LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The NM State women's basketball team and NM State athletic department honored Linda Schroeder and Mari Sanchez-Galaz on Saturday, Jan. 23, when it celebrated the 30th anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. This year's NGWSD theme, Leading the Way, is a nod to all those individuals and organizations who are on the frontline for girls and women on and off the court.
 
Schroeder received both her bachelors and master's degrees at New Mexico State in 1971 and 1973, respectively, in Physical Education and Arts & Teaching. During her time at New Mexico State she was the cheer captain that opened the Pan American Center back when it first opened. Schroeder was also the first women's coach ever at NM State after earning bachelors working as a graduate assistant coach for swimming. She also coached field hockey and gymnastics during that stretch. She was also a member of the NM State faculty in the physical education department.
 
She is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Samson Weight Training Equipment, which she started with her husband Dave Schroeder — who played football at NM State. The Schroeder family has been a valued member of the Aggies Athletic Club, donating countless monies and weight-room equipment to their alma mater.
 
 
Sanchez-Galaz is a 2003 and 2008 graduate of NM State, and is also a former women's basketball player. A four-year letterwinner for the Aggies, Sanchez-Galaz was inducted into the Aggie Hall of Fame in 2010. Her 283 career triples still stands as the most ever in NM State history. Her 84 treys during the 2001-02 season is also best in program history. Her 10 3-pointers against UL-Lafayette back in 2002 was finally broken last season when Abby Scott knocked down 11 vs Chicago State.
 
A Las Cruces native, Sanchez-Galaz devotes her free time with several youth teams in her community; empowering young girls on and off the field – especially in academics. She currently coaches at Holy Cross School, a K-8 school where former Aggie ballplayer Connie Vaul-Limon is the principal. She's also a varsity coach at Saint Mary's high school in town. Her giving back to the community doesn't end there. She also volunteers her time to coach the Pistoleroes, a youth basketball team for children ages 4-10. Sanchez-Galaz doesn't stop at basketball; she also coaches youth soccer and t-ball.
 
Sanchez-Galaz, who earned both her bachelors and masters in industrial engineering from New Mexico State, currently works as an engineer at White Sands Missile Range.
 

For more information on the 30th anniversary celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, please visit the Women's Sports Foundation website at www.ngwsd.org.To join in on the celebration or see those that have been recognized around the county, use the hashtag #NGWSD.