CHERRY & SURREAL: A Lobo fan first
(Saturday, Aug. 30) felt like a fever dream.
A team I’ve embraced, invested in and committed to gave me the happiest moment I’ve had as a fan in my entire life.
Well, the Lions’ playoff win over the Rams made me cry real tears, but that’s beside the point.
Walking into the Big House for the first time in my cherry and silver jersey, greeting every Lobo fan I came across, gave me a similar rush to the one I felt during my trip to Cleveland for the NCAA tournament.
Except this time, Lobo Nation had a surprise waiting for me.
UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo invited me onto the field, where I was able to take pictures with my wife and him, all while watching the team warm up.
Then President (Garnett S.) Stokes came over, introduced herself, and told me how much she enjoyed Sean Reider’s article about me.
It all happened so quickly that I barely had time to process how surreal it was.
I’m blessed to live the life I live, and last night proved why Lobo Nation is one of the best fan communities in the country.
Yeah, I said it - the entire country!
The hunger and passion in the stands from our fans mirrored the fight we all saw on the field.
The Lobos came in as 35-point underdogs against a Michigan team not far removed from a national championship, but what they showed in front of 110,000 fans was nothing short of inspiring.
Gritty, disciplined, and fearless, they kept Michigan fans irritated all night long. It was the cleanest and most disciplined game I’ve ever seen a Lobos team play, and without question the best-coached effort in years.
That’s the type of football that makes you proud to wear cherry and silver. If last night's team shows up consistently this year, the Mountain West title is not out of the question, primarily based on the play the conference has shown to open up the season.
I’ve decided I’m going to share my post-game thoughts on X after every Lobo game this season.
When Sean asked how I manage to keep the Lobos conversation alive all the way up in Michigan, the answer was simple: with you, the fans, right here.
It’ll be a work in progress, but I’m excited to do it.
And who knows — maybe one day I’ll be in Albuquerque, standing shoulder to shoulder with you in the trenches!
-Joshua Abate
