Moriarty Middle School Athletic Coordinator Wins Statewide NMAA Honor

MORIARTY – Moriarty Middle School Athletic Coordinator Sommer Holland has been named the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) Middle School Athletic Coordinator of the Year.

Holland was nominated for the award by former Moriarty Middle School Principal Aaron Romero and high school athletic director Joseph Anaya in recognition of her dedicated leadership in managing the Moriarty Middle School’s athletic programs.

Now entering her fifth year with the Moriarty-Edgewood School District, Holland has served four years at the middle school level and three years as its athletic coordinator.

Holland’s path into athletic administration was non-traditional. After earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science from New Mexico State University, she completed a master’s degree in secondary education at Western New Mexico University. She first entered school operations as a long-term substitute teacher before transitioning into athletics.

“I just wanted to do something different,” Holland said. “My husband was actually the coordinator before me, so I helped him do all of it. And then when he left, they needed somebody that knew what they were doing, so I just kind of took it over. But now I couldn’t see myself not doing it. It’s probably my favorite thing about the schools.”

Her husband, Salomon Chavez, previously held the coordinator position.

Managing middle school athletics involves a demanding workload that ranges from organizing game schedules and arranging team transportation to staffing event workers for clock and gate operations, as well as overseeing concession stands.

Reflecting on the honor, Holland maintained a modest perspective on her daily responsibilities.

“I will never feel like I deserve this necessarily, because I do feel like I’m only doing what I’m supposed to do. I don’t feel like I’m going above and beyond who I am as a person,” Holland said.

As a woman in athletic administration—a field historically dominated by men—Holland offered pragmatic advice for young women aspiring to enter sports leadership and management roles.

“It really is a learn as you go,” Holland said. “You’re not going to know everything right off the bat, but that’s okay. But at the same time, make sure you hold your ground… I have to know that what I’m doing is the best thing for my school and for my kids, and I just got to keep that strong will.”