For John Cordova ’81, ’83, giving back to NMSU has always been about paying tribute to those who shaped his journey. Now a member of the NMSU Foundation Board of Directors, Cordova was an Aggie football player from 1976 to 1979 and a coach from 1980 to 1981.
Cordova has established nearly a dozen endowed scholarships, each honoring a mentor, educator, or classmate who left an indelible mark on his life. His latest gift continues this tradition: the John “Jack” Nixon Endowment for Journalism Excellence, celebrating the legendary voice of Aggie athletics.
Jack Nixon’s 45-year career as the “Voice of the Aggies” is nothing short of extraordinary. Other than a brief three-year stint in the upstart United States Football League (1983–85), he called more than 500 Aggie football games and 1,000 Aggie basketball matchups, including NCAA tournaments, conference championships, and football bowl games.
A 1972 graduate of the University of Kansas—where he was named the Outstanding Senior in the School of Journalism—Nixon made his NMSU broadcasting debut on September 4, 1976, calling an unforgettable Aggie football comeback from a 15-point deficit in the final three minutes to defeat the Drake Bulldogs 30-29. The magic continued the following week with a thrilling walk-off win over UTEP, a moment that set the stage for decades of unforgettable calls. Fittingly, those were also Cordova’s first two games as a freshman at NMSU.
“It’s gratifying to have my name linked to a process that will help young people pursue this type of career,” said Nixon.
Throughout his career, Nixon earned numerous accolades, including multiple Sportscaster of the Year and News Director of the Year awards. He is a member of both the New Mexico Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the NMSU Athletics Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential voices in New Mexico sports.
But beyond the awards and honors, Nixon has been much more: the historical thread connecting generations of Aggie fans, a champion of the Las Cruces community, and a trusted friend to thousands of NMSU student-athletes.
“This endowment creates a lasting legacy at NMSU that honors Jack’s incredible impact,” says Cordova. “It will help broadcast journalism students pursue meaningful internship experiences—ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to follow in his footsteps.”
The endowed scholarship is one of the featured giving opportunities during the 1888 Minutes of Giving campaign, taking place April 22–23, 2025. Supporters can contribute to the Nixon Scholarship at https://alwaysanaggie.org/donate/nixon-endowment-journalism and help NMSU students carry forward the same standard of excellence in sports journalism that Jack Nixon exemplified.
For Aggies everywhere, Jack Nixon’s calls put us courtside, on the sidelines, and inside the game. His voice is etched into our memories—every victory, every heartbreak, every unforgettable moment. As Jack would say at the close of every broadcast: “Thanks for your time this time, until next time—so long.”
From all of us at NMSU, thank you, Jack Nixon.
