This event was Fred’s pride and joy. Fred was always looking for ways to save money. He went to talk to a NM State Legislator about the NM Games and using University of New Mexico facilities at little or no cost. Fred negotiated a deal that secured the use of UNM facilities at no cost.

Fred promoted the NM Games all year round. He was always on the radio, tv or talking to the newspaper promoting the Games and what was going on or what was coming up. Everywhere he went he would tell someone about the Games and how they should get in this or that event. Our families traveled together to Las Vegas Nevada for what was then the WAC Basketball tournament. He would tell everyone whether he knew them or not, how they should get in to the Games – if they weren’t from NM, then they should get in their own State Games.

Fred never met a stranger. You were just a friend he hadn’t met yet. He would introduce himself and by the time the conversation was over, many times the other person had his phone number and they had volunteered, whether they knew it or not, to help with the NM Games in some fashion. This was true even if you happened to dial Fred as a wrong number. 15 minutes later, they knew all about Fred and the NM Games and may or may not have volunteered to help out at that weekend’s events.

Fred was TIRELESS in doing what it takes to make an event successful. It never mattered what it was. He would always do whatever needed to be done. Whether it was sweeping a floor, running to the store, cutting up fruit for the next morning’s event or unloading boxes of shirts. He is the type of person that would never ask you to do anything that he wouldn’t do or wasn’t already doing himself.

His obsession with sports made him the perfect person to be the Executive Director of the NM Games. You would be hard pressed to find someone who knows as much or cares as much about the athletes of NM. Fred’s mission for the New Mexico Games was for every athlete who participated in the Games to have fun, meet new people and make lifelong friends. When Fred handed out a medal, he always looked into the face of that athlete. The smile on their face whether it is their very first medal or their 10th was his reason to continue on. He took the time to enjoy that moment.

Fred spent 30 years building a solid foundation of good sportsmanship, camaraderie, integrity and good will for the athletes of NM. His honesty, empathy and compassion for others along with just being a good person makes Fred a truly one-of-a-kind person with a heart of gold. Fred was the NM GAMES. Fred was good friends with Jim Hallihan and they would speak frequently. There were always stories of what they had done at this State Games meeting or that meeting. They spoke about what each other was doing and how it might help the other. They shared their victories and their defeats along the way.

Fred never missed a National Congress of State Games Conference. New Mexico even had the pleasure of hosting it one year. Fred always was available and spent time working with any state that wanted advice or mentoring. Fred served on the awards committee. Fred always submitted nominations for the National Athlete of the Year. NM was lucky enough to have several winners over the years

Fred attended and promoted each of the State Games of America. He worked closely with NM teams/athletes who traveled to support the SGA. He went to talk to as many coaches and athletes as he could that attended and competed in the SGA. He made sure to watch as many of NM athlete’s events as he could. He wanted to make sure that they knew that he knew they were there and that he appreciated them traveling, supporting and competing in the SGA. He so strongly believed in what the NM Games and the National Congress of State Games stood for. He spent his 30 years promoting, building and supporting their messages to everyone he met.

You would be hard pressed to find someone who was a better ambassador for the collaboration under the National Congress of State Games. His character and service to the people of New Mexico and all of the members of the NCSG was unmatched. Fred is one of the most positive, upbeat people that you will ever meet. He believes in people and the power of sports to make life a little better.