Bye Week Happenings: Supporting our Military, Lobo Staff on the Move & Lobo Loyalist Flag Feature
Hello Lobo Fans,

We hope you finished all your chores during the past bye week so that you can be dialed-in for next Saturday's 4pm Homecoming Game versus Liberty.

We have some great updates for you in this week's Cherry Zone. Bye week is a bit of a misnomer - while we don't play, everyone is still working hard and spending time in our community. We'll tell you how in this edition.

Your Cherry Zone newsletter is a little thicker this weekend to compensate for the lack of Lobo football. Here's what we cover:

  • Do you know how Lobo Football supports our Military? We take you behind the scenes into a great example
  • Rivalry Week Accolades - UNM DB receives conference honors
  • Brian Urlacher has another memorable night - Da Bears honor Brian
  • Bye week happenings - Coaches and student-athletes still grinding and having an impact, we tell you how.
And, this week's edition ends with our "investigative reporting" team sharing a great story on the Lobo fan behind the UNM and State of New Mexico flags seen on ESPN's College Gameday. Here's a teaser - Valerie is a Lobo fan in Texas and literally carries the UNM flag at college football venues!
But before we dive in, we have a special "Love Your Lobos" pledge offer to make Bye Week a bit more tolerable. We've told you about how Sadie's has partnered with UNM Football for the Love Your Lobos pledge program where our fans can support the good our student-athletes achieve on the field, in the classroom or in the community. You can pledge $0.89 for an offensive, defensive or academic performance category.
The first three fans to sign-up during bye week will receive two complimentary passes to Dreamstyle Stadium's Craft Corner for the Liberty Game- which includes primo field level seats in the South endzone! In addition, Sadie's provides you with a $10.00 off coupon for a purchase of $25.00 or more either in-restaurant or online! Out-of-town Lobo fans can have Sadie's salsa delivered to their door!
UNM Football Supports our Veterans:
Did you know about our VetTix program participation ?
New Mexico has a long tradition of military service that UNM Football actively seeks to honor and support. But how? Here's one of the ways that you may not have known about: UNM Football participates in the VetTix program, a program that provides tickets to sporting events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life.  

Our home opener versus Incarnate Word had many veterans and active duty military and their families in attendance through the VetTix program. VetTix actively promotes this FREE ticket option but we could use your help in making sure that our military community is aware of this option. Take a minute to read the comments left by one of our veterans who attended our first home game through the Vettix program. Please share the Vettix program with your military family and friends.
Rivalry Week Accolades:
Marcus Hayes Receives Conference Weekly Award
Our win in Las Cruces was a team effort in all phases of the game. But, one player, Marcus Hayes, did receive national recognition for his individual performance. The Mountain West conference named Hayes the Week 3 Defensive Player of the Week!

The UNM defense hauled in 5 interceptions last week and Marcus Hayes came away with two 2nd half picks. You probably remember his goal-line interception but he also had the closing "pick-6" which was the closer to last week's rivalry game
The Year of Urlacher Continues
Chicago Bears honored Brian on Monday Night
Last Monday night, the Chicago Bears honored Brian Urlacher at halftime of da Bears game versus the Seattle Seahawks.

The Urlacher mojo was strong that night in Soldier Field as the 2018 Bears defense had a defensive effort on par with that of the defenses Brian led during his career. And, of course, just like when #54 was roaming the field, the Bears' defense put the game away with a defensive score.

Here's some local Chicago coverage of another Urlacher honor.
Bye Week Report:
An opportunity to recruit and serve our community
Our coaches spent the last half of the Bye week playing "planes, trains and automobiles," traveling across the country on recruiting trips. We can't share much about these trips for obvious reasons. But, we can tell you that Coach Cosgrove was back in his hometown of Chicago spending time with the next group of potential Lobo student-athletes. We hope he brought back some souvenirs that include pizza!!

Our student-athletes took the opportunity to spend time in our Albuquerque community. AJ Greely, a JR cornerback who came to UNM this year, and several other Lobos spent time at Marie M. Hughes Elementary School
Lobo Loyalist Deep in the Heart of Texas
Who's Behind that Flag on the ESPN Gameday Set?
Many things make college football a very special experience for fans and their communities. Tailgate, on-field action and of course, tradition!

We've connected with Valerie, a Lobo fan (UNM/Albuquerque HS alum) who has lived in the DFW area for the last 17 years. But despite the distance and the time away from the 505, the Lobo spirit is strong in Valerie's household. Last week, we featured Valerie's Lobo and NM flags behind the College Gameday desk. As "they" say, "but, wait there's more..."
This Lobo Loyalist has appeared behind the ESPN desk no fewer than 8 times with her Lobo flag. She began with a homemade Home Depot sign years back and has evolved to a set-up that includes a 20-ft pole and two flags.

Flag duty is a lot like the chase crew at our Balloon Fiesta - you need to have an early start. When Gameday comes to Texas sites, Valerie typically needs to be anchored in her spot by 5am. Her favorite story is the week she spent in Dallas leading up to a recent CFP championship game when she and her Lobo pride appeared behind the set multiple times - in the morning and in the evening! And, of course, she's met the crew including Reece and her favorite, Lee Corso - she's heard the "Not so fast, my friend" in person!

Here's something you might not have known - the GameDay flag community is tight-knit. Valerie "trained under" the Washington State flag crew and here's a fun fact: the originator of the Wazzou flag tradition now lives here in Albuquerque!

We know there are great fan stories both here locally and across the country. If you have a "lead" for us, please respond to this email!
The First GameDay Sign
CFP Playoff Championship Week
Flag Yoda and UNM Jedi
And if you need some extra motivation on Sunday to finish your chores, here's a throwback video Aron Blackwell squatting 675lbs this summer in an absurdly easy manner.
Thank you for your support!

Go Lobos!

Brian DeSpain
UNM Football
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