Category: Mesilla Valley Sports Show

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: Bridle Up Hope's Kelly Koerper

4/9/2026

Mike and Brian welcome Kelly Koerper, local director of Bridle Up Hope, to discuss how the equine-based program is helping girls and women build confidence, resilience, and self-awareness through hands-on experiences with horses. Koerper explains how the curriculum blends horsemanship with principles from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, creating powerful opportunities for personal growth. She shares how horses mirror human emotions, helping participants manage anxiety, process grief, and develop stronger communication and life skills. Through inspiring stories from the Las Cruces program, the conversation highlights the unique bond between humans and horses - and how that connection can lead to meaningful, lasting change.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: NMSU Golf Course Director Jason White

4/2/2026

On this episode of the Mesilla Valley Sports Show, Mike and Brian sat down with NMSU Golf Course Director Jason White for an in-depth look at the operations, history, and community impact of one of the region’s premier golf facilities . White shared his path from a high school golfer in the Pacific Northwest to New Mexico State’s PGA Golf Management program, and ultimately to leading the course. He described the scope of his role overseeing a complex operation that includes course maintenance, golf programming, dining, events, and a large student workforce. The conversation also explored the course’s deep community ties, from youth and veteran programs to hosting charity tournaments, illustrating how the facility serves not just golfers, but the broader Las Cruces community.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: NMSU Basketball Hall of Famer William Benjamin

3/26/2026

Hosts Mike O'Larey and Brian Cox sit down with NMSU Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime Las Cruces High School boys basketball coach William Benjamin for a conversation about one of the most storied careers in local sports. Benjamin recalls his four years as an Aggie point guard under coach Neil McCarthy — four straight postseason appearances, a signature upset of seventh-ranked UNLV at a rocking Pan American Center, and a Sweet 16 run that ended against a UCLA team loaded with future NBA players. He also shares the story of McCarthy personally paying his tuition to help him finish his degree after his playing days ended. The conversation turns to his 15-plus years coaching the Bulldawgs, including five state championship game appearances, titles in his fourth year and again in 2020.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: Gymnasts Mila Noopila and Rylie Barrios with Coach Bridgette Scholljergedes

3/19/2026

Hosts Mike O'Larey and Brian Cox sat down with two of Las Cruces' top gymnasts - Mila Noopila and Rylie Barrios - and their coach, Bridgette Scholljergedes, owner of Elevate Gymnastics and Athletics, ahead of the New Mexico State Championships. Both seniors have accomplished something rare for Southern New Mexico athletes: college gymnastics commitments, with Noopila heading to UW-Eau Claire and Barrios to SUNY Brockport in New York. The conversation covered how each found the sport, the mental and physical demands of competing at level 10, the grueling 18-20 hour weekly training schedule, and what it takes to navigate the recruiting process in a sport with fewer than 2,000 college roster spots nationwide.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: Athletic Trainers Daryl Wooten, Ben Snyder & Jazzy Benavides

3/12/2026

In honor of National Athletic Training Month, host Mike O'Larey brings together three local athletic training professionals to discuss the profession — what it is, what it isn't, and why it matters. Daryl Wooten, a nearly 40-year veteran of high school athletic training in Las Cruces, reflects on the city's long legacy of strong athletic training programs and pays tribute to the late Tim "Doc" Acklin of Mayfield High School. Ben Snyder, Director of Clinical Education for NMSU's Master of Athletic Training program, talks about preparing the next generation of athletic trainers. Jazzy Benavides, Athletic Trainer Coordinator for Las Cruces Public Schools, describes her role creating district-wide consistency in athlete care. Together they cover the emotional demands of the job, the ongoing challenge of getting the profession properly recognized, and why Las Cruces has set a standard that much of the state still hasn't matched.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: NMSU Athletics Director Joe Fields

3/5/2026

Host Mike O'Larey and Brian Cox welcomes NMSU Athletics Director Joe Fields for one of his most in-depth interviews since taking the job. Fields traces his path from Houston to Syracuse - where he played quarterback before moving to the defensive side of the ball - and explains how he stumbled into sports administration after a mentor opened an unexpected door. He discusses his first four months at NMSU, his approach to building a staff and culture, and his vision for the athletics department going forward. The conversation also covers the sweeping changes reshaping college athletics and what they mean for a program like NMSU.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: Compas Skateshop's Josh Sutton

2/26/2026

On this episode of the Mesilla Valley Sports Show, Mike welcomed Josh Sutton, owner of Compass Skate Shop, for a conversation about skate culture in Las Cruces and the growing community around it. Sutton shared how he discovered skateboarding as a teenager in Houston, how military service eventually brought him to southern New Mexico, and why he opened a skater-owned shop after realizing the city lacked a dedicated space for equipment and community. He discussed relocating the shop to Picacho Avenue, adding an indoor mini ramp, and creating a true gathering place for local skaters. Much of the conversation focused on his outreach efforts, all aimed at making skateboarding accessible while building confidence, resilience, and connection for young people across the community.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: Former NMSU Assistant Sports information Director Brian McCann

2/12/2026

This episode of the Mesilla Valley Sports Show welcomed former NMSU assistant sports information director Brian McCann, who worked in Las Cruces from 1987 to 1995. McCann reflected on the behind-the-scenes work of a small sports information office in the pre-internet era. He revisited memorable moments including the 26–3 women’s basketball season of 1987–88, volleyball’s first “Pack the Pan Am” match, the 1988 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship, the legacy of the Troy Cox Softball Classic, and the men’s basketball tournament runs of the early 1990s. The conversation underscored how a resourceful department and dedicated student assistants helped shape a pivotal era in Aggie athletics.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: NMSU Head Cheer Coach Jessica Covington

1/22/2026

This episode of the Mesilla Valley Sports Show featured host Michael O’Leary in conversation with New Mexico State University head cheer coach Jessica Covington. Covington shared her journey from growing up in Hatch to leading the NMSU cheer program for the past 18 years, detailing how cheer has evolved into a highly competitive, year-round sport that demands elite athleticism, discipline, and teamwork. She discussed the structure of NMSU’s cheer squads, national competitions, recruiting and training expectations, the role of Pistol Pete as a campus ambassador, and the program’s emphasis on academics, community service, and leadership. The interview also highlighted the upcoming NMSU Spirit Championships at the Pan American Center and the broader strength of cheer and dance programs throughout Las Cruces and New Mexico.

Mesilla Valley Sports Show: LCPS Assistant Athletic Director Bobby Campos

1/15/2026

This week on the Mesilla Valley Sports Show, host Michael O’Leary spoke with Bobby Campos, Assistant Athletic Director for Las Cruces Public Schools, about the scope and complexity of overseeing athletics across the district. Campos shared his personal path from growing up in Dexter, New Mexico, through his years as a coach and school administrator. He then walked listeners through the behind-the-scenes work required to support student athletics, including scheduling hundreds of games across four high schools and multiple sports, managing facilities and transportation, coordinating officials, overseeing safety protocols, and working closely with the New Mexico Activities Association. The conversation also highlighted long-standing rivalries, the importance of multi-sport participation, and ongoing efforts to increase student involvement while keeping athletics safe, competitive, and accessible for thousands of local students.

<<Previous

Forward>>