Rio Rancho Board Names Track Facility for Late Coach Sal Gonzales

Sal Gonzales earned four state titles as a high school coach in New Mexico.

The Rio Rancho School Board voted unanimously on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, to rename the track and field facility at Rio Rancho High School in his honor. Todd Resch, the district's executive director of athletics, presented the proposal during the regular meeting. Principal Millan Baca spoke to the board about Gonzales' legacy in the cross country and track and field programs.

Gonzales died on April 13 after a battle with cancer. He arrived in Rio Rancho from his hometown of Pecos in 2008. Before joining the Rio Rancho Rams, he had already guided a state championship cross country team in Pecos. At Rio Rancho High School, he added four more state titles. He also taught history and geography and served as the school's athletic director from 2022 to 2026.

"I am honored to present this as a remembrance of the dedication Sal had as a coach and teacher," Resch said. "This facility will honor his commitment to RRHS." Resch told the board that Gonzales led athletes and students to success in all areas of their lives.

Following his death, Rio Rancho cross country coach Philip Keller announced that the Rio Rancho Jamboree cross country meet would be renamed in Gonzales' memory. The first event under the new name, the Sal Gonzales Jamboree, took place on Sept. 19. The board also approved a capital outlay grant agreement worth $615,567 to purchase four new district buses. Nick Brook, executive director of transportation, stated the new vehicles were needed to replace buses that reached their 12-year service limit. The board further approved a master plan funding assistance application required by the state.