College athletes come home, discuss education, football with Yucca students

Three-sport Yucca Junior High athlete Jason Roberts listened intently Monday as two former Clovis High football stars talked about life in major college athletics.

University of New Mexico wide receiver Hank Baskett and Texas Tech University safety Joey Garcia spoke to about 50 Yucca students about a variety of subjects, including their favorite football game, the importance of work ethic and their glory days at Clovis High.

“I think it is pretty cool that they came back,” said 14-year-old Roberts. “Just how a small-town kid can go and play in a big-time conference and be a good football player.”

Monday’s appearance followed discussions with Marshall and Gattis junior high schools on Friday. The two former Clovis stars opened with talk about what it takes to be a student-athlete in college.

“Student comes before athlete,” said 20-year-old Garcia. “If you take care of your grades there is no telling how far you can go.”

Garcia, a redshirt freshman in 2004, overcame an early-season leg injury to find work on special teams. He is majoring in computer science and said he wants to develop video games.

As a junior, Baskett led all Lobo receivers with 908 yards and three touchdowns this season. He is working toward his business degree.

“I had my priorities straight in life,” Baskett said. “I worked on my mind.”

Baskett and Garcia excelled in basketball, football and track while at Clovis High and were teammates in 2000.

Texas Tech defeated fifth-ranked California 45-31 on Dec. 30 at the Holiday Bowl. That same day New Mexico fell to Navy 34-19 at the Emerald Bowl, with Baskett catching five passes for 115 yards.

While the first half of the discussion focused on academics, the question and answer session veered slightly off course.

Asked one student: “Didn’t the Lobos beat Texas Tech this year?”

“I’ll let you take this one,” said Garcia, gesturing to Baskett.

New Mexico beat the Red Raiders 27-24 for the first time since 1984.

Baskett said he wasn’t seriously recruited by Texas Tech and was sent only a birthday card by the school during his high school senior year.

“This game is very personal to me,” he said.

Another student asked what players the two athletes look up to.

“I don’t look up to other players now, I study them,” Baskett said. “If I say I want to be like someone, then I will never be the best there ever was.”