU play the Lobos in basketball and thinking ‘Hell, I’m at SDSU but I want the Lobos to win,’” he said. “That was telling me something.” While Dave was in California, his dad Craig Robertson was leading the UNM men’s soccer team in its first season of a program that would become one of the University’s most renowned sports program. Thirty years later, UNM has established a résumé that gives every other Lobo team a run for its money: 342 wins, a .739 home winning percentage, seven conference regular-season championships since 2002, 10 NCAA tournament appearances, four Sweet 16 appearances and a national runner-up finish in 2005. With solid fan support over the years — UNM has placed in the top 10 in attendance eight times — UNM begins its 30th season of NCAA competition this year today with a home game against Villanova, and current head coach Jeremy Fishbein said he’s excited to mark the occasion. “The foundation was set long ago and there’s some great players, great coaches,” Fishbein said. “I’ve come on the back end of it and I’m just really thankful for the opportunity and keep getting better every day. That’s our goal.” The first steps Lobo men who wanted to take to the pitch had competed as a club team, but player support for Division I status grew in the early ‘80s and club coach Craig Robertson managed to convince UNM Athletics administration to make the squad a varsity program, Dave Robertson said. The Lobos had a 10-3 overall record that season, capturing wins over teams such as Texas Tech, Colorado State, Arkansas and Weber State, while going undefeated in nonconference play. Dave said UNM’s team at the time featured several players he played with in youth club soccer. Because some former teammates were being coached by his dad, the younger Robertson’s decision to head to New Mexico seemed like the obvious choice, he said. Dave got to experience the birth of UNM Division I soccer on two fronts: from inside the

Courtesy of UNM Athletics Players on the 1987 UNM men’s soccer team celebrate following a game in this undated photo. The Lobos mark their 30th season of NCAA Division I status this year. household, and as a player. According to Dave, Craig first became the coach of UNM club team in 1981 after being approached by some players to take the position. From there, Craig started his pursuit to build the team as an NCAA program. That took some convincing. To support the program, Dave said, Craig approached then-athletic director John Bridgers and said the team could fund itself through Lobo youth soccer camps. The University provided a field, athletic trainers and facilities, Dave said, but all other funding came from those camps, which still exist today. The team found success early. Initially, UNM played in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League, finishing as high as third place. With a team made up of many native New Mexicans and some international players, the Lobos won 31 games in three Division I

Matt Ladendorf (5) gets a foot on the ball while contending with an opposing goalie during a 1992 game.

seasons under Craig before he died. According to a Daily Lobo story from March 14, 1986 that cites UNMPD, the coach died from an apparent suicide. He was also a professor of chemical and nuclear engineering at UNM. A prepared statement from then-UNM President Tom Farer said Craig “represented a remarkable combination of athlete and scholar.” “Without benefit of a single scholarship, he made UNM into a contending team,” Farer said in the statement. Craig’s winning percentage, .707, is the second-best among the four coaches in team history. The UNM practice field located south of the soccer stadium is named after him. Dave also planted his name in team lore. His jersey number, No. 8, is the only one to be retired. Until 1994, he was UNM’s all-time leading scorer with 30 goals and 88 points. He still ranks fourth in team history in both categories.

wCraig Robertson Head Coach from 1983-1985 Record: 31-12-3 Winning Percentage: .707

Courtesy UNM Athletics

Inside the

Daily Lobo volume 118

issue 11

Student civility

First game of season

see Page 2

see Page 6

Klaus Weber Head Coach from 1986-1987, 1989-2001 Record: 152-127-18 Winning Percentage: .542

A rough skid After Craig Robertson’s death, Klaus Weber took the job as Lobo head coach, leading the Lobos to a 12-6-1 record his first season and earning the RMISL Coach of the Year award. It was the first such recognition for the Lobos. UNM held a memorial tournament in its former coach’s honor and captured emotionally charged wins over UNLV and Cal State Fullerson, Dave Robertson said. “I have great respect for how Klaus handled that year,” he said. Weber is the longest-tenured coach in team history, serving that top position from 1986-87 and again from 1989-2001. He had 152 coaching wins and a .542 winning percentage at UNM. In addition to his 1986 coaching award, he received the Mountain

see Soccer PAGE 3

Jeremy Fishbein Head Coach from 2002-present Record: 154-48-26 Winning Percentage: .732

TODAY

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