5/14/09
A familiar face returned to McCurdy School athletics May 6 when Walter Bustos was named the new boys basketball coach.
“He’s had success here before,” McCurdy Athletic Director Eric Vigil said. “We’re very excited.”
From 1994 until 2005, Bustos teamed with co-coach Seledon Martinez to lead the McCurdy Lady Bobcats to a string of successful seasons, including an appearance in the 2000 Class AA state championship game against Texico.
Martinez and Bustos were not rehired after the 2004-05 season and Bustos has watched from the stands as his daughter, Bryanna, played for the Lady Bobcats before graduating in 2007. His son, Ryan, is now a junior at McCurdy who plays football, basketball and baseball.
“I wanted to spend time with my son one way or another,” Walter Bustos said. “I kinda missed the game, and this was a perfect opportunity.”
The Bobcats won the District 3AA championship in 2004, but since then they’ve lost in the opening round of the district tournament every year, ending any postseason hopes. McCurdy was 5-18 overall and 0-6 in district play this past season under coach Fil Dominguez, who was not rehired after three years at McCurdy.
Bustos believes he will connect quickly with the players he inherits.
“All those kids played for me in elementary school,” he said. “I went to all their games this past season and would pat them on the back. I have good rapport with them.”
One of the facts of life at a small school like McCurdy is that athletes participate in multiple sports, with Bustos’ son being a prime example. Bustos said that shouldn’t be a barrier to success. While he was the girls coach at McCurdy, the basketball program shared athletes with the volleyball program and both were successful.
Other schools have successfully competed in both football and basketball.
“Look at Fort Sumner,” Bustos said. “They won a football championship, got a late start to the basketball season, and won a state basketball championship.”
Bustos said students today also need to be heard.
“We ran a pretty tight ship when we had the girls,” Bustos said. “You can’t do that anymore. Kids want to be heard.”
Highly Recommended
After 28 years as an assistant coach, Ray Roybal will finally get his shot at being a head coach.
The Santa Fe native was chosen May 6 to be head girls basketball coach at McCurdy School.
“It’s always been a dream of mine,” Roybal said. “(To) teach kids whatever I’ve learned.”
Roybal’s resume includes three assistant-coaching jobs in Santa Fe — at Santa Fe High School, St. Michaels and Desert Academy. Under Roybal’s leadership the Academy Wildcats were 21-5 this past season and they won the District 2A title with an 8-0 district record.
“No one expected us to do what we did,” Roybal said.
McCurdy Athletic Director Eric Vigil said one of the reasons he chose Roybal was a strong recommendation from Española Valley High School girls coach Ron Drake.
Roybal served as Drake’s assistant coach at both Santa Fe High and St. Michaels.
“He worked under me for five years,” Drake said. “He has good discipline, works hard and knows his X’s and O’s.”
Roybal said he likes a fast-paced game.
“I like the basketball style up north,” Roybal said. “Up-and-down, run-and-gun — it’s exciting for the fans and exciting for the players.”
Roybal replaces Johnny Abeyta, who left voluntarily after one year with the Bobcats. McCurdy has had five coaches in five years since Walter Bustos and Seledon Martinez were not rehired in 2005.
“I intend to stay at least three years to try and build a team,” Roybal said.
To do that, Roybal said he intends be firm yet open.
“You have to have rules for your team and stick to them,” he said. “At the same time, listen to the team as well. You have to be able to listen to your players.”