Michael Neufeld

Major: Education
Year: Freshman

At Rio Rancho High School, Michael Neufeld spent his time playing football, basketball and running track. Now at Eastern New Mexico University, with more classes and more responsibilities, one thing remains the same: playing football.

However, Neufeld thinks it’s a different kind of football. “There’s more speed, more focus and more determination to succeed,” he said. He also wants to join the ENMU track program.

He said he came to Eastern so one day he can become a coach or a physical education teacher. “There’s a good environment here,” he said. “I like the small classes.”

Neufeld said he has a lot of fun at ENMU and that the school has a unique personal touch. “The teachers here can really help you,” he said.

He spends his free time working on his car and hanging out with the football team. “We do almost everything together,” he said. He also likes to shoot hoops in Greyhound Arena. He also noted that Portales is an affordable place to live and has a good economy.

Coach Mark Ribaudo, defensive coordinator for the Greyhounds, said Neufeld contributes an important part with a lot of role playing for the team. “In practice, he plays on the scout team, which acts as the opponent during practice,” he said.

“Michael is a good example to the other players.” Ribaudo said that not everyone can be a starter but that it takes a lot of role players to make up a team. “As a role player, he’s a backbone for the team,” he said.

Neufeld said his younger brother, Andrew, who is currently enrolled at RRHS, is planning to attend Eastern as well. Andrew wants to be a law enforcement officer.