Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

Out in left field at NMMI Ballpark there's a sign displaying the names of the All-American players who attended the Institute.

Three of the four names on the board helped pave the way for the program in the early 60s.

Fifty-eight years ago, NMMI captured its second straight conference title under former head coach Capt. Robert Dennis.

The Broncos would not reach the Region V tourney again until 2016 under current head coach Chris Cook.

In 1961, Roger Staubach, Gene Hardman and Marlin Wells helped lead NMMI to victory.

"Well, it's obvious it's one of the best two-year periods in Bronco baseball history just based off their overall wins," Cook said. "It's tremendous to have a guy like Marlin in town who's a huge supporter of the Institute.

"He's also a huge supporter of the baseball program."

NMMI went 14-4 overall and 13-3 in conference during the '61 season. The squad outscored their opponents 163-67 during the regular season while batting a collective .296.

Hardman, a two-time All-American as a team captain at catcher, batted .563 in 1961 with a team-high 31 hits and four home runs.

Staubach, an All-American in 1961, covered the outfield as a centerfielder while he also worked out of the bullpen as a relief pitcher.

He sported a .328 average with 21 hits while he tossed 13 1/3 innings with 14 strikeouts.

NMMI was led on the mound by Wells who struck out 58 batters in 54 2/3 innings with a 7-1 record while he walked just 11 batters.

Wells was tabbed as an All-American in 1962 before he attended Pasadena College which is now known as Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Calif.

At Point Loma, Wells recorded 125 strikeouts while compiling an ERA of 3.00 his two years there. He has the best walk to strikeout ratio in school history.

Before his time at NMMI, Wells led Roswell High to a baseball state title in 1960. The Class A Coyotes defeated Valley in the championship match, and Wells hurled a no-hitter during the tournament.

"I was very blessed. I have wonderful memories of the baseball team," Wells said. "I had several good years pitching and I think the main reason was because we had such good players and good hitters."

Band of brothers

Staubach prepped for one year at NMMI before moving on to the Naval Academy where he had a storied career at quarterback winning the Heisman Trophy in 1963 and landing in the Cotton Bowl a year later where Navy fell in the national title game to the University of Texas.

He later served in the U.S. Navy and had one tour of duty in Vietnam before returning to the states to begin a 10-year career with the Dallas Cowboys where he won two Super Bowls and was invited to six Pro Bowls.

"He was a low-key guy. Just very personable and a natural athlete," Wells said about Staubach. "Roger was well liked by almost everyone and he had a great sense of humor."

Hardman had also prepped at NMMI for the Naval Academy where he played alongside Staubach in the '64 Cotton Bowl.

He served in the Marine Corps where he did two tours of duty in Vietnam.

Hardman was also a longtime tennis coach at NMMI as he was appointed director of the program in 1994 before passing away in March 2013.

Wells and Hardman were lifelong friends and neighbors.

"He was a real high energy guy. He was very intense and if you messed up, he would let you know about it," Wells said about Hardman. "At the plate he was a great power hitter and behind the plate he had a cannon of an arm."

Wells, who was inducted into the Point Loma Nazarene University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, served his country for four years in the Army where he reached the rank of captain.

He served one tour in Vietnam during the climax of the war in 1969 where he was attached to an artillery unit while he also spent two years in Germany with a howitzer battalion.

At the age of 23, Wells entered the Army as he spent one year stateside after being commissioned as a second lieutenant before going overseas.

Wells was decorated with a pair of Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, and the American Spirit Honor Award.

"I'm just blessed to be back. Several guys in my unit got hurt and several were killed," he said. "God took care of me and I'm just thankful to be here today.

"I developed an appreciation for America and for family because I missed a year with my family."

Wells, who is now semi-retired, went on to work in the financial services field. His business is now entering its 41st year, offering assistance in investing and retirement planning.

Roswell has been a special place for Wells and his inspirational wife Kathleen who have been happily married for 57 years.

Heavily involved within the community, Marlin has served on the Chaves County Economic Development Finance board.

In addition, he's also been president of the Roswell Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Roswell City Council, and has served previously on the NMMI Foundation Board.

Marlin also teaches a weekly bible study class and at night he still does his reading and studying just like his old days as a cadet.

Marlin and Kathleen have two sons, Greg and Rich, who both played baseball at the college level, graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University and Grand Canyon University, respectively.

They also have been blessed with two beautiful daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.

"I just feel like this has been a very great place to live. It's been good to me and I've tried to give back every way I can to the school, the community, and my church," Marlin said.

It's unique how a pair of pitchers and a catcher all made their way into the military and served during the same period before going on their own separate journeys.

One thing that set this group of teammates aside from others was their overall common goal.

"It was really just about teamwork, working together, setting goals, and helping each other out," Wells said about his team's success. "We wanted to win and be the best that we could be, and I think that carried over into my life. It's still there today after all these years."

NMMI strong

As the years went by, NMMI played an important role in helping Wells mold into the man he is today by increasing his confidence and helping him discover new leadership abilities.

"When I look back on it, it taught me the discipline, commitment, goal setting and just not giving up," he said. "I valued my two years there.

"As I look back on it I didn't necessarily like it, I don't think, but I made the best of it. I'm glad that I went here. It made just an amazing impact on me."

Wells attributes hard work, God's blessings and generosity to his success.

He encourages current and future cadets to look at the old students that have passed through the Institute and say, "If he or she can make it at this school, I can make it."

NMMI has prided itself by producing great leaders during its 129-year history of existence. The system has been going strong ever since then.

"Secondly, just do what you're told, do not fight the system, you cannot beat the system," added Wells. "It's been around for over 100 years so just accept it and make the most of it and this too shall pass."

Wells wanted to commend coach Cook for keeping the Bronco baseball legacy alive and taking it to the next level.

Jake Wells, Marlin's grandson, was a member of the Bronco baseball team that qualified for the Region V tourney four years ago in Lubbock, Texas. 

"I had the pleasure of coaching one of his grandsons for the year we went back to the regional after that long dry spell," Cook said. "It's been great getting to know Marlin over the last eight years.

"He and those other guys are all worthy of recognition for what they accomplished here at the Institute for the Bronco baseball program."