Six former University of New Mexico athletes will be inducted into the UNM Athletic Hall of Honor on November 1, as announced by the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association. The honorees include Pepe Caballero (men’s tennis, 1995-1999), Ruben Douglas (men’s basketball, 2000-2003), Kailin Downs (women’s golf, 2001-2005), Mike Solomon (men’s track & field, 1973-1977), Jarrin Solomon (men’s track & field, 2004-2009), and Gary Hines (wrestling, 1975-1979).
Hines, also recognized as the founder and former owner of local food chains Twisters and Stripes, will receive the 2024 Distinguished Service Award for his long-standing support and significant contributions to UNM Athletics.
The Nov. 1 awards dinner will also include the presentation of annual honors, with Lobo men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino being named the 2023-24 Coach of the Year, softball star Rachael Hathoot recognized as the UNM Female Athlete of the Year, and distance runner Habtom Samuel, from the Lobo cross country and track & field teams, selected as the UNM Male Athlete of the Year.
The event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Events Center at Sandia Golf Club. Tickets are available for $75 each or $750 for a table of 10, and can be purchased through the Lettermen’s Association by calling (505) 925-5905.
Biographical info on each inductee provided by UNM Athletics:
Pepe Caballero (Tennis 1995-1999)
• All-American Doubles Selection (1998 and 1999)
• 11 National Doubles ranking (1998)
• 21 National Doubles ranking (1999)
• 57 National Singles ranking (1999)
NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Doubles Semifinalist (1998)
• NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Doubles Quarterfinalist (1999)
• ROLEX Region VII Singles Champion (1996)
• Western Athletic Conference First Team All-Conference in Doubles and Singles (1999)
Ruben Douglas (Basketball 2000-2003)
• Mountain West Player of the Year (2003)
• Led NCAA in scoring during 2002-2003 season at 28.0 ppg
• Honorable Mention All-American (2003)
• First Team All-Mountain West (2002, 2003)
• Named to Mountain West 25th Anniversary team (2024)
Kailin Downs (Golf 2001-2005)
• Mountain West Player of the Year (2002 and 2003)
• Mountain West Freshman of the Year (2002)
• Mountain West All-Conference Selection (2002-2005)
• All-American Selection (2003 and 2004)
• Edith Cummings Munson National Award Winner (2004)
• Academic All-American (2002-2005)
Michael Solomon (Track & Field 1973-1977)
• NCAA Champion in 600 yards (1975)
• All-American Indoor 600 yards (1975)
• Western Athletic Conference Champion 600 yards
• Olympic finalist in 400-meter (1980)
• Olympic Semi-finalist in 400-meter (1976)
• UNM School Record holder in 400 m from 1976-2007
Jarrin Solomon (Track & Field 2004-2009)
• 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist in 4x400m
• 2017 World Champion in 4x400m
• 2017 International Olympic Committee Athlete of the Year for North America
• All-American (2009)
• UNM School Record Holder in 400-meter
• Mountain West Record Holder in 400-meter (2009)
Gary Hines- Distinguished Service Award (Wrestling 1975-1979)
• Lobo Wrestling captain (1977-1979)
• Second place in Western Athletic Conference 1979
• NCAA Tournament qualifier
• Volunteer Coach for UNM Wrestling 1979-1982
• Business entrepreneur
• Longtime Lobo supporter who recently donated $1 million to Lobo Athletics
• Lobo Champions Council member
• Lifetime Lettermen’s Association member
• Highly involved in Albuquerque community support including to the local VA Hospital, Albuquerque Public Schools and other community non-profits