Todd retires after 35 years of service to UNM

Preparing to retire after 35 years at The University of New Mexico, Jim Todd, known by many as "JT," director of Recreational Services, has built his decades-long career with patience and a belief in second chances.

He drew inspiration from a quote in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension: "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once."

He began as a student employee for Campus Recreation and Intramurals and will conclude his career as director of UNM Recreational Services-a journey that reflects resilience, perseverance and patience, qualities he said were learned through experience.

"As a student, I was on the 12-year college plan," he joked. "I earned my first degree in computer science."

During his college years, Todd said he was always drawn to Johnson Gym, making it a natural next step to work there.

Todd started his UNM career as a student employee, balancing work while pursuing a master's degree in recreation and sports administration. By 1990, he transitioned into a full-time position in Recreational Services and now prepares to end his career as the department's director.

Todd said his greatest strength-resilience-came from learning not to take things personally, a trait he attributes to two mentors, Tim Gutierrez, retired interim vice president for Student Affairs, and Craig Robertson, his first collegiate soccer coach.

Todd said Gutierrez instilled a strong work ethic and demonstrated a caring side.

"Tim showed faith in me and gave me second chances if I made mistakes," he said. "He trusted me to do my job and stayed out of my business and knew I would go to him when I had a problem."

Gutierrez described Todd as someone he could always rely on.

"He operated at the highest moral and ethical level, consistently putting the interests of students, staff and the University first," Gutierrez said.

Todd believed strongly in a second-chance approach when mentoring students and staff.

"I've had students who came to work for me who may have had trouble elsewhere and became valuable team members and leaders because we showed faith in them," he said.

Robertson also instilled a work ethic in Todd, but the approach was a little different-maybe a little more direct. Robertson was a no-nonsense guy, having grown up playing soccer in the U.K. He came to UNM from Scotland to teach nuclear engineering but also ended up being UNM men's soccer coach.

"We would say after training or a game, 'Hey that was really good,' and then he would say, 'No that's rubbish,'" Todd said. "He taught me that you can always do better."

"In my experience, nothing is ever what it seems to be, but everything is exactly what it is," Buckaroo Banzai says.

For Todd that perspective wasn't just a movie line-it became a guiding principle. It reflects the perseverance he mastered over decades, evident in his ability to steer Recreational Services through the University's shifting landscape.

The maturation of the department and its programs-beginning as Johnson Gym and evolving into Johnson Center over the years-has enabled Recreational Services to integrate into mainstream academia.

"We went from one gym, one weight room, and one intramural program to a 367,000-square-foot facility," Todd said.

Eric Scott, vice president for Student Affairs, credits Todd as a steady, dedicated leader.

"Across his 35-year career, Todd focused on advocacy for his team and Johnson Center overall, a commitment to expanding quality and access, and an unwavering support for the campus community-each of which shaped Recreational Services and Johnson Center in lasting ways," he said. "JT's service has elevated not only Johnson Center, but the overall experience of life at UNM by ensuring that well-being-both physical and mental-could be attended to in a place and space dedicated to thriving and connection."

Johnson Center has evolved over the years through various updates and renovations. However, the most recent, largest, and lengthiest remodel taught Todd patience.

"Things don't happen overnight, and you have to keep pressing for things," he said.

The remodel resulted from years of collaboration with students, touring other universities' recreational centers, presentations to regents, and creative efforts to secure funding.

"Before getting the funding for the project, we had taken every group of student leaders on tours across the country so that they could see other recreational centers and what was out there," Todd said.

After the student leader tours, they took his case to the UNM Board of Regents, presenting at three separate meetings to advocate for funding the Johnson Center renovation.

"We were turned down twice, and it wasn't until the third try that it really stuck," he said.

Todd attributes a progressive student body and the fact that the Associated Students of UNM (ASUNM) and the UNM Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) were both adamant about the need for a remodel.

"ASUNM and GPSA went full speed ahead and said we want a new student rec center, we'll raise student fees, we'll pay for it," Todd said. "The regents agreed, raised student fees and the students bought themselves the new rec center."

The project planning spanned nearly a decade.

"That's patience," Todd said. "Me, myself, I would have never gotten that result-it was the students that were the advocates and the students who pushed for it."

Todd credits the students and people he worked with for the longevity of his career at UNM.

"I never had an extremely bad day," Todd said. "I always loved my job-if you love what you do, you don't work."

Likewise, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't admire his resilience, perseverance and patience. Jenna Crabb, executive director for Student Resources, said she has enjoyed working with Todd in various capacities throughout her time at UNM.

"JT's retirement marks the close of an exceptional chapter defined by strong leadership, unwavering dedication, steadfast integrity, and his dry sense of humor," Crabb said. "JT leaves behind a strong legacy and big shoes to fill. He will be truly missed."

Todd said that while UNM will always exist, he hopes his years at UNM left a lasting mark-making life better for students and proving that departments like Recreational Services are essential to growth, connection and success.

As Todd looks ahead, his plans center on family-especially traveling to England to visit his college-age kids. Retirement might also be a good reminder that life's journey is about presence and perspective.

"Remember, no matter where you go… there you are," Buckaroo Banzai says.