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Connie Alexander Play-by-Play Sports Broadcasting collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-941-BC

Scope and Content

Collection consists of 116 CDs and DVDs reformatted from various contemporaneous audio and video formats. The recordings were collected by Connie Alexander and almost all are of his play-by-play sports broadcasting or excerpts, along with productions he announced, composed or collected. Almost all are of sports games in New Mexico both High School and at the University level. Some of the recordings are also of professional sports games and events. A portion of the broadcasts are of Texas Tech games.

Dates

  • 1947-2011

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biography / History

Connie Alexander, former Lobo baseball player and 1955 graduate of the University of New Mexico, was born in Dallas, Texas. His family moved to Albuquerque when he was 17. That same year, Alexander was completing workouts with the Albuquerque Dukes and landed his first gig as a public announcer for the organization. It was a paid public speaking job--$2 a game--and the official start of a career he had wanted from a very young age. Alexander entered college at the University of New Mexico in the early 1950s and spent one year as a first baseman for the Lobo baseball team. The spring following his freshman season, he was hired at a small radio station in town. The aspiring sports announcer poured himself into his journalism/communication studies and radio job. At the age of 21, Alexander spent a season as the broadcaster for the Albuquerque Dukes. His career in calling sports was well underway by time he completed his college degree in 1955. Alexander covered Lobo games in the 1950s and 60s and also worked at Albuquerque Federal Savings & Loan. In 1962, he began working for Humble Sports Network calling Southwest Conference games on the radio. His habit of thorough preparation and dedication to being inventive behind the mike served him well, and by 1967 he was "the voice" of the Southwestern Conference and continued calling games for the network into the 1970s.

In February of 2010, Alexander was summoned by New Mexico head coach Ray Birmingham to call Lobo baseball for a handful of games on 101.7 FM the TEAM (KQTM) when Scott Galetti, the team's usual play-by-play announcer, was on the road covering Lobo men's basketball. Birmingham had grown up listening to Alexander on the radio. Highlights of his career--which included both radio and telecasts--are numerous; ten Cotton Bowls as well as a number of Pro Bowls and NFL playoff games, and awards such as being voted Texas Sportscaster of the Year and being inducted into the Albuquerque/New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. However, there are two events that Alexander is quick draw attention to--calling the 100th Anniversary of College Football game on Dec. 6, 1969 that featured the No. 1 Texas Longhorns against the No. 2 Arkansas Razorbacks for the national title, and being a telecast partner with legendary coach John Wooden for the 1975 NCAA West Regional at Pauly Pavilion.

(Source: Einerwold, University of New Mexico Athletics, 2011, http://www.golobos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26000&ATCLID=209058499 )

Extent

2 boxes (.20 cu.ft.)

Abstract

Contains audio and video recordings collected by Connie Alexander. Almost all are of his play-by-play sports broadcasting or excerpts and productions he announced or composed. Most are of New Mexico high school and college games with some professional sports events.

Related Material

James Hulsman Albuquerque High School Sports History Collection. Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico Ben Moffett Interviews with New Mexico Sports Figures collection . Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico.

Processing Information

Inquire with reference staff for access to unprocessed addition, containing: Rules Books, Officiating Manuals, Official Record Books, Referees Handbooks, NBC Sports Division publications, "The Basketball Bulletin", Poster of 2103 NM Sports Hall of Fame past inductees and folder with Alexander's broadcasting notes and scripts. Box 1; Photos, Newspaper clippings, digital images (1 CD), ephemera. Box 2. Located at B3-11A
Title
Finding aid of the Connie Alexander Play-by-Play Sports Broadcasting collection, 1947-2011
Status
Completed
Date
© 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English
Sponsor
Funding provided by the Foundation for J. & M.L. Hulsman Sports History

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451