Las Cruces rolls out the red carpet for NMSU Aggies

The city of Las Cruces rolled out the red carpet for the New Mexico State Aggies after their bowl win against Utah State.

Although the win was a little more than three weeks ago fans didn’t hesitate to honor their NMSU football team Saturday afternoon.

“I can’t say thank you enough for everybody that’s here go Aggies,” said Mario Moccia, NMSU athletic director.

“It was incredible. The outpouring and support from the last two games and this has been unreal,” said Doug Martin, NMSU head coach.

Moccia says NMSU’s bowl win against Utah State invigorated the fans.

“You couldn’t write a story book ending any better,” Moccia said.

Jacob Gomez, a young fan said this goes beyond a winning football team.

“This right here, creates a big family, all these people right here create a huge community,” Gomez said.

Fans not only met their favorite football players. Some also gave back.

“After it was announced New Mexico State was going to go to the bowl game we launched a crowd funding platform and donors were able to come in and make gifts that range from $5 to $1,000 and collectively they generated over $41,000,” said Leslie Cervantes, NMSU associate vice president of alumni.

Longtime fans and NMSU staff say the bowl win was the tipping point the team needed to propel them to the next level.

“I think it’s going to expand our reaches in recruiting. It puts us on the map of being a winning football program and I think it’s going to help our entire university. A rising tide lifts all boats and right now we are that tide and I hope this lifts the university and this whole city,” Martin said.

According to a university marketing report, NMSU football-related stories earned a media value of $24 million through coverage on ESPN and other media outlets.