NMJC Athletics Earns 5th Consecutive Top-10 Finish in the Ron Case Cup presented by Daktronics
New Mexico Junior College placed fifth in the 2024-25 Ron Case Cup presented by Daktronics with a total of 153.5 points.
The Ron Case Cup presented by Daktronics is an NJCAA season-long award that is given to the institutions who have excelled at the national level in athletics.
The Thunderbirds finished in third place in 2023-24 with 162.5 points, in fourth place in 2022-23 with 139.5 points, and seventh place in the 2021-22 with 108.5 points. The T-Birds have finished in the top 10 for the fifth consecutive time and in the top 5 three years straight.
Points for each sport are earned at the highest level of competition offered in each of the three (3) divisions. A first-place finish earns 20 points, second place earns 19 points, third place 18, etc. Each institution is allowed to earn points in their top-five sports per gender, with a college program having the potential to earn points in ten (10) total sports.
2025 is the sixth year that Daktronics has sponsored this award in conjunction with the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA).
NMJC placed fifth this year behind College of DuPage (4th place-161), Barton Community College (3rd place-163), Iowa Central CC (2nd place-164.5), and Iowa Western Community College (1st place-179.5).
"New Mexico Junior College is honored by the recognition of our outstanding athletes," NMJC Director of Athletics Deron Clark said. "Earning a 5th consecutive top 10 ranking exemplifies the work and support provided by the athletes, coaches, faculty and administration of this outstanding institution!"
Nine Thunderbird teams earned points towards the 2024-25 Ron Case Cup presented by Daktronics with their national championship finishes.
NMJC had the maximum five women's sports register national championship qualifying performances. The Thunderbirds scored 18 points in women's cross country (3rd place), 18 points for indoor women's track and field (3rd place), 14.5 points in women's basketball (Quarterfinal), 18 points for outdoor women's track and field (3rd place), and 17 points for women's golf (4th place).
The men had four teams count toward the school's overall total. The T-Birds picked up 14 points for men's cross country (7th place), 19 in indoor men's track and field (2nd place), 19 in outdoor men's track and field (2nd place), and 16 points with men's golf (fifth place).
The T-Birds completed the calendar year with 11 sports making it to their respective nationals.
On the men's side, NMJC made it to postseason championships in men's cross country, men's half marathon, men's indoor track & field, men's golf, and men's outdoor track & field.
The women had six sports make it to nationals this season with women's cross country, women's half marathon, women's indoor track & field, women's basketball, women's golf, and women's outdoor track & field.
The T-Birds will turn the page on 2024-25 and are slated to begin the 2025-26 athletic season August 21 with volleyball at the Midland Kickoff Classic in Midland, Texas.