Page 52 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

Arthur

Charles

Karger III

by Brannon Karger

Hall of Fame My grandfather “Art” Karger exemplifies what it means
to “strive for greatness in everything you do.” In every
situation in which he faced an obstacle, he rose above and
overcame whatever stood in his path. He lived as if he
could do anything with God on his side. I chose [to write
in Sports example he has set for my family, and how he attacks
about] my grandfather because of the great Christian
everything in life with a positive mindset. The values
that he utilized to get through tough situations were
and Life imprinted on him while he attended the New Mexico
Military Institute (NMMI) as a teenager. Art’s parents
had let him attend high school at NMMI because that
would enable him to play the sport he loved, basketball.
A standout on his high school team, coaches offered Art a
spot on the college team at NMMI, and he accepted. Due
to his attending high school there, he came in at a higher
rank than many of his peers. This helped him learn how
to lead, not only those his age or younger, but even some
of the older cadets. Due to the fact NMMI is a military
institution, the cadets also prepared like soldiers doing
daily workouts and [other disciplines], even the athletes.
He and his teammates would sometimes go through two
or three workouts a day. He says that this taught him
that even when you think you’ve reached your breaking
point, you can still persevere through anything. Art used
these skills and many others he learned during his tenure
at NMMI to become a New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame
inductee for excellence in his service to the people of
New Mexico, through the sport of basketball as a player,
coach, and administrator.

Brannon Karger interviewed his grandfather for a history
class at Hardin Simmons University, February 21, 2017.
Art Karger was head coach at Lovington High School
from 1982 to 1989. During that time he led the Wildcats to
an overall record of 138-52 (73%). That included six New
Mexico Final Four appearances and a state championship.
His district home game record is an impressive 38-3
(92%) which included a remarkable 35 straight wins. He
was twice honored as New Mexico Coach of the Year in