(First written for the Women’s National Football Conference’s HERgame Magazine)
La Muerte de Las Cruces as told to Odessa Jenkins by Billy Avalos
Las Cruces
The city of Las Cruces, New Mexico is home to a unique fusion of old and new. Standing in the sunny city center, amid the drifting scent of roasted green chilies, over 50 miles of terrain are visible. To the east, the majestic Organ Mountains, just over them White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base. To the west, Old Mesilla and grounds that cowboys roamed in the city’s history. To the south, tree-lined pecan farms. These influences of the Old West and new technology merge to make Las Cruces special.
Within the culture built on honesty and hard work, family ties run deep. The Las Cruces community remains inclusive among their diverse population. A city with a small town feel, people from all walks of life give mutual respect to work ethic. The Las Cruces lifestyle is rooted in tradition and driven by harmony with neighbors.
Building a Legacy
This family-oriented mindset mobilizes seamlessly within Las Muerte de Las Cruces of the Women’s National Football Conference. A true reflection of the welcoming spirit of the city is seen in the character and mission of Billy and Candace “Mama” Avalos.
Billy Avalos has been coaching for 32 years at various levels of football, including youth, high school, and professional arena football. The Avaloses established connections through founding and facilitating the youth football league Nerf League of Las Cruces, a USA Football Head’s Up pilot program. They brought that same passion for the game and for people to La Muerte de Las Cruces.
For Coach Avalos, continued growth of women’s football is a dream come true. “That was always what we strove for, is to start off small and get bigger and bigger. And now, here I get to coach in the WNFC in a women’s team.”
The renowned Candace Avalos, also known as “Mama”, worked with her husband Billy for 10 years as a reliable, knowledgeable, no-nonsense youth league commissioner. Mama is a legend in the city for her work in youth and women’s football and a mother figure for the Las Cruces team.
When La Muerte de Las Cruces was first created, Candace didn’t originally intend to play. Billy only found out she was committed as a player when 10 seconds before tryouts, his wife ran across the field in cleats. Billy was pleasantly surprised. “Long story short, I’m so glad she did. She’s an anchor on not only our team, but our offensive line.” Candace has been a constant leader as she battles in the trenches.
Passionate Supporters
Despite being a small city with a population of around only 100,000 people, La Muerte de las Cruces fills stands with proud supporters. Las Cruces loves football and embraces the opportunity to support female athletes. Coach Avalos believes that since they are so close to the Texas border, less than 50 miles, the Texas love for the game influences New Mexico. “Football is what we love here.”
La Muerte de Las Cruces fans include a diverse demographic. Involved residents, youth league links, high school athletes from Coach Avalos’ team and relatives of players are all seen in the stands. The many young girls who attend the games see possibilities for their future on the field.
Billy believes that the Las Muertes de Las Cruces fans are so devoted because they feel a part of the culture. They know the team and the coaches. Players walking on and off the field smile and wave to the crowd, making a personal bond and giving a hometown feeling to their 1500-2000 cheering fans. “It’s not me or Candace, it’s the group of girls that we have.”
Invested Community
The Las Cruces community shows their belief in the team on game day and beyond. The city allows the team a quality location to practice free of charge. Local schools frequently open their fields to the team.
After establishing trust with the city government and Parks and Recreation within their early days of youth leagues, the Avalos’s honesty and sincerity has created strong ties. The team has maintained these relationships, not only because of the visible quality of their game and reputable character, but also because of how the team gives back to fill local needs.
Billy recognized Sonya Delgado and Rudy Trevino of the Parks and Recreation Department for their ongoing support of La Muerte de Las Cruces. He also thanked Mayor Ken Miyagishima for his open-mindedness and blessing for Las Cruces to host a WNFC IX Cup Tournament. The scheduled 2020 IX Cup was cancelled due to COVID-19, but lines of communication remain open for future events in the city.
“Humble but Optimistic”
Since the move to the WNFC in 2020, Coach Avalos noted that La Muerte de Las Cruces has started to engage more former Division 1 college athletes and Mexican National Team members transitioning to the WNFC to continue competition. While other teams may hold the luxury of more experienced football players, as more athletes recognize the purity and legitimacy of the WNFC, recruiting has been increasingly successful for Coach Avalos.
According to Coach Avalos, a barometer game for La Muerte de Las Cruces in 2021 will be the test with the Denver Bandits, who he believes are reloading and better than they’ve ever been. He anticipates their home opener to be a competitive game with Denver, down to last second. He always wants to put on a good show for the fans.
Playing Los Angeles is always exciting for him, coming from a small city, “L.A. is bigger than life.” Coach Avalos also looks forward to sharing the field in competition against Dallas and Utah. “We want to be competitive…Why not go up against the two best teams in the country?”
Enduring Sisterhood
Respect for the game and relationship-building has continued to elevate La Muerte de Las Cruces. Referred to as the “Green Bay Packers of the WNFC” by Odessa Jenkins, she believes, “A team that’s a family generally can put together something good on the field. Half of what happens on the field starts with the kind of people you have and how they believe in each other.” Referencing La Muerte de Las Cruces, “I definitely think that you all have something special.”
Coach Avalos spoke fondly about a team of coaches and players who he truly believes in and whose mentality and eagerness will show in year one with the WNFC. He described the heartbeat of the team, “We have respect and love for one another. We also have that willingness to prove ourselves because we are so small.” Shining in their diversity, cultural connections and love of family, La Muerte de Las Cruces will continue to establish their legacy on the field and within the hearts of their dedicated and growing fan base.