A UNM Weekly student newspaper editor, George S. Bryan, came up with the teams' name, the "Lobos", which is the Spanish word for wolf.

Tradition holds that in the 1890s, a faculty member suggested the school adopt colors more representative of New Mexico.

Crimson and silver were initially suggested based on, respectively, the crimson evening glow of the Sandia Mountains and the description of the Rio Grande as a "silver ribbon winding through the valley" as seen by students and professors taking picnics in the Sandias.

[9] The University mascots are anthropomorphized wolves or "Lobos" named Louie and Lucy, they appear at sporting and social events.

Jim Young, a government trapper, caught a wolf in the western part of the state.

[13] The University of New Mexico sponsors teams in 8 men's and 10 women's NCAA sanctioned sports, competing in the Mountain West Conference.

In 2012 the Lobos captured both the Mountain West Regular Season and Conference Tournament titles.

UNM's baseball team plays at Santa Ana Star Field on the university's campus.

The current head coach is Richard Pitino Both men's and women's teams play in The Pit, formally known as Dreamstyle Arena, built in 1966.

The Pit seats 15,411 spectators and ranks nationally in attendance for both men's and women's programs.

UNM's most successful coaches in terms of wins are Dave Bliss, Bob King, Roy Johnson, and Steve Alford.

UNM usually plays two large rivalry games each year with non-conference opponents, the Arizona Wildcats and the New Mexico State Aggies.

[18] Current Head Coach: Jake Harrington Assistant Coach: Sam Saunders [14] The men's golf team has won 24 conference championships:[19] Many Lobo golfers have gone on to play and win on the PGA Tour including: Tommy Armour III (four wins), Charlie Beljan (one), Brad Bryant (one), Curt Byrum (one), Tom Byrum (one), and Tim Herron (four).