ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The New Mexico Activities Association, in conjunction with the NMAA Hall of Fame Committee, announces the Class of 2026 for induction into the NMAA Hall of Fame. The NMAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at a luncheon during the week of the NMAA State Basketball Championships, to be held at 12pm the afternoon of March 12th at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid hotel. The inductees will also be honored at halftime of the 6:30pm game that evening at The Pit.
Mike Chambers – Magdalena Schools
Michael Chambers is the 120th inductee into the NMAA Hall of Fame. Chambers is a lifelong educator, coach, and school administrator whose career spans more than four decades of service in New Mexico and Arizona. A 1973 Salutatorian of Los Lunas High School, Michael was a three-year basketball letterman and two-year track letterman. He continued his academic and athletic success at Western New Mexico University, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1978 while competing in track for four years, serving as captain for two, and earning All-Conference honors all four years as well as All-Conference Academic recognition for three. He went on to earn his master’s degree from the University of New Mexico in 1980.
Michael began his career in education as a teacher and sponsor at Clifton Schools (AZ) before returning to Los Lunas as a teacher, Student Council advisor, and NHS sponsor. His leadership roles expanded to include Athletic Director and Assistant Principal for Los Lunas Schools, followed by superintendent and principal positions across several districts including San Jon Schools, Magdalena Schools, Kirtland Central High School, Zuni Schools, and Grants Schools. He also served the Laguna Department of Education as Special Education and Curriculum Director.
A dedicated coach, Michael led volleyball, boys’ basketball, and track & field teams for 10 years in both Clifton and Los Lunas. His teams earned numerous distinctions, including Arizona State Volleyball Runner Up (1978), District Coach of the Year, eight State Tournament appearances, and eight District Championships. He also served as a basketball and track & field official for nearly 15 years.
Michael’s impact extends statewide through his extensive service to the New Mexico Activities Association, where he spent 12 years as a District Chairperson and has served on numerous committees, including the Sportsmanship Committee (15 years), Seeding Committees for basketball and volleyball (8 years), the Appeals Committee (10 years), and the Hall of Fame Committee (11 years). He also served 10 years on the NMAA Executive Board, including time as Vice President.
His leadership includes roles on the CES Board of Directors, NM Superintendent Executive Board, NMCEL Executive Board, Dona Ana Community College Advisory Board, and the APS Foundation.
Michael is married to Patricia, and together they have five children: Bryan, Cindy, Kayla, Michaely, and Tori.
For additional information pertaining to this release, please contact J.P. Murrieta, NMAA Sports Information Director at (505) 379-4305 or jp@nmact.org.