Baca schoolteacher loves coaching youth sports

PREWITT, N.M. – Lonnie Gingrich is a first-grade teacher and coach for Baca/Dlo’Ay Azhi Community School and the Prewitt, New Mexico community. He has been a part of the school staff for almost 17 years. Gingrich came from Las Cruces, N.M., to accept the job and started out as a physical education teacher. Now, he is working with first graders in the classroom, virtually these days, and then with K-6 age groups for both basketball and soccer – and loving every minute of it.

Gingrich has enjoyed sports ever since he was younger and believes that they teach youngsters a good number of valuable lessons as well as instilling important qualities that they can carry with them the rest of their lives. Plus, it simply gives them something to do and keeps them active. Overall, Gingrich coaches five league basketball teams and six league soccer teams. Because of the lack of sports facilities in Prewitt, the schoolteacher/coach and his teams normally practice and compete in Grants, N.M. Unfortunately, the teams have not been able to meet for practices or playing because of COVID-19. However, Gingrich is still able to stay in contact with his players because most of them either are or have been his students.

Being both the coach and teacher for his players has made for some fun experiences in and out of the classroom since Gingrich is able to teach and be around the youngsters in different settings. His students refer to him as “Mr. G” and this nickname is a perfect example of the positive camaraderie that has developed between Gingrich and his students/players. According to Gingrich, time management is the biggest struggle he faces in juggling the roles of teacher and coach as well as the responsibilities that come along with those roles. However, his favorite part about coaching and teaching is “the kids,” and to him, being able to mentor them makes it all worthwhile.

One of Gingrich’s main hopes is that what he does will start a sort of “pay it forward” effect in which he gladly gives of his time and self to the youngsters, is able to be a positive influence for them, and then hopefully, they can do the same for others as they grow older.

“I love coaching,” exclaimed Gingrich proudly.

He also expressed his sincere gratitude to Baca school for allowing him to do what he loves, as well as to his mother for supporting him throughout the years by helping financially with concessions at tournaments, award ceremonies, soccer balls, et cetera.

Gingrich appreciates this help considering that, aside from fundraising assistance, he also pays for a good amount of his teams’ sports-related needs himself – another testament to his love of coaching and dedication to youth.