Friday night in Tasker Arena, Hobbs High School took the time to honor a longtime contributor to Hobbs schools and Hobbs sports. During halftime of the Eagles 85-70 win over Carlsbad, Hobbs AD Brenda Wilson presented Tony Baker with an award for his many years of dedication to the students of Hobbs Municipal Schools.
Baker, who graduated from Lovington High School, has served the Hobbs students and athletes for over 40 years.
He started teaching in Hobbs in 1976 where he was a secondary teach at Houston Junior High through 1987. He then was an assistant principal at Heizer Junior High from 1987 through 1990 before becoming the principal, a position he held from 1990 to 1995.
After that he was coordinator of special service for five years and during the 2000-01, he was the senior class principal at Hobbs High School.
Outside of education, he has been involved in Lea County sports form many, many years. He was the Houston track coach from 1978 through 1982. After giving up his track coach job, he became the Hobbs 5th and 6th grade Saturday morning basketball coordinator. He held that position from 1982 though 1988.
From 1997 though 2008 he was the Hobbs Quarterback club vice president. He also served at the interim president in 2009. He founded Eagle Night in 1996 and organized the annual event through 2017. He also organized the Hobbs Eagles Senior Football recognition from 1996 through 2017.
Since 2011, Baker has been doing sports photography for Lea County. He has worked for ESPNSouthwest.com, Fox-SportsHobbs.com , and currently NMTXsports.com. Among his photography is the Sports Photo Ministry for Hobbs seniors who sign nation letters of intent to play sports at the next level.
