From left, NNMC Provost Ivan Lopez-Hurtado, Head Coach Jesus Aragon, Board member Ruben Archuleta, Tavaun Smith, Dimitri Clerc, President Hector Balderas, Ashley Kitchen, Manny Gatkek, Koak Kok, Assistant Coach Ismael Loya, Board President Michael Martin, Assistant Coach Ross Romero and NNMC Coordinator of Student Life Bruno Guedes. Courtesy/NNMC
Newly signed NNMC athletes from left, Tavaun Smith, Dimitri Clerc, Ashley Kitchen, Manny Gatkek and Koak Kok. Courtesy/NNMC
NNMC News:
Saturday, March 4, Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) President Hector Balderas, AD/Head Coach Jesus Aragon and Coach Ismael Loya welcomed new Men’s Eagles basketball players at a celebration and Signing Event for the 2023-24 school year.
The recruits hail from New Mexico and around the world (South Sudan, Switzerland and Britain. Each spoke of meeting Coach Aragon and their excitement to play ball and pursue their academic dreams at Northern, a sentiment Balderas echoed in welcoming them.
“This is about dreams: the dreams of young men and a great college facilitating those dreams,” Balderas said. “Even in quiet Española, we understand that we want to be a top program in this country, both at basketball, but also in educating young people.”
Assistant Coach Ismael Loya watches as Koak Kok signs his scholarship offer. From left, Tavaun Smith, Dimitri Clerc, Ashley Kitchen, Manny Gatkek, Koak Kok and Assistant Coach Ismael Loya. Courtesy/John Denne
Newly signed NNMC athletes Manny Gatkek. left, and Koak Kok take a selfie with their new jerseys. Courtesy/NNMC
