PREP ATHLETICS
Rio Rancho tabs Lovato to lead athletic department
Atrisco Heritage principal succeeds the late Sal Gonzales
Rio Rancho High School on Friday announced Anthony Lovato as its new athletic director.
Lovato, 45, is currently the principal at Atrisco Heritage Academy, and he will finish out the current school year 鈥� which is nearly finished 鈥� before he moves into his new job.
鈥淚 wanted to be an AD at some point, but my career didn鈥檛 pan out to do that,鈥� Lovato said. 鈥淩io Rancho has phenomenal programs, phenomenal coaches 鈥� these positions don鈥檛 come around very often.鈥�
Lovato succeeds the late Sal Gonzales in the position. Gonzales, 51, passed away last month after a lengthy battle against cancer.
鈥淚 have some big shoes to fill,鈥� Lovato said.
Lovato is a former Rio Grande High athlete. He later became a head baseball coach at both Highland and Atrisco Heritage.
He has been an administrator for a dozen years, working at elementary schools, middle schools and at Atrisco Heritage.
鈥淚 felt like athletics are really my passion,鈥� he said.
Rio Rancho has one of the strongest collection of athletic programs in New Mexico, and the Rams are extremely competitive in just about every sport.
鈥淎nthony Lovato brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a strong commitment to
student-athletes,鈥� said District Athletic Director Todd Resch in a release from the district. 鈥淲e are confident he will build on the outstanding foundation at Rio Rancho High School while honoring the legacy of Sal Gonzales and continuing to move the program forward.鈥�
Lovato is a former University of New Mexico baseball player. He has both a Bachelor鈥檚 degree and a Master鈥檚 degree from New Mexico Highlands.
Lovato鈥檚 contract with Rio Rancho Public Schools officially begins in early July.
鈥淚鈥檓 stoked,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 pretty pumped up to start this new adventure.鈥�
James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at .
