El Rito Media Staff Report

Thomas Mabrey, a man who spent three decades dedicating his life to New Mexico high school student-athletes has died, according to an announcement from the New Mexico High School Coaches Association (NMHSCA).

The announcement was made Dec. 30 on the NMHSCA website.

“Today we mourn the loss of a truly remarkable man whose unwavering dedication and leadership left an indelible mark on the athletic community of New Mexico. Dr. Mabrey’s passion for coaches, student-athletes and our athletic community will forever be remembered and cherished,” read the announcement.

He was named NMHSCA executive director in 2008. The Hobbs native graduated from high school in 1985 and enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Hawaii.

After serving five-years in the military, he returned to Hobbs and spent two years working in the oilfields, along with officiating basketball games to remain involved in high school athletics, per the NMHSCA.

He moved to Las Cruces in 1992 to attend classes at New Mexico State University (NMSU). That summer he became an assistant football coach at Mayfield High School and worked under Mike Draper and Jim Bradley where the Trojans won three state football championships and multiple district titles.

He served as Mayfield’s head track coach and won one district championship.

Mabrey earned collegiate degrees from NMSU.

In 2001 he coached high school football in Snyder, Texas and two years later he moved back to New Mexico and served as an assistant director of the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) where he directed the state volleyball, basketball, and softball championships.

In 2006 he moved to Farmington and became the athletic director at Piedra Vista High School.

“The state of New Mexico’s athletic community will never be the same without him, but his legacy will on in the lives he touched,” stated the NMHSCA website.