Fort Lewis College Athletics

Ross Black was named Fort Lewis A&M's Athlete of the Year in 1951 after lettering in basketball, tennis and track.

Black transferred after one year to New Mexico, where he lettered three years in basketball and track. He received the Lobo Award as best all-around student-athlete in 1954.

In 1954, he returned to his hometown of Lovington, N.M., where he would serve as teacher, coach and athletic director for the next 12 years. His Lovington teams won six state gymnastics titles and one state track title during his stay.

In 1966, Black became the first coach at New Mexico Junior College. His 1971 track team won the national junior college championship. Although he retired from collegiate track coaching in 1973, Black traveled to Moscow that year for the World University Games as a track coach with the United States team. His coaching career ended on a high note as American relay teams-his primary responsibility at the games-captured two gold medals.

Black returned to Lovington in 1977 and remained active in education. He was named New Mexico School Administrator of the Year in 1989 and New Mexico Superintendent of the Year in 1991.