LCPS athletics director named to NMAA hall of fame

Las Cruces Public Schools’ longtime athletic director Ernest “Ernie” Viramontes is among three New Mexico educators to be inducted into the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) Hall of Fame.

Viramontes has spent nearly 36 years with LCPS as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and athletic director, the NMAA said in a news release.

The NMAA Hall of Fame ring ceremony, presented by Herff Jones, will take place during halftime of the state basketball championships on March 12, 2020 (during the 6:30 p.m. game) at Dreamstyle Arena (The Pit), on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque.

A graduate of Deming High School in 1979, Viramontes was a two-year letter winner in football and basketball. He was an All-District and All-State selection in football and an All-District pick in basketball. Viramontes was also involved in student council and National Honor Society at Deming High School.

Following high school, Viramontes attended New Mexico State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1983 and his master’s degree in 1993. He began his career as a P.E. teacher at Central and Fairacres elementary schools in 1984, was a coach and teacher at Picacho Middle School, a coach, counselor and assistant principal at Sierra Middle School, academic dean and athletic director at Las Cruces High School, assistant athletic director and, since 2005, athletic director for the school district.

His career includes state championships in just about every sport, including football, basketball, soccer and cheer. And, as a mentor and surrogate parent, he has impacted the lives of thousands of students with his commitment to competing with class.

The youngest of six children, Viramontes grew up on a farm 13 miles west of Deming. He got up at 4 a.m. to get his chores done so he could stay after school to play football and basketball. His role models included his father, P.O. Viramontes, his Deming High School basketball coach, Frank Dooley, and his mother, Flora Gómez Viramontes.

“All the decisions that I made [were ones] that were right for kids,” Viramontes said in a 2018 Las Cruces Magazine interview. “With kids, adults, coaches, co-workers, you always start off by asking how they’re doing. It’s how you treat people. Sports is a great way to teach life’s lessons. The goal is to get to that other side and score the basket. There are a lot of obstacles to get there. If you make it or not, you’re still a winner. Win or lose, show class. Losing is not the end of the world. Get up and go again.”

Viramontes has also served the NMAA in several capacities, including the NMAA Commission and Board of Directors, sports specific committees, the NMAA Hardship committee, the NMAA Eligibility committee and the NMAA Classification & Alignment committee. He’s been named the District Athletic Director of the Year, the NMADA Athletic Director of the Year, was awarded the NMADA President Award in 2007-08 and was the NMHSCA Athletic Director of the Year in 2008-09.

Joining Viramontes as NMAA Hall of Fame 2020 inductees are Crit Caton of Artesia Public Schools, who had a nearly 35-year career in education as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, assistant principal and superintendent in New Mexico and Texas; and Tom Manning, who has been a part of education in New Mexico for more than 45 years, the NMAA said, including working as a P.E. teacher at Mesilla Park and Conlee elementary schools in Las Cruces. He also is a graduate of NMSU. Manning has coached football, basketball, track and field and golf at three Santa Fe schools and is currently co-head coach of the boys’ golf team for the St. Michael’s High School Horsemen, where he also serves as athletics director.

The NMAA Hall of Fame was established in 1976 and is comprised of an elite group of 108 accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions to interscholastic athletics and activities in New Mexico.  In order to be considered, nominees must show great support of the NMAA’s philosophy and objectives, they must have a combination of involvement in formulating regulations and procedures for various interscholastic education programs, and they must have a minimum of 25 years of service, 20 of which must have been in New Mexico, the NMAA news release said. Nominations are then screened by the NMAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee which consists of current and former leaders within interscholastic athletics and activities. The committee meets each October and selects a maximum of four individuals for induction.