DIV 1

2022 US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame Class Announced

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A trio of former NM State athletics greats – William Benjamin (men's basketball), the late Bob Kelly (football) and Maria Roth (volleyball) – will be the latest group of individuals inducted into the US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame as Aggie athletics announced its 2022 class Monday.

The trio is set to be formally inducted on Friday, March 4, 2022, in a ceremony set to take place inside the Barbara Hubbard Room of the Pan American Center. The following day, they will be recognized during halftime of the NM State men's basketball game against Utah Valley inside the Pan American Center which is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.

"Being able to make the calls to these individuals and their families is always one of the most rewarding moments of the year as the director of athletics at my alma mater," commented Mario Moccia. "After not being able to celebrate our 2021 class in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I'm very excited to keep one of this department's best traditions alive by bringing it back to an in-person ceremony this March. Willie, Bob and Maria will have their contributions to Aggie athletics celebrated with the highest honor than an Aggie student-athlete can achieve."

Not only will Benjamin, Kelly and Roth be formally inducted on Friday, March 4, Amber Simpson, one of the four inductees to the US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame in March of 2021 will be in attendance. An in-person induction ceremony was not possible in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19 protocols in place within the state of New Mexico.