FARMINGTON – The University of New Mexico football program announced the passing of Jim Cromartie, who led the Lobos to the team’s first bowl victory, a 28-12 win over Western Michigan in the 1961 Aviation Bowl played in Dayton, Ohio.
Cromartie’s death was announced on the Lobos football team’s website last weekend. He was 82 years old.
Cromartie, who wore number 17 with the Lobos, lettered from 1960-62 and helped UNM to the 1961 Aviation Bowl and a 1962 WAC Championship. Over his three seasons, the Lobos went 19-11-1. He also served as an assistant coach from 1965-67.
After his playing career, Cromartie served as head coach at various locations, including Bloomfield, where he coached the Bobcats for more than 10 years, leading the team to two Class 4A state title games.
In 1980, the Bobcats lost to Artesia by a final of 50-30. Cromartie led the Bobcats to the Class 4A state title game again in 1990, losing to Lovington by a final of 13-7.
For all his accolades, it’s the win in the 1961 Aviation Bowl that made Cromartie a legend in Lobo history. In the 28-12 win that was played in a snowstorm, Cromartie rushed four times for 49 yards, and he scored the opening touchdown on a 3-yard run just 1:15 into the game. That win was UNM’s only bowl win until the 2007 New Mexico Bowl when UNM beat Nevada 23-0.
Cromartie’s name still appears in the top-10 lists in many categories for Lobo quarterbacks. His 18 wins as a QB is still second all-time in school history, topped only by Casey Kelly’s 19 wins. Cromartie was UNM’s leading passer all three of his seasons, and his 84-yard touchdown pass to Herb Bradford against UTEP was a school record at the time and is still tied for the eighth-longest pass in school history.
In addition to his play at quarterback, Cromartie led the team in interceptions as a defensive back in both 1960 and 1962.
“I coached against him many years ago, and he was a good man and a very good coach,” recalled Herb Stinson, most recently head coach of the Aztec High School wrestling team and a coach of various sports across the Four Corners for many years. “He was a fierce competitor, but he had the respect of all his players as well as fellow coaches.”
After his coaching career came to an end, Cromartie was still a regular at Lobos practices in recent years.
“He enjoyed coming out to watch his Lobos practice, and was always a wonderful presence around our program. An all-time great Lobo will sadly be missed,” according to the Lobos Facebook page.
