SILVER CITY, N.M. - Tim Bravo's journey is a testament to what it means to be a Mustang - excelling on the field, leading in the classroom, and making an impact far beyond Western New Mexico University.
A 1985 graduate of WNMU, Bravo carved out one of the most decorated baseball careers in program history. A consistent force at the plate, he posted a .400 batting average for two seasons and finished with a remarkable .385 career average. His name still lives throughout the Mustang record books, where he holds or shares eight career batting records, including highest batting average in a season (.403), most at-bats (263), most hits (106), most runs scored (88), most doubles (21), most triples (5), most stolen bases (21) and most walks (35).
Bravo's impact went well beyond statistics. A two-year team captain, he earned All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors in 1983 and was named to the 1984 All-RMAC Tournament Team. His teams also made history, as the 1983 Mustangs finished as NAIA batting champions with a .390 team average, followed by an RMAC Conference Championship in 1984.
Off the diamond, Bravo embodied the true student-athlete experience. He was a consistent presence on the Dean's List, served in student government, earned recognition in Who's Who among American Colleges and Universities during the 1984–85 academic year, and participated in the W Club and the Great Race all four years at WNMU. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education and a minor in Spanish, laying the foundation for a career centered on teaching and mentorship.
Those traits ultimately shaped the next chapter of his life. After college, Bravo became a full-time special education teacher and coach at Las Cruces High School, where he has spent more than two decades impacting students both academically and athletically. His love for teaching, combined with his baseball background and bilingual skills, opened an unexpected door at the professional level.
Through his friendship with former WNMU teammate Logan White - now retired and former Assistant Vice President of Amateur Scouting for the Los Angeles Dodgers - Bravo joined the Dodgers organization as Director of Cultural Assimilation. In that role, he worked closely with young Latin American players, helping them adjust to life in the United States. From learning English to navigating everyday tasks like banking or ordering meals, Bravo became a trusted mentor during one of the most challenging transitions of their careers.
That role placed him alongside one of baseball's most electrifying talents, Yasiel Puig. When Puig joined the Dodgers in 2013, Bravo formed an immediate bond with the Cuban outfielder, who affectionately called him "Teacher." As Puig burst onto the Major League scene, Bravo remained a stabilizing presence amid the media frenzy, helping guide him both on and off the field.
A Mustang to the core, Tim Bravo's influence stretches from the WNMU baseball diamond to high school classrooms and Major League clubhouses. His induction into the WNMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012 honored his remarkable collegiate career, but his legacy continues to grow through the lives he impacts every day. From record-setting hitter to educator, coach, and mentor, Bravo's story is one of excellence, service, and heart - a true example of going to greater heights after WNMU.
***
Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (X, TikTok & Instagram).
