ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Last week, the New Mexico Broadcaster's Association announced that Jack Nixon and Anita Skipper were both honored as 2023 Excellence in Broadcasting Award Winners for their work during the 2022-23 men's basketball season.
 
Nixon and Skipper, both members of the NM State Athletics/US Bank Hall of Fame, teamed up for the first time as associates on the air for all home men's basketball games. The duo was recognized by the NMBA for having the best Sports Play by Play in the Large Market Radio Awards category for their call of the Aggies' men's basketball home tilt versus Sam Houston on New Year's Eve which was broadcasted live on Zia Country 99.5 FM.


 
Jack Nixon has long been recognized as the "Voice of the Aggies" and will enter his 44^th season on the microphone this fall. Nixon has been recognized multiple times by the NMBA for his contributions to the broadcasting profession in the state of New Mexico. His place in the history books was solidified even further in 2022 when he was the lone inductee into the NMBA Hall of Fame.
 
Nixon became the 48^th member of the NMBA Hall of Fame – an award that was created in 2001. During its 22 years of existence, the NMBA Hall of Fame award has been presented to an individual or entity who has illustrated over time a consistent and unique impact on the broadcast industry in New Mexico.
 
Additionally, Nixon earned additional recognition for the top Sports Show or Interview in the Large Market category for his Aggies Go Bowling show – a pre-game coverage show of the Aggie football team in Detroit ahead of their victory in the Quick Lane Bowl.
 
Meanwhile, Anita Skipper concluded her first year in broadcasting in 2023 after having a very successful playing career as an Aggie and as a professional. During her playing days at NM State, Skipper became the first men's or women's player at the Division I level to have at least 2,500 points, 1,000 rebounds and 300 steals in a college career.
 
With 2,601 career points during her four-year career, Skipper still holds the title of all-time leading scorer in NM State history regardless of gender. The three-time All-American was also selected 29^th overall by the Cleveland Rockers in the first-ever WNBA draft in 1997. The Dallas native made her debut on the radio alongside Nixon on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
 
Nixon and Skipper will officially be recognized on Friday, August 11, at the NMBA Convention set to take place in Albuquerque.