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Class of 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575118302484-NX031DMC40ZG8TIYA0GC/Trejo%2C+Jr+singing.jpg Class of 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575118128762-FCU0R5Q3IOX60W0KJOXE/Decorators+Plaque.jpg Class of 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575118137255-FAWH54SJFXV4VBHCMNBU/Hesterley+invocation.jpg Class of 2019 https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-canales-leticia daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578282689227-9WR0M099CHUKU4KY298Z/2019+Canales%2C+Leticia+NEW+4x6.jpg Leticia Canales - Leticia Canales Inducted 2019 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School College: Sul Ross University Best Known for: Basketball Coaching Canales was a starting guard for McAllen High School in 1980 and earned numerous all-district and all-Valley honors. After high school, she played basketball at Sul Ross State University, where was named all-conference twice and helped the Lobos to the Texas Intercollegiate Athletics Association championship in 1985. Canales began her successful coaching career at McAllen Memorial High School in 1990, where she coached for five years. She then accepted a coaching position at Corpus Christi Carroll High School, where she been since 1995. Canales led the Lady Tigers to their first UIL State Tournament appearance in 1998 and followed that with a repeat trip to state in 1999. In 23 years at Carroll, she has taken the Tigers to the playoffs 20 times. She has recorded more than 600 wins as a basketball coach. Canales was inducted into the Sul Ross University Hall of Honor in 1997. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886695245-8R21CZW9FAXDB2L7TN25/2019+Buck-Canales+stage.jpg Leticia Canales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886703197-3SDHNNFFJ9JUJVK6BDQ9/2019+Canales-Zamora.jpg Leticia Canales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886715660-984X00D4BHR7ADBMJBT2/2019+Canales%2C+Leticia+poster+1.jpg Leticia Canales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886717789-BHMU9VRDMDYX1D0U1O1Y/2019+Canales%2C+Leticia+stage+1.jpg Leticia Canales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886718034-NS26RMHNSO7WF8DDUFXY/2019+Canales%2C+Leticia+stage+2.jpg Leticia Canales https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-najera-desi daily 0.75 2021-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578282762106-UDT4ZAH6ULVSBCQX3BM4/2019+Najera%2C+Desi+NEW+4x6.jpg Desi Najera - Desi Najera Inducted 2019 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Athlete – Football Najera is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks ever to play high school football in Brownsville. Najera played quarterback at Brownsville High School from 1967-69, and was part of a team that was winless in his sophomore year. During the 1969 senior season, Najera led Brownsville to the District 26-4A championship and a 10-2 season record. He was a dual-threat quarterback who passed for 1,300 yards with 19 touchdowns rushed for 1,000 more with 12 TDs in his senior season. Brownsville won a bi-district championship before falling in the region semifinals. He received second-team all-state honors. Najera and 10 of his teammates from the 1969 team went on to play collegiate football. He received 26 college offers and chose Texas A&I University, where he played two seasons. His combined 333 yards was an individual school record at the time and earned him recognition in the Sports Illustrated “Faces in the Crowd.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886903100-TFSTQZ5UJNKIAJ8M6UCL/2019+Najera+Family+2.jpg Desi Najera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886903716-LNWBWAKW4MO0WDMOGB58/2019+Najera+Poster+1.jpg Desi Najera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886905636-HNK3YUMD70GUIUHDOMWR/2019+Najera-Zamora+jpg.jpg Desi Najera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886909847-HSYJNK885REGSGJ5P64H/2019+Najera%2C+Desi+stage+1.jpg Desi Najera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886909171-72D048VDA7SPY3WWMTCQ/2019+Najera%2C+Desi+stage+2.jpg Desi Najera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886996180-9JKOQ2MAY5F96R8GRCV4/2019%2BNajera%252C%2BDesi%2Bstage%2B3.jpg Desi Najera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886912359-1QTDECIFUQXIDLP0MP14/2019+Najera%2C+Desi+stage+4.jpg Desi Najera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886915058-83S3YEU0LCUSQBIGQ1FW/2019+Najera%2C+Desi+stage+5.jpg Desi Najera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886914527-EEFE0ICG44VEWGNWGI4P/2019+Najera%2C+Desi+stage+6.jpg Desi Najera https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-buck-mike daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578282645023-WTBRG2YMSD38JZ0GAL3N/2019+Buck%2C+Mike+NEW+4x6.jpg Mike Buck - Mike Buck Inducted 2019 Hometown: Deposit, N.Y. High School: Deposit High School College: State University of New York, University of Texas at Arlington, North Texas State University Best Known for: Officiating – Football Buck is a highly respected football official who was one of the most recognized faces around the Rio Grande Valley. Buck played football four years, basketball three years, baseball and track for two years and wrestling for one at Deposit High School. He received degrees from State University of New York (Alfred), The University of Texas at Arlington and North Texas State University. His talents as an official have coalesced nicely with his career path. Buck is one of the most recognizable and respected football official in the Valley. Over a 38-year officiating career, he officiated 683 varsity and 723 sub-varsity games, including 43 playoff games. He also officiated Arena Football for three seasons. He is past president of the RGV TASO chapter and a member of the National Association of Sports Officials for nearly 25 years. He has done playoff tilts, All-Star contests, and countless big games on the local level, all with the same dignity and expertise. He retired after the 2017 football season. He held multiple administrative positions at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, where he retired after in 2008 after 32 years at the school. He is also a 25-year veteran as a major in the National Guard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886637459-MCYSVBAK5DRKN6NDI5V4/2019+Buck-Canales+stage.jpg Mike Buck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886638345-S4A8589Z7GD7V9WSU02F/2019+Buck-Zamora.jpg Mike Buck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886639388-28JM63ZZISPWX49XR3J8/2019+Buck%2C+Mike+poster+1.jpg Mike Buck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886642672-NF9OEZ43WUIG5G7876ZQ/2019+Buck%2C+Mike+stage+1.jpg Mike Buck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595953544962-SWGY0GFE1PMEKSQCCP44/2019%2BBuck%252C%2BMike%2Bstage%2B2.jpg Mike Buck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886643952-HS10QDDKNRXCLQMP4QSW/2019+Buck%2C+Mike+stage+3.jpg Mike Buck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886645128-I16QEIWBQIO2J4A7MOYP/2019+Buck%2C+Mike+stage+4.jpg Mike Buck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595953490088-FURA97QBRYNNSZK6P9DC/IMG_8379.jpg Mike Buck https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-chavez-tom daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734524259-ZMR3NGKF2YLB177TG3GX/2017-chavez-tom.jpg Tom Chavez - Tom Chavez Inducted 2017 Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico High School: Valley High School, Albuquerque, N.M. College: New Mexico Highlands University Best Known for: Coaching – Football b. August 18, 1946 Chavez played collegiate football at New Mexico Highlands University, which advanced to the NAIA Championship semifinals in 1966 and 1967. He stayed at NMHU as a graduate assistant coach and was recruited to coach at Brownsville High School in 1969. He joined Coach Joe Rodriguez’ staff as the Defensive Coordinator for BHS from 1969-74, and then went into private business. He returned to the coaching ranks to open Rivera High School in 1988. Rivera joined the varsity ranks in 1990, and Chavez started a successful 17-year run with the Raiders. Chavez teams won four district titles, and advanced to the regional semifinals in 1999. He coached at Hanna High for three years, taking the 2009 team to the playoffs. After a three-year stint as BISD Athletic Director, Chavez returned to Rivera, where he has coached again from 2012-2018. He took 10 teams to the playoffs, including in 2013 when the Raiders upset McAllen High. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595453759359-GSJHVJAC1TYH4ZJMEXE9/2017+Chavez%2C+Tom+1.JPG Tom Chavez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595453947356-KYGV5BSQYGI7VYCRLXK1/2017+Chavez%2C+Tom.JPG Tom Chavez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595453899269-5QLKOY2OIGXLIU849G58/2017+Chavez%2C+Tom+3.JPG Tom Chavez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595453906315-93S5ZBFTMOFBUCX66JAD/2017+Chavez%2C+Tom+stage.JPG Tom Chavez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595453754357-DELLW8R2IQQ8HLSIGEMQ/2017+Chavez%2C+Tom+2.JPG Tom Chavez https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-morton-jim daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1553947109268-3KUABR9VFHO5958CCNEM/2019+Morton%2C+Jim+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Jim Morton - Jim Morton Sr. † Inducted 2019 Hometown: San Antonio High School: Fox Tech High School Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps Best Known for: Coaching – Football b. May 22, 1931 Morton played high school football at Fox Tech High School in San Antonio and was a U.S. Marine for 20 years. His experiences in the military enabled him to become a legendary Valley coach. Morton was the two-time winner of the Purple Heart started his local football coaching career in 1969 at Marine Military Academy in Harlingen. He compiled a 137-119 record in football over 25 seasons and also held the post of athletic director, coaching three sports. His 137 career victories rank among the top 10 in Rio Grande Valley history. In 1974, MMA advanced to the TCIL state championship game. In 1977, the Leathernecks captured the TAPPS championship of Texas that eluded them three years earlier. Many of Morton's players attended one of the major service academies and others received Division I scholarships. Among them was Dale Hellestrae, who played at SMU and then in the NFL with Dallas. Three of his sons later became coaches in the Valley, and the Morton family remains a legendary group. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886788142-EY3QFMCYE8MQVZYZZIAK/2019+Morton-Slayton+stage+1.jpg Jim Morton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886788821-RXTAOB6KTTLOSCPS7P7D/2019+Morton-Zamora.jpg Jim Morton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886795264-IFG9JDPRQPBPWNFSFRSB/2019+Morton%2C+Ken+stage+1.jpg Jim Morton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886795549-A38LPOPVPPUC9350SF64/2019+Morton%2C+Ken+stage+2.jpg Jim Morton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595886797227-GSXSHW125IJB8WRS0W5T/2019+Morton%2C+Ken+stage+3.jpg Jim Morton https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-perez-cesar daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578282832122-0XMGUW78HCI6WH4W6E4Y/2019+Perez%2C+Cesar+NEW+4x6.jpg Cesar Perez - Cesar Perez Inducted 2019 Hometown: Rio Grande City High School: Rio Grande City High College: Texas Southmost College, Sam Houston State University Best Known for: Baseball b. December 24, 1956 Perez was one of the Valley's best pitchers in the 1970s at Rio Grande City High School, posting strikeout games of 19, 18 and 16. A four-year starter, he was named to all-district teams twice before graduating in 1975. He went on to pitch for Texas Southmost College and pitched multiple no-hit games. He helped the Scorpions advance to the NJCAA College World Series in 1977. After two years at TSC, he moved to Sam Houston State University in 1979, and helped the Bearkats reach the NAIA World Series in 1979. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds in 1979 and 1980, but never played professionally. Perez earned a master's degree in finance and eventually graduated from law school at The University of Texas in 1994. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945005182-H5I120Z1I54CIFP2RZS1/2019+Perez+scholarship+1.jpg Cesar Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945005466-FRELD2XCO9OO99QWXAU1/2019+Perez+Scholarship+2.jpg Cesar Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945006607-2477DR74K5DV33CZVIBO/2019+Perez+Scholarship+3.jpg Cesar Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945008446-BLKVEVYDOQP6WFOHMEWA/2019+Perez-Zamora.jpg Cesar Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945008893-LA229DDIJ3V4LY8PQ1QC/2019+Perez%2C+Cesar+poster+1.jpg Cesar Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945013709-XLTY85VUH8H9MVSXTG99/2019+Perez%2C+Cesar+poster.jpg Cesar Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945012682-B7V495HP8KDPWVKWWIQV/2019+Perez%2C+Cesar+stage+1.jpg Cesar Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945015086-91CHH7ZRY9SXGOT0QP7G/2019+Perez%2C+Cesar+stage+2.jpg Cesar Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595954042240-3UENZYMXLY92322DQMTH/IMG_8433.jpg Cesar Perez https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-parker-frank daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578282798620-FFW82LCSZC1WNH6MUL41/2019+Parker%2C+Frank+NEW+4x6.jpg Frank Parker - Frank Parker † Inducted 2019 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: The University of Texas Best Known for: Football April 1, 1929-May 8, 2020 Parker was a superb all-around athlete, a football center and basketball post who was fast enough to run the open quarter in track. Parker was one of the finest athletes in Brownsville High School history, winning nine letters before graduating in 1946. He was a sophomore on Coach Bob Martin’s undefeated 1945 district champ and an Honorable Mention All-State selection his senior season who played in the state football All-Star Game. That Eagle team was ranked No. 9 in the state, with Parker at center and linebacker. Parker earned a scholarship to The University of Texas, where he played for two seasons before suffering a career-ending knee injury as a junior, but not before he competed in the Orange Bowl for the Longhorns against Georgia. He was named the center on the All-Time Brownsville Football team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887035032-8J06F5VJZ4V97LXHRH4U/2019+Parker-Weekley.jpg Frank Parker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887037841-YLIVTQRUBVMSFBFNUAUX/2019+Parker-Zamora.jpg Frank Parker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887038628-9W0WF960DND2TVN997F1/2019+Parker%2C+Frank+Poster+1.jpg Frank Parker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887041871-PKVVVIH8B17AU22IACHU/2019+Parker%2C+Frank+stage+1.jpg Frank Parker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887041989-2Q7EOKHBHQO24LTGO0HB/2019+Parker%2C+Frank+stage+2.jpg Frank Parker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595953804927-EVKNC78IVIPVK8K5XNS4/2019%2BParker%252C%2BFrank%2Bstage%2B3.jpg Frank Parker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887371176-6EY0WDLFB7L8C0WQH05S/2019+Parker%2C+Frank+stage+4.jpg Frank Parker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887374862-EZ63DEN6J8W29V59UH1Y/2019+Parker%2C+Frank+stage+5.jpg Frank Parker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595953969211-UCYSRRNF2C50IPSJI2AI/IMG_8411.jpg Frank Parker https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-skinner-sissy daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578282860739-2KBNSYD0F47OTGZR60SH/2019+Skinner%2C+Sissy+NEW+4x6.jpg Sissy Skinner - Sissy Skinner Inducted 2019 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Lamar University, The University of Houston Best Known for: Coaching – Tennis b. October 14, 1947 A standout tennis player at Edinburg High in the 1960s, Skinner ranked among the state's best to a coaching run that has yielded multiple titles at numerous schools, and has been a strong tennis presence in Texas for decades. She gained a No. 1-ranking four times and represented Texas at the national Junior Wightman Cup competition. A star and team captain in college at Lamar University and The University of Houston, she was the first women's tennis pro at Houston's McGregor Park Tennis Court. She coached at Stephen F. Austin University and at Spring Branch ISD before returning to the Valley in 1992 to coach the Sharyland High girls' and boys' program for six seasons from 1992 to 1997, taking a district title each season with a 123-3 record. Skinner helped form a number of statewide tennis associations and has been highly successful as a player and coach into the 2000s. She continues to play tennis on the senior circuit. She has been nominated to the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945120640-7V6XWL7R8B6WXS9M9GKP/2019+Skinner-Zamora.jpg Sissy Skinner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945120799-QLCJ2QPEC9GPK477H0O7/2019+Skinner%2C+Sissy+Poster+1.jpg Sissy Skinner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945123684-IB44MD1MQL8E51UWST88/2019+Skinner%2C+Sissy+stage+1.jpg Sissy Skinner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945172422-HBAOXIJPUXFGHBGV01S2/2019%2BSkinner%252C%2BSissy%2Bstage%2B2.jpg Sissy Skinner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945126955-ZSGZMF93NG3YISAM6ZOW/2019+Skinner%2C+Sissy+stage+3.jpg Sissy Skinner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945127266-GI29IG3IHKOV2D0EUZQE/2019+Skinner%2C+Sissy+stage+4.jpg Sissy Skinner https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-slayton-doyle daily 0.75 2020-07-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1553974037658-HN8CYZP6WQ6NKK0Z1KW9/2019+Slayton%2C+Doyle+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Doyle Slayton - Doyle Slayton † Inducted 2019 Hometown: Pharr High School: P-SJ-A High School College: McMurry College Best Known for: Football and Track A stellar football player and track athlete in high school at P-SJ-A in the late 1950s, Slayton went on to become a starter at McMurry College and a long-time coach at a number of schools. He played tackle at P-SJ-A, making All-District and honorable mention All-State in 1959. He set a state record in the discus throw at the regional track meet in 1960 with a toss of 162-8. From there, he attended McMurry where his coach was future Baylor leader Grant Teaff. Slayton earned a spot on the NAIA Division 8 All-Star Team in 1964 and was also a competitive discus man on the college level. Slayton coached at six Valley schools in football and powerlifting, with head coach/AD stints at Zapata and Santa Rosa. He also coached at Tarkio College, making that school’s Hall of Honor in 2003. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945578114-WKC632QTFZN78VEFM2EX/2019+Slayton-Zamora.jpg Doyle Slayton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945578575-FT0HXEK74CP6XUAWJUGA/2019+Slayton%2C+Doyle+Poster+2.jpg Doyle Slayton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945580710-QCPM3VV73TAFBJ16FR6Z/2019+Slayton%2C+Doyle+stage+1.jpg Doyle Slayton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595945580879-DJOJ91PXQ0NO6AWMITNX/2019+Slayton%2C+Doyle+stage.jpg Doyle Slayton https://www.rgvshof.net/board daily 0.75 2026-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579060170976-J8WUN8T3B3YEDAXBFUTC/2005+Gonzalez%2C+Paula+4x6.jpg Board of Directors - Paula Gonzalez - President President McAllen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1738796756465-XYA9YH5R98QKFE87AIS1/Raul%2BVega.jpg Board of Directors - Raul Vega - Vice President Vice President https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069196706-NV1FSNE9S7WRN6Y3IC4V/Zamarripa%2C+Nora+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board of Directors - Nora Zamarripa - Secretary Secretary Harlingen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069001599-1UMKCM0VDOVEUW9LHXQA/Torres%2C+Gus+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board of Directors - Gus Torres Member Harlingen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069099425-A261KE69T3QCWM8Q2NBW/Hinojosa%2C+Manuel+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board of Directors - Manuel Hinojosa Member Port Isabel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069033442-DGD7DA17FY1DQGF8H2I3/Esparza%2C+Debbie+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board of Directors - Debbie Esparza Director Harlingen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581130583888-PBO6GJKERF4Z84Y65E2W/Robledo%252C%2BCarlos%2B4x6.jpg Board of Directors - Carlos Robledo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1612279957033-TM83HJB8ZAW7Q3PED3AR/Mark+May_pp.jpg Board of Directors - Mark May Director McAllen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069110882-CHKENGA9FX6PR2MZ5CHA/Lerma%2C+John+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board of Directors - John Lerma Director McAllen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1738795562094-NZHDH8B0L8AWXYRDKDY1/ADB+2023+%281%29.jpg Board of Directors - Alex Del Barrio Member McAllen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069158508-RL8CGYLI7CL49EEUEB7S/Soza%2C+Lupe+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board of Directors - Lupe Soza Director McAllen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1738796799032-VL7OBVO6PSLCWCKILAF9/IMG00145.jpg Board of Directors - Veronica Perez Member https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069148197-SDX6SRS8NHO6R25PUV1T/Perez%2C+Cesar+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board of Directors - Cesar Perez Director La Joya https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1738796317285-AHQ9ZRHYCF8R5RD3N1DD/Jessica+Iglelias.JPEG Board of Directors - Jessica Iglesias Member Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1738796364365-SVH9IAL96BB5IMUQZ9QP/Rene+Guajardo.jpeg Board of Directors - Rene Guajardo Member https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1738796995417-FCHS3QLRSXOSJFBRCVPT/Mando+Perez.jpg Board of Directors - Mando Perez Member https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1738797336765-H7D1LMS5H620UO6R3MS9/Kromer.jpg Board of Directors - Chris Kromer Member Weslaco https://www.rgvshof.net/selection-process daily 0.75 2021-07-30 https://www.rgvshof.net/our-history daily 0.75 2021-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1557092632933-578PFK65FVPG0NS36HRV/1988%2BBoard.jpg Our History Some of the founding members at the first meeting of the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors on June 16, 1985. (Seated, from left) Adrian Flores†, Pikey Rodriguez, Jim Brooks†, Craig Smith†. (standing) Camilo Rodriguez†, Max Cavazos†, Tomas Esparza, Ph.D.† https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614693262942-V61WB8YWU8AJMYJ68EE2/1988+Hall+of+Fame+Founders.JPG Our History Among the first group of the Board of Directors in 1988 was (left to right) Pikey Rodriguez, Thomas Esparza and E.C. Lerma. https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-alaniz-steve daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578284844569-2MI6MBTOGRPU7WW3VTUC/2018+Alaniz%2C+Steve+NEW+4x6.jpg Alaniz, Steve - Steve Alaniz Inducted 2018 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: The University of Notre Dame Best Known for: Football Alaniz was a tight end and wide receiver at Edinburg High for three seasons, and was a Class 5A First Team All-State selection. In his senior year in 1984, Alaniz caught 68 passes, the second most in Texas that year. He caught 16 passes in the season opener against Gregory-Portland in 1984, setting a Valley record at the time. The mark still ranks among the top 35 in Texas all-time. Alaniz’ most memorable catch came on a fourth-and-nine at midfield in the fourth quarter of a bi-district playoff against Alice. The score was 13-13 at the time, and Alaniz made a one-handed catch to continue the fourth-quarter drive and help the Bobcats to a 27-13 win. Alaniz earned a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, and caught four passes in his college career. He was a member of the Notre Dame team that won the national championship in 1988. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595876861022-NU0RMI97HO2QYPPSJZUS/2018+Alaniz%2C+Steve+family+2.jpg Alaniz, Steve https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595876853182-WD3IGPZEFFZ3F28VSFI7/2018+Alaniz%2C+Steve+family+3.jpg Alaniz, Steve https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595876876465-0HIBOF8XBG1NITC549K8/2018+Alaniz%2C+Steve+family.jpg Alaniz, Steve https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-class daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578284597408-9ZWDTQZBV8DYC4DX867Z/2018+Alaniz%2C+Steve+NEW+4x6.jpg 2018 Class - Steve Alaniz Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578284688569-CDGU8P1KB20AB7L1PHLO/2018+Danaher%2C+Phil+NEW+4x6.jpg 2018 Class - Phil Danaher Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578284712392-UZAJZXJM2XOR2PXSSKT9/2018+Edquist%2C+Kim+NEW+4x6.jpg 2018 Class - Kim Edquist Hometown: Laredo Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554082671426-TMCM1YR32K4QSM0SQ01K/04+Dube+Thomas%2C+Becky+2x3+100+DPI.jpg 2018 Class - Becky (Dube) Thomas Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578284731792-IELOB08FZGUDA50MNNJ2/2018+Ingram%2C+Roland+NEW+4x6.jpg 2018 Class - Roland Ingram Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Coach-Tennis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578284748936-YUOND2MK7N9HIBW3PPK7/2018+Lefner+White%2C+Rosie+Marie+NEW+4x6.jpg 2018 Class - Rose Marie (Lefner) White Hometown: Lyford Best Known for: Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554082816719-SMGI3PE6VZ8E1T8FRAWM/07+Mancha%2C+Joe+2x3+100+DPI.jpg 2018 Class - Joe Mancha † Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578284795080-HEVMXYPYFPUTHFN1PFW4/2018+Villarreal%2C+Tony+III+NEW+4x6.jpg 2018 Class - Tony Villarreal III Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578284769614-4369XWOMOBRGFPGSGO8G/2018+Montalvo%2C+Sammy+NEW+4x6.jpg 2018 Class - Sam Montalvo Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554082899234-UXFHURV06R4R0XJN92Y7/09+Tripson%2C+John+2x3+100+DPI.jpg 2018 Class - John Tripson † Hometown: Madero (near Mission) Best Known for: Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595876707339-K144YNH9ZF1Q3ZCHJDVD/2018+Inductee+Group.jpg 2018 Class https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-danaher-phil daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578310900315-L20FP32LRVY8T2EXQLEY/2018+Danaher%2C+Phil+NEW+4x6.jpg Danaher, Steve - Phil Danaher Inducted 2018 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Angelo State University Best Known for: Football Coaching – Football b. November 23, 1948 A hard-nosed running back at Harlingen High School who was named All-State, Phil Danaher played collegiate football for Angelo State and has become the greatest high school football coaches in Texas history. He began his head coaching career in 1974 at Dilley. Danaher became the head coach at Calallen High School in Corpus Christi in 1984. When he took over the program, the Wildcats had not made the playoffs for 29 years. Calallen has earned a trip to the postseason every year since he arrived. The Wildcats advanced to the Class 4A Division II title game in 2005 and 2016. The Wildcats have also reached the state semifinals seven other times, including a string of five straight appearances from 1993-97. After the season, he had recorded 458 wins against 110 losses and four ties. He leads Texas in most victories as a coach, and is one of two coaches who have recorded more than 400 wins. In 2009, the field was named Phil Danaher Field at Wildcat Stadium in his honor. This biography will be updated. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595876943618-N6C4KXR427W007H9J7AV/2018+Danaher%2C+Phil+family+1.jpg Danaher, Steve https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-edquist-kim daily 0.75 2021-02-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578310957294-HGPOZS5J1V9WO6E9EMQN/2018+Edquist%2C+Kim+NEW+4x6.jpg Edquist, Kim - Kim Edquist Inducted 2018 Hometown: Laredo High School: United High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Coaching – Girls’ Basketball Edquist compiled an impressive record in 27 seasons as head girls’ basketball coach at Los Fresnos High School. A native Burlington, Iowa, her family moved to Laredo at a young age. She participated in basketball, volleyball and track at Laredo United, receiving multiple all-district honors. She was a member of the United team that advanced to the 1983 Class 4A state tournament. She went on to play point guard for the Pan American University women’s basketball team for four years. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she began her coaching career at Weslaco as a JV coach for four years and was interim head coach at La Joya for two months before moving to Los Fresnos. In 27 seasons, Edquist amassed a record of 528 wins against 344 losses (.606), with seven district championships. The Lady Falcons advanced to the regional tournament in 1999-2000, reached the regional quarterfinals three other times, and have four bi-district championships. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877106801-4YOU4FMMEQPCIS64G9I5/2018+Edquist%2C+Kim+family.jpg Edquist, Kim https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-dube-thomas-becky daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554085623312-K9JAVUTJWPI7G25V99JR/03+Dube+Thomas%2C+Becky+2x3+100+DPI.jpg (Dube) Thomas, Becky - Becky (Dube) Thomas Inducted 2018 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Basketball One of the first great modern-era basketball stars in the Valley, Dube was successful at McAllen High and Pan American University, where she was the nation’s leading scorer. She was a fierce competitor for legendary Coach Teresa Casso's Lady Bulldogs from 1980-82. An All-Valley MVP and honor student, she scored 1,626 points in high school and led the team to the regional tournament as a junior, averaging 18.5 points per game with a season high of 35. At Pan American, Dube was No. 1 in the NAIA ranks with 28.4 points per game in 1985 and earned academic All-American status with a 3.8 grade-point average. Her 514 field goals made from 1984-86 is No. 1 in the UTPA record books. Her total points of 1,156 ranks third, but the two ranked above her had the luxury of the three-point shot, which was not used in the 1980s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877046014-O6LVJ2ZUM44C87X66GR6/2018+Dube%2C+Becky+family.jpg (Dube) Thomas, Becky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877045001-0LQWRQDL7LQR3OKZO7T9/2018+Dube%2C+Becky+parents.jpg (Dube) Thomas, Becky https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-ingram-roland daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578310991933-XND1ZLGJBJ91STDW6BFU/2018+Ingram%2C+Roland+NEW+4x6.jpg Ingram, Roland - Roland Ingram Inducted 2018 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: North Texas State University Best Known for: Tennis Coaching A high school tennis career that started as a player at Harlingen High culminated with a 19-year run at Texas Christian University’s women’s tennis coach. Ingram played tennis at HHS from 1954-57, graduating in 1957 and earning a full scholarship to Schreiner Junior College, where he won national singles and doubles titles in 1958. He transferred to North Texas State University, and played there three years and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He coached high school tennis in Amarillo for seven years before going to Midland College in 1974. He was a club pro for seven years before joining the TCU staff in 1983. His TCU teams were nationally ranked nine times and won conference championships four times. He has been elected to Hall of Fames by the Texas Tennis Coach Association in 1995, Schreiner University in 2003, and the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877172080-LK53W5FW8CVQ07PEMZ1Q/2018+Ingram%2C+Roland+family.jpg Ingram, Roland https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-lefner-white-rose-marie daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578311180996-EC39E3H1T5EHAMT2SMCN/2018+Lefner+White%2C+Rosie+Marie+NEW+4x6.jpg Lefner White, Rose Marie - (Lefner) White, Rose Marie Inducted 2018 Hometown: Lyford High School: Lyford High School College: Temple Junior College, Sam Houston State University Best Known for: Basketball Lefner began her career as a freshman in 1961 on the Lyford girls’ basketball team. She made All-District four years, All-Region her senior year and represented Lyford High School for the South Team at the 1965 Texas All-Star game in Waco. She averaged 27 points a game in her four-year high school career. After graduating from LHS in 1965, she played at Temple Junior College and led TJC in most points in a single season (474), most free throws in a single season (118) and most rebounds in a game (14). She was a second-team All-Regional. In her sophomore season, Lefner averaged 10.9 points. In 1966, she was one of 50 women invited by the U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Committee to participate in the first developmental training camp program. Lefner played at Sam Houston University for her junior and senior years. After her collegiate career, she began teaching and coaching in Canyon. Her daughter Candace Whitaker is the head women’s basketball coach at Texas Tech University. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877247154-7CU30EN7J4Q47IR9KUC8/2018+Lefner+White%2C+Rose+Marie+family+2.jpg Lefner White, Rose Marie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877243765-4TGDOOTUB2IX2949U1DP/2018+Lefner+White%2C+Rose+Marie+family+3.jpg Lefner White, Rose Marie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877256013-VXGH5SRPA4JIJ3ZCJT6G/2018+Lefner+White%2C+Rose+Marie+family.jpg Lefner White, Rose Marie https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-mancha-joe daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554086436304-4JND5EERYBU8H24VGJWD/07+Mancha%2C+Joe+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Mancha, Joe - Joe Mancha † Inducted 2018 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School College: The University of Houston Best Known for: Football Mancha was named to the Valley All-Millennium Team selected in 2000 by Valley Freedom Newspapers. He was a three-time All-District lineman for the McAllen Bulldogs who was named All-State twice, first team as a junior. In 1952, With Mancha leading the way, McAllen upset No. 3-ranked San Antonio Edison, 26-6, before a record crowd of 14,000 at Bulldog Memorial Stadium. Although McHi lost in the state semifinals, that season was a memorable one as the Bulldogs set a school record with 11 consecutive wins and built a No. 5 state ranking. Mancha's crunching blocks allowed the 1952 team to score 450 points, a mark that stood for four decades. Previously, he had starred in track and field, where he qualified for the state track meet in Austin in the spring of 1952. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877319929-KWVEJ1PE246JN0Q8V6T8/2018+Manchoa%2C+Joe+family+2.jpg Mancha, Joe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877319644-E5LOYVB4Z3PMP91G1G06/2018+Manchoa%2C+Joe+family.jpg Mancha, Joe https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-montalvo-sam daily 0.75 2021-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578311136974-4XPX20PL123RAT03RQ0H/2018+Montalvo%2C+Sammy+NEW+4x6.jpg Montalvo, Sam - Sam Montalvo Inducted 2018 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Pace High School College: The University of Texas at Arlington Best Known for: Athlete – Track Montalvo was a standout athlete in football and track at Brownsville Pace High School, where he graduated in 1980. He qualified for the regional track meet four times and the UIL state track meet three times, winning two state championships. He won the Region IV 800 meters his junior and senior years, tying the region record in 1980. As a sophomore, Montalvo qualified for the state track meet in the 400 meters. He won the state championship in the 800 meters in his junior and senior years. He finished his high school career as one of the top 800 meter runners in the country and was a finalist at the Golden West Invitational in Sacramento Calif. Montalvo went on to compete at NCAA Division I The University of Texas at Arlington, setting school records in three events. He was also a Southland Conference bronze medalist for the 800 meters in 1982. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877384991-853KK5MGDDWT8VVYBRMW/2018+Montalvo%2C+Sammy+family+2.jpg Montalvo, Sam https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877392098-L31Q9X4U4NN2KX9R1BWB/2018+Montalvo%2C+Sammy+family+3.jpg Montalvo, Sam https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877397643-HVRI917V0ZUL6CPY50RS/2018+Montalvo%2C+Sammy+family+4.jpg Montalvo, Sam https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877409321-HX2YRF15G09YI0V8O0ON/2018+Montalvo%2C+Sammy+family.jpg Montalvo, Sam https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-tripson-john daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554087066271-4CKPG706HWRXRR3N5ABN/09+Tripson%2C+John+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Tripson, John - John Tripson † Inducted 2018 Hometown: Madero High School: Mission High School College: Mississippi State University Professional: Detroit Lions Best Known for: Football Sept. 17, 1919-July 6, 1997 Tripson grew up in Madero, south of Mission, and had an outstanding football career that ended in the NFL. He was a member of the Mission Eagles team that went unbeaten in 1936 and was a good friend and teammate of Tom Landry. He was an all-district tackle at Mission at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. Tripson was recruited and signed with Mississippi State University, and did his best to bring Landry with him to Mississippi. Landry chose The University of Texas. He played four years there and was named all-Southeast Conference tackle and was Honorable Mention All-America. He helped Mississippi State to a 14-7 win over Georgetown in the Orange Bowl. He played in the All-Star game in 1940. Tripson was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1940 and given a one-year contract. He played the 1941 season with the Lions, was chosen first team All-Pro and played in the Pro Bowl. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served in World War II. He received the Navy Cross for “gallantry, dauntless courage and fearless devotion to duty.” https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-villarreal-tony3 daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578311239045-L7T6Q291FHWDH7M94XHG/2018+Villarreal%2C+Tony+III+NEW+4x6.jpg Villarreal III, Tony - Tony Villarreal III Inducted 2018 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Hanna High School College: Texas Southmost College, Southern Methodist University Best Known for: Coaching – Football b. October 7, 1957 Once a standout wide receiver for Brownsville Hanna High School, Villarreal became one of the Valley’s best coaches, with 197 victories and a 71-percent winning percentage in 24 seasons. He played collegiate baseball at Texas Southmost College and Southern Methodist University, and launched his coaching career shortly thereafter as an assistant coach. Villarreal has led every team he coached to the state playoffs, with seven district titles, three appearances in regionals, and one state semifinal trip. He began at Port Isabel, where his Tarpons were among the tops in the state, advancing to the final four in 1994, when Villarreal was named Texas Coach of the Year in Class 3A. He coached at Pharr North and then his alma mater, Brownsville Hanna, making the playoffs in both stints. In 2005, he came to Weslaco, and led the Panthers in the playoffs consistently, including a three-deep, 10-win season in 2007. A two-time Valley Coach of the Year, Villarreal is known for his intensity and commitment to excellence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595877503855-7J3WO8Z5FNHPHPFO16WH/2018+Villarreal%2C+Tony+family.jpg Villarreal III, Tony https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595471965580-JX6CH7JX7EP9DU3DSR0B/2018+Villarreal%2C+Tony+extended+family.jpg Villarreal III, Tony https://www.rgvshof.net/alphabetical daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://www.rgvshof.net/list-by-year-inducted daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://www.rgvshof.net/printed-programs daily 0.75 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1624454961873-OE4ZUVRTE37MQV15RXVS/2021+Induction+Program+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2021 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575384029131-Y0LJ6L4ISOHOJKQND3CM/2019+cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2019 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415911563-B6HSHND7SB2GBGCXLY3I/2018+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2018 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415931343-4P5WMDZ5AFLGZIX0EMHR/2017+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2017 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415928805-X3DZDR6P5NG5NEA7RCYD/2016+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2016 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415929251-SJM74YPMGNCI5WYZJJLG/2015+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2015 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415945359-9Z7O9SZUFGM3FS3RGRHW/2014+cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2014 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415974306-3NRQX7FBIV9EBMQNQ1SK/2013+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2013 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415974392-NBKYAFR586T4H2XTAAHY/2012+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2012 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415976352-VJ2WVSRNSDFW5N6KBE68/2011+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2011 Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554415977154-38797Z8ISZ7A0WH6SLY7/2010+Cover.jpg Induction Programs - 2010 Program https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-silva-malesich-lisa daily 0.75 2021-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578282722871-MK8YXRP53GKAVC91W2HK/2019+Silva+Malesich+Lisa+NEW+4x6.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich - Lisa (Silva) Malesich Inducted 2019 Hometown: La Villa High School: La Villa High School College: The University of Texas at San Antonio Best Known for: Athlete – Cross Country and Track Silva was a standout distance runner in the Rio Grande Valley who captured three cross country state championships and three track state gold medals. She ran the distance events at La Villa High School for four years before graduating in 1993 as the salutatorian. As a sophomore, she won her first state cross country gold medal and qualified for the state track meet in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter run. As a junior, she won gold in the state cross country meet and also led her cross country team in La Villa to a state team championship. In the spring, she won gold in the 1600-meter run and silver in the 800-meter run at the state track meet. As a senior, she won her third consecutive cross country state championship, and ended her high school running career with a gold medal in the 3200-meter and 1600-meter races at the state track meet. She also won multiple district and regional championships in cross country and track. Silva received a scholarship to run cross country and track at The University of Texas at San Antonio where she lettered for four years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887137694-VC21Y8FU9M3WI9L2E3NC/2019+Malesich+Poster+1.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887137773-Y67CT89ELGH4SIDAYR56/2019+Malesich-Zamora.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887141268-MIVCW972XY5H5PGBYHV7/2019+Malesich%2C+Lisa+stage+1.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887174263-PGRDQHX1BAHKK696FCLQ/2019%2BMalesich%252C%2BLisa%2Bstage%2B2.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595887143743-IY8CIV02NKL8X8UFCYST/2019+Malesich%2C+Lisa+stage+3.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595953700277-5BF27DLWHFORSKRWOVJ1/IMG_8402.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595953675601-51QVJGRB50TP4BFU0F35/IMG_8406.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595953710974-OPGNJ2ZCQN5WHDJ6B9YX/IMG_8440.jpg Lisa (Silva) Malesich https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-gonzales-ruben daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734557838-O8IHU0ERJJ8KSK7MH08P/2017-gonzalez-ruben+4x6.jpg Ruben Gonzales - Ruben Gonzales Inducted 2017 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School College: Texas Christian University and Pan American University Best Known for: Athlete – Track b. August 14, 1934 Gonzales was one of the fastest hurdlers in Texas in the 1950s, and his speed and athleticism earned him a college scholarship. Gonzales advanced to the state meet as a freshman and would run there three times during his career. He finished second in the 200-yard low hurdles in 1951 as a freshman, and played on the 1952 McAllen football team that advanced to the state semifinals. He scored 10 touchdowns and averaged more than seven yards per carry. In track, he competed in the 100-yard dash, low hurdles, 440-yard relay and the long jump, placing in hurdles three times at state. In his senior year, he was one of three runners who broke the national record in the 180-yard low hurdles with a time of 18.8 seconds. He earned a track scholarship to Texas Christian University and lettered one year. After graduation, he served as an educator for 30 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595454143739-BR1G1PLI4H2QKGHGVSYX/2017+Gonzalez%2C+Ruben+1.JPG Ruben Gonzales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595454137855-UZ5HATDBJ1W5HU73CN6C/2017+Gonzalez%2C+Ruben+2.JPG Ruben Gonzales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595454202853-LZ6VGQI69V3ZIO58FH3N/2017+Gonzalez%2C+Ruben+3.JPG Ruben Gonzales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595454188729-9WIWIW9224LZISRBFJV4/2017+Gonzalez%2C+Ruben+family+2.JPG Ruben Gonzales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595454244951-ZIXPBGV3JVVYWMKWJWJS/2017+Gonzalez%2C+Ruben+family.JPG Ruben Gonzales https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595454244806-H1H0CIGV4HSSXUKWME6H/2017+Gonzalez%2C+Ruben.JPG Ruben Gonzales https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-hernandez-frank daily 0.75 2020-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734589749-X14DNO82RIX1JIK0MBBE/2017-Hernandez-Frank+4x6.jpg Frank Hernandez - Frank Hernandez Inducted 2017 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Kansas State University Best Known for: Football Hernandez was an exemplary All-State football wide receiver at Mission High who continued his athletic career at Kansas State University. As a member of the most prolific pass offenses in high school history from 1985-87, Hernandez was an outstanding wide receiver for the Mission High School football team in 1986-1987. He combined with Nati Valdez for 109 catches, 1,523 yards and 164 points in 1986. He was on the receiving end of 98 receptions, 1,757 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns in his senior season, which still stands as a Valley record. Hernandez, who finished his three-year career with 2,723 receiving yards, also earned All-State honors in 1987. Hernandez’s career total of 44 TD receptions still leads the Valley. Mission went 8-3 in 1986 and 11-2 in 1987. Mission High was nationally recognized in 1987 for its explosive offensive productivity with the combination of quarterback Lupe Rodriguez, wide receiver Nati Valdez and Hernandez. He was chosen to play in the North-South All-Star Game. As a compliment to their success, ESPN highlighted their national leading accomplishments as a featured story on “Scholastic Sports America.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595455787286-S9G912EHT5HMMLKFURC6/2017+Hernandez%2C+Frank+1.JPG Frank Hernandez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595455788280-MCOQYGFPXS7RWGFMVDCJ/2017+Hernandez%2C+Frank+2.JPG Frank Hernandez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595455969499-B913WKCIMCOQVM9E98BA/2017+Hernandez%2C+Frank+and+friends.JPG Frank Hernandez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595455954572-JW2J5COFBY554X5HXLS5/2017+Hernandez%2C+Frank+and+Iris.JPG Frank Hernandez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595456116469-QAV2V2O3U5AK4CT3Z7LI/2017+Hernandez%2C+Frank+stage.JPG Frank Hernandez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595456107647-1I28J98GPDN4JBPL75MN/2017+Hernandez%2C+Frank.JPG Frank Hernandez https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-hinojosa-manuel daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734664922-6O9X4W23ZC4VHLJWZT2S/2017-Hinojosa-Manuel+4x6.jpg Manuel Hinojosa - Manuel Hinojosa Inducted 2017 Hometown: Port Isabel High School: Mission High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Sports Historian b. December 6, 1949 Hinojosa goes above and beyond the preservation of Sports history in the Rio Grande Valley. A graduate of Mission High School, he was recently inducted into the International Latin Sports Hall of Fame. However, it is Hinojosa’s artistic abilities have received national recognition. His paintings have not only attracted the likes of Beckett Magazine, who have printed various pieces including Mickey Mantle, David Robinson and Dan Marino, but he also created an impressive sports museum housing many of his autographed paintings collected over the last three decades. Hinojosa’s most renowned work of art is the Tom Landry mural in Mission which was dedicated in 1995 by Coach Landry himself. Hinojosa, alongside his wife and brother, co-owns Doubleday’s Sports Bar and Museum in Port Isabel. The museum exhibits the largest sports memorabilia collection in Texas. The RGV Sports Hall of Fame museum is currently housed at Doubleday’s. Hinojosa has been involved in the RGV Sports Hall of Fame exhibits “Sports Heroes of the Rio Grande Valley” at the Historic Brownsville Museum (October 2014) and the “History of Baseball in the Rio Grande Valley” at The University of Texas-Pan American (2006). He was a selected as a panelist for the McAllen Monitor’s RGV Football’s “100 Greatest” series marking the 100th season of Valley football. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595464353561-4P2NPSYTP7ATC83DB6ZE/2017+Hinojosa%2C+Manuel+1+stage.JPG Manuel Hinojosa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595464352317-BXJAGGG1TVZAFXC29HTH/2017+Hinojosa%2C+Manuel+1.JPG Manuel Hinojosa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595464477103-OFLAV2QJUNH4NCV960OA/2017+Hinojosa%2C+Manuel+family.JPG Manuel Hinojosa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595464437445-WHMFNNMPS5EGV6R5H99P/2017+Hinojosa%2C+Manuel+stage.JPG Manuel Hinojosa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595464513082-B714N6F3Z0FK8ZJUGANC/2017+Hinojosa%2C+Manuel.JPG Manuel Hinojosa https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-lancaster-jim daily 0.75 2020-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734693601-PK8VGOKNB5MS6J5Y04O7/2017-Lancaster-Jim+4x6.jpg Jim Lancaster - Jim Lancaster Inducted 2017 Hometown: San Antonio High School: MacArthur High School College: The University of Texas at Austin, Pan American University Best Known for: Athletic Training Lancaster has been the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at UTPA/UTRGV since 1980. He started as an athletic trainer in high school in San Antonio, then at The University of Texas. After earning his bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 1980 from the University of Texas, Lancaster came to the Rio Grande Valley. He earned his master's degree at Pan American University while serving as the program's full-time head athletic trainer. Lancaster has worked with thousands of student-athletes; worked alongside hundreds of coaches and trained and mentored numerous athletic trainers. Noteworthy among them are Mike Mancias, who works with Lebron James; Joe Resendez, the assistant athletic trainer for the Los Angeles Clippers; and Alfred Castillo, the head athletic trainer at Southeast Missouri State. Many others continue to provide athletic injury care at local high schools here in the Rio Grande Valley. Lancaster also acted as the Medical Coordinator for the National Youth Sports Program, a federally funded program of summer sports activities for local children held on the UTPA campus for 25 years. He is a Licensed Athletic Trainer through the Texas Department of Health and is a BOC Certified member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595464710680-9XE3QPP3C3VBPXTXW0HD/2017+Lancaster%2C+Jim+1.JPG Jim Lancaster https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595464655784-7H4TVXGN85MJ84PE9P6O/2017+Lancaster%2C+Jim+2.JPG Jim Lancaster https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595464733257-U6ZDIUY21KFKTG1G2M48/2017+Lancaster%2C+Jim.JPG Jim Lancaster https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-norris-jim daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734726142-G5H4PD14JUBY57P01C4X/2017-Norris-Jim+4x6.jpg Jim Norris - Jim Norris† Inducted 2017 Hometown: Houston High School: Mercedes High School College: The University of Houston Professional: Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers Best Known for: Football Oct. 14, 1939-Feb. 2, 2020 Norris was a successful football player at Mercedes High School and played in the National Football League. He was born in Houston and moved to Mercedes with his family when he was a toddler. Norris’s career started in sixth grade, when he was declared eligible to play football because of his size. Norris was a four-year letterman in football at Mercedes High School where he graduated in 1959. He also participated in basketball and track. As an offensive and defensive lineman, Norris was part of the undefeated 1958 Mercedes team that reached the state quarterfinals. He was named District 32-AA Most Valuable Player in 1958, and was named second-team all-state as a sophomore and first team as a senior. The Tigers won two playoff games and reached the state quarterfinals, where they lost to West Columbia, 7-6. He also participated in basketball and track in high school. Norris went to The University of Houston on a football scholarship but did not play varsity in his first season in 1958 because of NCAA rules at the time prohibiting freshmen on the varsity roster. He lettered three years on the varsity from 1959-61, and was the starter at right tackle every game during his senior year. He was drafted in the 12th round by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1963 NFL Draft. The upstart American Football League (AFL) Oakland Raiders drafted him in the seventh round by the Oakland Raiders as the 49th pick overall. He played defensive tackle for two years with the Raiders, and was released in 1965 because of an ankle injury. He also played one year with the Houston Oilers in 1965 before an auto accident ended his NFL career. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595469683246-BAZSB9G1BZ96AO2N1CH9/2017+Norris%2C+Jim+1.JPG Jim Norris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595469699735-18QCDKO8CG9EWM8VDY6A/2017+Norris%2C+Jim+2.JPG Jim Norris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595469740323-JIK1DJHTVM3YAJ9I6OXO/2017+Norris%2C+Jim.JPG Jim Norris https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-sepulveda-dempsey-sonia daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734804077-X3JEQYSHYAB7MR74P48Y/2017-Sepulveda-Dempsey-Sonia+4x6.jpg Sonia Sepulveda Dempsey - (Sepulveda) Dempsey, Sonia Inducted 2017 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Baylor University Best Known for: Athlete – Track b. April 23, 1972 Sepulveda had an outstanding track career that included top honors at state meets and four years at the collegiate level. Sepulveda established herself as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in the Valley at Edinburg High, capturing three state championships. With six state championship medals, Sepulveda bears the distinction as one of Texas; most successful female runners. She captured two gold medals at the UIL Class 5A State Track Meet in 1990 in the 800-meter run (2:12.7) and 1,600-meter run (4:58.50). She came back to win gold in the 1991 state meet in the 1,600-meter run (5:05.80). She also placed fourth in the state meet as a sophomore in the 800-meter run. She held a personal best time of 4:54.58 in 1991, and is one of only two Valley runners to break the five-minute barrier in the 1600. The time still stands as a Valley record. Sepulveda continued her track career at Baylor University, where she earned all- Southwest Conference honors. She was a member of Baylor’s 4x800-meter relay team whose best time of 8:51.56 ranks second all-time indoors in Baylor track history. Her personal best in the 5K race at Baylor was 18:05. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595469902086-TTMGDDILPBC6E04UEJPU/2017+Sepulveda+Dempsey%2C+Sonia+1.JPG Sonia Sepulveda Dempsey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595469877190-HP8YKRMPP1VHWIAHWLWO/2017+Sepulveda+Dempsey%2C+Sonia+2.JPG Sonia Sepulveda Dempsey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595469922289-N4GIG4PJAUM2KUOFTOLH/2017+Sepulveda+Dempsey%2C+Sonia+3.JPG Sonia Sepulveda Dempsey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595470383243-GXIEVBD6L38INARF611I/2017+Sepulveda+Dempsey%2C+Sonia.JPG Sonia Sepulveda Dempsey https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-villarreal-tony-jr daily 0.75 2021-05-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734836410-X0S1LRALSPLB2TR4HHCP/2017-Villarreal-Tony-2+4x6.jpg Tony Villarreal Jr. - Tony Villarreal Jr. † Inducted 2017 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Texas A&M University Best Known for: Athlete – Football October 17, 1932-May 9, 2021 Villarreal was the perfect definition of a scat back when he played for the Brownsville High School in the early 1950s. He was one of the fastest runners in the Valley in the 1950s and earned All-America honors for his efforts. The coach for Brownsville High was the legendary Bob Martin, who is also remembered for coaching the great Mission team of the 1940s and was Tom Landry’s coach in 1941. He preferred to use his speed and shifty moves to run around would-be tacklers. He was very good at it, too, as he rushed for 1,010 yards on 99 carries as a 5-foot-6, 135-pound junior halfback in 1951. The previous season, Villarreal led South Texas by scoring 17 touchdowns. His junior season is remembered as his best as the Eagles won the District 8-3A championship and advanced to the state semifinals before finishing with a 10-2 record. Topping 1,000 yards on the ground was quite a feat back then, and Villarreal was named to the Texas Sports Writers Association All-State team and received high school All-American honors. He was also named to the Valley Freedom Newspapers’ All-Millennium team that was announced in 1999. He was not able to play his senior year due to an injury but still earned a chance to play one season at Texas A&M. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595470570730-2J4AE85NPWK1VILZJ85G/2017+Villarreal%2C+Tony+Jr+1.JPG Tony Villarreal Jr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595470588601-ADGJUZSQDSJ98UT6VSHS/2017+Villarreal%2C+Tony+Jr+2.JPG Tony Villarreal Jr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595470621741-9ZTYCQWA86BJQLC31NFA/2017+Villarreal%2C+Tony+Jr.JPG Tony Villarreal Jr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595470628415-9B03W1YHXJHBRMXERGIX/2017+Villarreal%2C+Tony+stage.JPG Tony Villarreal Jr. https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-woods-harlan daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554734861307-8RJIFTH767QL8T03Z08F/2017-Woods-Harlan+4x6.jpg Harlan Woods - Harlan Woods† Inducted 2017 Hometown: San Benito High School: San Benito High School College: Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Sports Journalism January 17, 1931-2019 Woods has been associated with sports writing in the Rio Grande Valley and Texas since he was a junior in high school. One of the early pioneers of Valley media, Woods covered the exploits of Olympian Bobby Morrow and became a leading educator while still keeping one foot firmly planted in the sports writing world. Harlan Woods began his writing career in high school and later became the editor of the school paper at Southwest Texas State University. Down the road, he would work for the San Benito News, Valley Morning Star and The Monitor. Along the way, he started teaching at Mission High School, edited the Mission Progress Times, and in time was named the public information director for the Mission CISD. He covered the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City plus Cotton Bowls and NCAA track and field championships. In 1991, Woods was named the Man of the Year in Mission for a lifetime of hard work and success in the media and the halls of Valley education. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595471015477-147V6NKU6754XZH0S526/2017+Woods%2C+Harlan+1.JPG Harlan Woods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595471006377-CHMWQCG4BZ7YU0WFN95F/2017+Woods%2C+Harlan+and+Zamora%2C+Ronnie.JPG Harlan Woods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595471084967-ZZPDB6H9CD7NNKYCRNT5/2017+Woods%2C+Harlan+family.JPG Harlan Woods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595471072194-HH9JC3YW6FMQ3ONM0QK9/2017+Woods%2C+Harlan+stage+2.JPG Harlan Woods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595471146134-EZHMNC0HJLUBB7RIE33G/2017+Woods%2C+Harlan+stage.JPG Harlan Woods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595471146233-KSFDKYTC0GKJPT3YCE82/2017+Woods%2C+Harlan.JPG Harlan Woods https://www.rgvshof.net/by-hometown daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-cavazos-manuel daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749531115-1WMGIUP9QQ4LESQZZEBN/2016+Cavazos%2C+Meme+4x6.jpg Manuel Cavazos - Manuel “Meme” Cavazos † Inducted 2016 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball December 3, 1924-November 17, 2012 One of the most feared sluggers of the early baseball era in the Valley, Cavazos is the only player ever to clear the left-field wall at Brownsville Charro Park, and once hit .354 with 34 home runs one season for Laredo in the minor leagues. Raised in Mission, Cavazos quit school to help support his family in the Depression, and ended up a semi-pro star with the Mission 30-30 team as an outfielder. He played for the respected McAllen Palms and Edinburg Ginners and when minor league baseball came to the Valley in the 1940s, starred for the Donna Cardinals, McAllen Palms, and Laredo Apaches. A knee injury ended his pro career, but Cavazos still managed two seasons in the Mexican League before rejoining the local semi-pro circuit. The old-timers will tell you: there have been few Valley men who could swat the long ball like Cavazos. https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-colchado-cody daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749560327-VEXY4CBN0Z1W4B0Q7399/2016+Colchado%2C+Cody.jpg Cody Colchado - Cody Colchado Inducted 2016 Hometown: Kingsville High School: Foothills High School, Bakersfield, Calif. Best Known for: Athlete – Powerlifting b. June 14, 1963 Colchado was born hard of hearing in Kingsville but was not diagnosed until he was in the second grade. He was raised in Bakersfield, California where he sustained a football injury in high school in 1980 which cost him his eyesight. He moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 1997 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas-Pan American in 2002 and a Master of Education degree in Kinesiology there in 2005. As a lifetime member of the United States Association of Blind Athletes, Cody is a three-time national champion in track and field, and a 31-time world champion in Powerlifting for the able body and disabled division. He also holds 21 world records in the squat, bench press, deadlift and total for IBSA, IBPP, WABDL, WPA, and USAPL and has earned 12 best lifter awards. In 2012, he was inducted into the World Association Benchers and Deadlifters Hall of Fame. He has represented the U.S. eight times as part of Team USA for the United States Association of Blind Athletes. in 2015, he became the first American to become the Strongman for Disabled Champion at the World Championships in Iceland. Cody has the courage to move on despite the unfortunate circumstances. He cannot hear the applause nor see the weight he's lifting. He is also an embodiment of humanity. “When I lift weights, I visualize all the people with disabilities who I've met over the years. I hear their voices and they lift the bar with me.” https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-detmer-koy daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749586500-B6Q2UC9PWTBJX2Z7LKLY/2016+Detmer%2C+Koy+4x6.jpg Koy Detmer - Koy Detmer Inducted 2016 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: The University of Colorado Professional: Philadelphia Eagles Best Known for: Athlete – Football b. July 5, 1973 Detmer is one of the most successful football players to come out the Rio Grande Valley, playing quarterback in the NFL for 10 years. Detmer is one of the most successful football players to come out the Rio Grande Valley, playing quarterback in the NFL for 10 years. With his father Sonny Detmer as head coach, Koy led Mission to the Class 5A playoffs in 1990 and 1991. The 1990 team lost in the semifinals against eventual state champion Aldine, 54-21. With Detmer at quarterback, Mission High established a state record with 4,892 passing yards for a season in 1990. In 1991, Detmer led the Eagles to the area playoffs, and threw for 522 yards in a loss to Corpus Christi Miller. He was named all-state Offensive Player of the Year in 1991, finishing with 3,695 passing yards and 36 TD's. With 8,221 passing yards, Detmer still holds the record for Valley quarterbacks. Detmer played collegiality at The University of Colorado from 1992-96 and played in 29 games. He completed 350 out of 594 passes for 5,390 yards and set a school record 40 touchdowns. He was a seventh-round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997, and played there for 10 seasons, spending most of his career as a backup to Donovan McNabb. He also played the 2007 season at Minnesota. In 103 NFL games, he completed 184 passes for 1,944 yards with 10 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Detmer, who had been serving as an assistant coach under his father at Somerset for several years, was named in 2016 as new head football coach at his alma mater Mission High School. https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-hess-roy daily 0.75 2020-06-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749656619-BGQIZCLEW22KAMLX107V/2016+Hess%2C+Roy+4x6.jpg Roy Hess - Roy Hess† Inducted 2016 Hometown: Neligh, Neb. High School: Neligh-Oakdale High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Journalist Jan. 9, 1954-May 28, 2020 Hess has covered Valley sports for five decades (since 1978), and is the only person to ever serve as Sports Editor of the Valley’s three main daily newspapers. Mission led the expansion of the Monitor's sports coverage territory from just the McAllen schools to a focus on all teams in Hidalgo County when the Monitor transitioned from an afternoon paper to a morning paper in 1991. He supervised The Monitor's selection and story writing of All-Millennium Valley teams in football and baseball in 2000 and 2001. He is the only sports writer to cover each of the five Valley's state championships in soccer. He is the primary Valley sports writer to cover the rise to national prominence of three Valley professional boxers since 2007, when a bi-weekly boxing notebook was started. Hess was named Region IV sports writer of the year by the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches (TASCO) in 1992, 2005 and 2012. Other awards include UPI first place sports column (1982), AP sports story honorable mention (2005) and AP third place spot sports reporting (2012). https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-marburger-eddie daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749680101-NZMZRPW57OPK9VR544JE/2016+Marburger%2C+Eddie+4x6.jpg Eddie Marburger - Eddie Marburger Inducted 2016 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Texas Lutheran College Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball and Football b. October 14, 1936 Marburger was a graduate of Edinburg High School where he lettered in baseball, football and basketball. As a baseball player, Marburger was named to the All-District team for three years and was All-Valley for two years. He played football for three years and was an All-District player. His 1953 team were district champions and State semi-finalist. Marburger also played basketball for two years. After high school, Eddie attended Texas Lutheran College where in 1959; he earned NAIA Little All-American honors. He was also named to the All-Texas and All-Lutheran teams. He still holds the record for the 2nd and 3rd longest kickoff returns in Texas Lutheran history. He also lettered in baseball, leading his team with a .380 batting average in 1956. In 1958 he led the NAIA in runs scored and stolen bases. He earned a total of eight letters while attending TLC – four in football and four in baseball. https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-ramirez-rey daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749711662-8DI5XZHE6R603CFE8BGL/2016+Ramirez%2C+Rey+4x6.jpg Rey Ramirez - Rey Ramirez Inducted 2016 Hometown: Rio Grande City High School: Rio Grande City High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Athlete – Track b. April 27, 1968 Ramirez was a football and track letterman at Rio Grande City High School, where he graduated in 1986. He was a member of the varsity football and track teams. Ramirez was outstanding sprinter and jumper setting Valley records in the 100-Meter Dash (10.34), 200-Meter Dash (21.13) and the long jump, which he currently holds at 24’ 2 ¼”. As a senior, he won the Gold medal in the 200 Meter Dash (21.3) at the State meet and a Silver medal in the Long Jump (23’3”). That spring he was selected to the Junior National Olympic Team which traveled and competed in Seoul, South Korea. After high school, he received a track and field scholarship to The University of Texas. He competed in the 200-Meter Dash, 400-Meter Dash, Long Jump, Sprint Relay and Mile Relay, earning All-American and All-Conference honors. In 1991 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree and returned to Rio Grande City to begin his coaching career. https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-salinas-de-la-cruz-maggie daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749737214-EU81XBYKK0Y2YRV5KAV2/2016+Salinas+de+la+Cruz%2C+Maggie+4x6.jpg Maggie Salinas de la Cruz - Maggie (Salinas) de la Cruz Inducted 2016 Hometown: Alamo High School: PSJA High School College: The University of Texas Best Known for: Athlete – Track b. February 21, 1963 Salinas is considered one of the greatest middle-distance runners ever to come from the Valley. She made a case to be considered one of the best in Texas in 1981 when the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School great established the Class 5A state record in the 800-meter run at the state track and field meet as a junior. Her record time of 2:08.5 stood for more than 20 years and it remains a Valley record to his day. Salinas captured her first state crown as a sophomore and ranked eighth in the nation that year as she went undefeated in 12 races. Salinas also managed to finish in second place at the state cross country meet that year. Salinas’ undefeated streak came to an end as a senior when she finished third at the state meet. Salinas signed with The University of Texas and went on to an outstanding collegiate career in the Southwest Conference. https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-woods-becky daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749765524-U8X739UX8THQWPJUGTTF/2016+Woods%2C+Becky+4x6.jpg Becky Woods - Becky Woods Inducted 2016 Hometown: Osceola, Iowa High School: Clark Community High School (Iowa) College: Graceland University (Iowa) Best Known for: Coaching Volleyball b. July 17, 1961 Woods made her mark as the winningest volleyball coach in Rio Grande Valley history. She participated in basketball, softball and track and field for four years at Clark Community High School, and played volleyball when the program started in her senior year. After graduating in 1979, she received a basketball and track scholarship to nearby Graceland University, where she also played field hockey and softball for four years until her graduation in 1983. After a semester in Nursing, she returned to receive a Health and Physical Education degree. Woods moved to the Valley in 1986 to become a physical education teacher and head volleyball coach at Los Fresnos High School. She joined the 700-victory club in 2019 and retired in January 2021. In 36 years coaching the Lady Falcons, she amassed a won-loss record of 738-365, a winning percentage of .669. Her teams won 15 district championships and appeared in the playoffs 16 times during that span. She has captured 15 bi-district titles, eight area titles, took the Lady Falcons to the regional tournament five times. Woods received 13 District Coach of the Year awards, and numerous coaching recognitions by Valley newspapers. She also started the Lady Falcons’ softball program in 1994, and coached for three years, advancing to the playoffs in 1996. Woods implemented the middle school softball program in the Los Fresnos CISD. She also served as the Assistant Swim Coach, helping the boys’ team to six straight district titles. From 2002-04, she also served as the Los Fresnos CISD Athletics Director. https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-wright-bobby-jack daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554749801398-9B1LZOE1R4MCOE17M00H/2016+Wright%2C+Bobby+Jack+4x6.jpg Bobby Jack Wright - Bobby Jack Wright Inducted 2016 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Coaching – Football b. December 11, 1950 A native of Mission, Wright coached at the high school level for five years, was an assistant coach at two high schools and head coach at one. He played three seasons at Southwest Texas State from 1970-72 before graduating in 1973. He had a successful career as a collegiate assistant coach at The University of Texas and at Oklahoma University. Wright began his 42-year coaching career in the Texas high school ranks. He entered the collegiate world with Texas A&I University in 1979, then served as an assistant at North Texas State University from 1983-85, the University of Texas from 1986-97 and The University of Oklahoma from 1999-2015. He coached 21 bowl games during his illustrious career, including 16 with the Sooners. Among many honors earned during his career, he received the Merv Johnson Integrity in Coaching Award in 2013. He has coached Zack Sanchez, who earned Freshman All-America accolades in 2013 at OU. wide receiver Mike Adams, who set every school single-season receiving record at Texas, and Longhorns’ kicker Phil Dawson, whose has been in the NFL for 16 seasons. He retired in January 2015. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-barker-tommy daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576641738694-ZC29HKJI46MSL9TYY0D7/2015+Barker%2C+Tonmy.jpg Tommy Barker - Tommy Barker Hometown: Weslaco High School: Weslaco High School College: The University of Minnesota, The University of Southern Idaho, The University of Hawaii Professional: Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets Best Known for: Athlete – Basketball b. March 11, 1955 Barker is the only person born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley to play in the National Basketball Association. He is also the best high school basketball player the Valley has ever seen. He was born in Harlingen and raised in Weslaco. At 6-foot-10 as a junior for Weslaco High School in 1971, he averaged 25 points per game. As a senior in 1972, he was 6-foot-11 and averaged 32 points per game. Barker was a three-time All-State selection who paced the Panthers to great success. His team's memorable duels with Chuy Guerra's Roma Gladiators will always be recalled. Barker played collegiately at The University of Minnesota as a freshman, The University of Southern Idaho as a sophomore and The University of Hawaii for his junior and senior seasons. Drafted in the fourth round in 1976 by the Atlanta Hawks, Barker competed at the highest level for four seasons with four teams, and then spent five years overseas playing in Italy and the Netherlands. His best NBA season came in 1977-78 with the Hawks when he averaged 8 points per game in 59 contests. He also played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets. Barker is the only person born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley who has played in the NBA. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-garcia-alonso-knot daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576641780942-97AE7EPEFW19PH83J7KT/2015+Garcia%2C+Knot.jpg Alonso "Knot" Garcia - Alonso “Knot” Garcia † Inducted 2015 Hometown: Encino, Texas High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American College Professional: Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Monterrey Sultans Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball Garcia enjoyed a career that included playing collegiate and professional baseball. After graduating from Edinburg High School in 1962, he started his two-year career as a shortstop for the Pan American University team that started a 26-year run of winning seasons for the Broncs in the NAIA and NCAA. He played a big role in leading the Broncs to the NAIA District 8 championship in 1964, making the team’s first postseason appearance in baseball. He was then signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, and immediately went to the Salem Rebels in the Rookie League, where he batted .241 with two homers in 71 games. He played briefly for the Monterrey Sultanes in the Mexican League before the Pirates recalled him to play at Class A Batavia. He returned to the Mexican League and started the 1966 with Monterrey when he was drafted into the U.S. Army that year. Garcia spent 18 months in Vietnam and earned the National Defense Medal, the Sharpshooter (Rifle M-14) Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. He returned home in 1968 and played eight seasons at the AAA level. After his baseball career ended in 1975, he coached American Legion Baseball in Edinburg. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-garcia-juan-de-dios daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576641814521-2PXGHDMQOR0KRU482TTM/2015+Garcia%2C+Juan+de+Dios+4x6.jpg Juan de Dios Garcia - Juan de Dios Garcia Inducted 2015 Hometown: Matamoros, Tamps., Mexico High School: Brownsville High School College: Pan American University at Brownsville Best Known for: Coaching – Soccer b. March 8, 1954 Juan de Dios Garcia is considered by soccer aficionados as the Father of Soccer in the Rio Grande Valley. He grew up in Matamoros playing soccer in the early 1960s. After graduating from Brownsville High School in 1974, he played on multiple all-star teams in Texas and Mexico in the 1970s. He realized that he needed to finish college, and did so in 1982 at Pan American University at Brownsville. The UIL approved soccer as a new sport in 1982, and Garcia was there to serve as the first head coach at Brownsville Hanna that year. He stayed 30 years as boys’ soccer coach there, which was the longest-tenured soccer coach in the Rio Grande Valley in any sport at the time. His career record was 437-206-66, a winning percentage of .663. He took the Eagles to the playoffs 20 out of the 30 years, and took seven Hanna teams to the regional tournament, including five straight times from 1999 to 2003. Hanna’s 1-0 victory over previously undefeated San Antonio MacArthur in the 1990 regional final marked the first time that a Valley boys’ soccer team advanced to the state tournament. Those 1990 Eagles lost in the semifinals to Tyler Lee, 4-3, in a marathon 22-player shootout. Several of Garcia’s former players are now successful coaches, including Rev Hernandez of Sharyland, Salvador Garcia of Rivera and Amadeo Escandon of Lopez. After retirement, he served as a volunteer assistant coach for the UTB/TSC women’s soccer team from 2007 to 2010. Garcia was inducted into the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Hall of Honor in 2012. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-hees-harold daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576641846249-D2KJ1W0SG3LXXF8TEZY9/2015+Hees%2C+Harold+4x6.jpg Harold Hees - Harold Hees† Inducted 2015 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Football July 13, 1937-May 21, 2020 Hees was an elusive running back at Harlingen High in the mid-1950s, earning All-State honorable mention honors, and had a successful career as a running back at Texas A&I University, where he earned Honorable Mention Little America honors for the Javelinas. Hees was a bruising running back for the Cardinals, and was among the Valley leaders in touchdowns scored. He was a three-year letterman from 1953-55 and was a Cardinal tri-caption his senior year. Hees made first team All-District his senior year after making second team as a junior. He led District 8-AAA in scoring, including a last-second touchdown against San Benito. At Texas A&I, Hees lettered three years as a fullback in football. As a sophomore, he was of the team’s leading scorers and rushers. As a junior, he made the All-Lone Star Conference team as the Javelinas won their first-ever LSC championship and NAIA national title. Hees was a best in the clutch scoring touchdowns in both playoff games. He was all-LSC twice. He was also All-Texas College and was on the Associated Press Little All-America honorable mention list. The 1959 team captured the first of seven Javelina national titles and gained the campus nation-wide attention when the title game was aired on CBS television. Hees was inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame in 1982. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-pena-jaime daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576641887640-1LTHUGWBLTJ5C8VC2O4C/2015+Pena%2C+Jaime+4x6.jpg Jaime Pena - Jaime Peña Inducted 2015 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: New Mexico State University Best Known for: Athlete – Basketball Peña had great success on the basketball floor at Mission High School and New Mexico State University, and was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. Peña was named Valley Freedom Newspapers Player of the Year in 1978, leading Mission to three straight District 28-4A championships under Coach Roy Garcia. As a 6-foot-7 postman, the Eagles were unbeaten in district during Pena’s first two years and lost only one in his senior year, as Mission went 51-1 in district during the Peña era. The Eagles went 32-5 in 1978 and Peña was named to the All-State team and played in the 1978 Texas High School Basketball Classic. Peña played two seasons at Lon Morris Junior College and transferred to New Mexico State, where he scored almost 1,000 points in two years. As a junior and now 6-foot-8, he was Newcomer of the Year in 1980-81. He averaged 18.1 points to lead the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring. He also averaged 6.9 rebounds per game. As a senior, he averaged 17.5 points and 6.5 points per game. He was named All-MVC first team and MVP. Peña was drafted in the sixth round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs but never played for the team. He played professionally with CAI Zaragoza (Spain) in the European League, and in Puerto Rico and Mexico. He later joined the Mexico Olympic team. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-ramirez-aaron daily 0.75 2019-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576641935101-3WGA8DYMY1A2Y7ZWPEVW/2015+Ramirez%2C+Aaron+4x6.jpg Aaron Ramirez - Aaron Ramirez Inducted 2015 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Texas A&M University and The University of Arizona Best Known for: Long Distance Running Ramirez was not just one of the best long-distance runners in the Rio Grande Valley or the state of Texas. He established himself as one of the best in the nation during his era. His specialty was distance running, and his time of 9:07.18 in the 3,200-meter run in 1982 haw stood as a Valley record for 33 years. After graduating from Mission High School, Ramirez signed with Texas A&M University but transferred after one year to The University of Arizona. At Arizona, he set the collegiate distance running world on fire from 1984-87. He won the Pacific-10 and District 8 Cross Country championship to qualify for the NCAA Men’s Cross-Country Championships. There, Ramirez won the 10,000-meter run with a time of 30:27.53. He ended his collegiate career by winning the Pac-10 and District 8 titles. He finished his career at Arizona ranked in the Top 10 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, 5,000-meter run and 10,000-meter run. Ramirez was a finalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials, and was a member of the U.S. team at the World Cross Country Championships in 1989, 1990 and 1991. At the 1992 Olympic Trials, Ramirez qualified in the 10,000-meter run to earn a trip the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. At the Games, he finished in 13th place in his heat with a time of 29:00.12. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-rodriguez-lupe daily 0.75 2019-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576641966276-WKZ2ML9HI3BQ9AW5JE6F/2015+Rodriguez%2C+Lupe+4x6.jpg Lupe Rodriguez - Lupe Rodriguez Inducted 2015 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Stephen F. Austin University and Texas A&I University Best Known for: Football Rodriguez was the leader behind the team that revolutionized offenses in the Valley in the 1980s. Mission was the first Valley team to use the shotgun formation exclusively and used a pass-first philosophy to move the chains. In his junior year in 1986, Rodriguez passed for 2,738 yards and 33 touchdowns, falling just eight yards short of the state passing title. Mission qualified for the state playoffs for the first time since 1968. In the bi-district playoff, the Eagles went against Harlingen, a team Mission had not defeated since 1941. Rodriguez completed 26 or 41 passes for 422 yards and six touchdowns in the 54-7 win over Harlingen witnessed by 18,000 fans. In his senior year in 1987, Rodriguez’s 4,179 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes still stand as Valley’s single-season records. The passing yard mark was the best in the nation at the time. His top two targets – Nati Valdez and Frank Hernandez – ranked 2-3 nationally with 104 and 98 catches, respectively. Rodriguez still holds five Valley-best marks including career TD passes with 83, single-season pass attempts with 445. He finished his two-year career with 6,917 yards. He held three national records at the time: the single-season passing mark, the single-season TD mark and the single-game touchdown pass record with seven. He was the 1987 Class 5A All-State Offensive Player of the Year. Rodriguez signed with Stephen F. Austin and later transferred to Texas A&I University. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-siebert-banks-stacey daily 0.75 2019-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576641996472-SEC6DA72NYOG15EQN328/2015+Siebert-Banks%2C+Stacey+4x6.jpg Stacey Siebert Banks - Stacey Siebert Banks Inducted 2015 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Texas Tech University Best Known for: Basketball Siebert is perhaps the most successful female basketball player to come out of the Rio Grande Valley to star in high school and in the collegiate ranks. At Harlingen High, Siebert terrorized opponents, leading the Lady Cardinals to the 1986 District 32-5A championship. She averaged 23.1 points per game as a senior and finished her three-year career with 1,499 points and 843 rebounds. She was named first team All-District and first team All-Valley. After graduating from HHS in 1968, Siebert earned a scholarship to Texas Tech University where she played four years. Between her freshman and sophomore seasons, Siebert was selected to play in the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival team. At Tech, she earned second team All-Southwest Conference honors in 1989 and 1990, and was on the SWC Classic All-Tournament team both years as well. She finished her career at Tech with 1,315 points, 154 blocked shots (fifth all-time), and 10.4 rebounds per game (fourth all-time). She is ranked in the Top 10 at Tech with free throws attempted and made. Her career-high rebounding mark came in 1989 when she pulled down 23 boards against Texas A&M. She was chosen MVP by her teammates in 1989. Tech had winning records each year Siebert was there under legendary Coach Marsha Sharp, who won a national championship in 1993 with Sheryl Swoopes. During Siebert’s four years from 1987-90, the Lady Raiders went 18-11, 17-13, 16-13 and 20-11, respectively. https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-valdez-nati daily 0.75 2019-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576642025008-QARNM27N7P0XL2KN3L0D/2015+Valdez%2C+Nati+4x6.jpg Nati Valdez - Nati Valdez Inducted 2015 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Brigham Young University Best Known for: Football Valdez was one of the most outstanding wide receivers the Rio Grande Valley has ever seen. He played at Mission High from 1986-88, become a starter since the fifth game of his sophomore year. In his senior season, Mission won its first district championship in 20 years, Valdez holds three Valley receiving records. His 104 receptions during his junior was a state record at the time and remains a Valley’s record. Valdez finished with a three-year total of 252 catches, which ranks fifth all-time in Texas. At the time, it was a national record. His 3,726 receiving yards is still a Valley record, and he scored 37 touchdowns in his career as an Eagle. During his senior year, Mission played only eight regular season games, yet Valdez caught 70 passes for 987 yards despite playing hurt most of the year. He was double-teamed by many teams, who knew they had to stop him, although few could. Valdez ran his routes well and had good communication with his quarterbacks. Opposing coaches found it difficult to defend him. Valdez was chosen to the Class 5A All-State team, a first-team selection to the Valley’s All-Millennium team, and was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Aside from lettering three times in football, he was also a three-year letterman in baseball, twice in basketball and once in track. He played collegiately at Brigham Young University, where had three touchdown catches in his sophomore and junior seasons. https://www.rgvshof.net/2014-araguz-leo daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578432671368-OJT0K1FJ7BDJ9PB5S1BQ/2014+Araguz%2C+Leo.jpg Leo Araguz - Leo Araguz Inducted 2014 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Stephen F. Austin University Best Known for: Football b. January 18, 1970 Araguz was a standout athlete at Harlingen High School in football, and also played soccer with the Cardinals. He graduated in 1989 and received a scholarship to Stephen F. Austin University. As a junior in 1992, Araguz led the Southland Conference and NCAA Division II in punting average with a 42.6-yard average. He was a four-year letterman and a three-time All-Southland Conference selection. He played seven years in the NFL. Araguz was a member of the Oakland Raiders from 1996 to 1999, the Detroit Lions in 2001, the Minnesota Vikings in 2003, and the Seattle Seahawks in 2003. He also played with the New York/New Jersey Hitmen in the XFL. He holds the distinction of having the most punts in an NFL game, with 16 for 709 yards with the Oakland Raiders in 1998. Araguz finished with 322 punts in the NFL with a 42.6-yard average. https://www.rgvshof.net/2014-clark-nancy daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578452959970-TRFMME5WT3DKS886OF8W/2014+Clark%2C+Nancy.jpg Nancy Clark - Nancy Clark Inducted 2014 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Athlete – Tennis At age 14, Clark entered three different age-group competitions at a tennis tournament and on all three, showing that she was going to something special. Clark was a superstar at Harlingen High who later became the No. 1 seed at The University for three years. In junior high, Clark was too good for her age level and ended up traveling with the Cardinal varsity. Upon reaching high school she dominated the Valley consistently, ranking No. 1 for two years, winning the state title in 1964 and advancing far in the brackets as a doubles player. She was a state champion in doubles with teammate Pam Riepen. At The University of Texas, Clark was the top player for three years. In 1970, she was undefeated in doubles with partner Royce Ann Marshall. Unbeaten again in 1971, Clark finished her college days on a high note. Upon graduation from Texas, Clark continued to win championships in open tournaments statewide, including the Texas Open Women’s Doubles state championship. https://www.rgvshof.net/2014-gomez-jesse daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578453119071-3NF5PMX96OS0D96NKA83/2014+Gomez%2C+Jesse.jpg Jesse Gomez - Jesse Gomez † Inducted 2014 Hometown: Raymondville High School: Raymondville High School College: Texas Southmost College Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball d. March 27, 2017 Gomez was one of the finest baseball players that the Valley produced in the 1950s. His services as a pitcher were in high demand for decades. He was a superb all-around athlete in the Raymondville High School Class of 1949, playing quarterback for three seasons and making all-district twice. He also pitched for the Bearkat baseball team and later played football at Texas Southmost College. Gomez was everywhere in the 1950s, playing for semi-pro teams in Corpus Christi and the Valley, even taking a turn in Guadalajara with the Mexican semi-pro league. In 1951, he was the start pitcher or the Pearl Beer team and eventually became player-manager for the Edinburg Ginners, one of the Valley’s best teams. Gomez mowed down opponents with abandon in the 1950s, leading the Ginners for the mound and also serving as a player-manager for several seasons. Later, he transitioned to become a football official, but is best known as a legendary pitcher of the 1950s during a time when baseball in the Valley was king. https://www.rgvshof.net/2014-hallbeck-vernon daily 0.75 2021-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578453296269-2ALCBPIUE23TSAVHLNY3/2014+Hallbeck%2C+Vernon.jpg Vernon Hallbeck - Vernon Hallbeck † Inducted 2014 Hometown: San Benito High School: San Benito High School College: Texas Christian University Best Known for: Football October 12, 1933-August 6, 2011 Hallbeck was a star for San Benito High School in an era when the Valley sent dozens of football players to the Southwest Conference. Hallbeck played guard and linebacker, and was a teammate of Olympic hero Bobby Morrow. He also competed for the basketball team, helping the Greyhounds to the district title in 1952. San Benito football went 21-3 over a two-year period and lost to eventual state champion San Antonio Alamo Heights in the playoffs. Earning a spot on the Texas Christian University football team, Hallbeck started both ways. His punishing running and blocking from the fullback position paved the way to the Cotton Bowl for the Horned Frogs after they won the SWC title in 1955. Hallbeck opened the holes for All-American Jim Swing for the 1955 Frogs team that went 9-1 and rushed for 164 yards in 1956. Hallbeck played one season for Calgary in the Canadian Football League in 1957 worked as an assistant coach at TCU from 1958-63. Hallbeck was honored with induction into the TCU Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. https://www.rgvshof.net/2014-hinojosa-herbie daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578453433903-N9433C1MFI7TUQIPPSRG/2014+Hinojosa%2C+Herbie.jpg Herbie Hinojosa - Herbie Hinojosa† Inducted 2014 Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Horse Racing Aug. 11, 1936-Dec. 15, 2019 Hinojosa rode from obscurity and hard times into the bright lights, becoming a famous jockey whose story was finally chronicled in 2013 in the San Antonio Express-News. He was born in 1936 to a migrant family of eight in El Ranchito, a colonia near Brownsville, and started racing horses at the age of 8. Hinojosa raced in northern Mexico as a youth before moving to New Mexico and working his way onto the pro circuit. He rode his first winner in a pari-mutuel event in 1954. Over the next 40 years, Hinojosa became a competitor against greats such as Willie Shoemaker and Eddie Alcaro. Hinojosa was sixth in total wins in 1961 and 1962 and finished among the top 20 money winners five times as a pro. He piloted Neopolitan Way to a second place in the 1974 Preakness, behind winner Little Current and one spot ahead of that year’s Kentucky Derby winner Cannonade. He also rode two fifth-place horses at the Belmont Stakes during his career and finished fourth in a 1978 race behind Affirmed the last Triple Crown winner in 1978. He rode horses in races 25,160 times. He won 3,334 times, came in second 3,349 times and third 3,246 times. Hinojosa, who moved back to Brownsville in 2001, compiled total earnings from his career as a jockey of $17,962,176. https://www.rgvshof.net/2014-lambert-gerald daily 0.75 2021-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578453564016-WS1INBE1OFN7Q8LZP6FB/2014+Lambert%2C+Gerald.jpg Gerald Lambert - Gerald Lambert † Inducted 2014 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Football (December 18, 1936-February 18, 2017) Lambert was one or the greatest linemen in Valley history. He was Little American in college and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1960. Lambert started three years as a guard at McAllen High, graduating in 1963. The Bulldogs advanced to the Class AAA state semifinals in 1952 and 1954, beating region powers San Antonio Edison (1952) and Alamo Heights (1954) to advance to the semis. He was named as the District 8-AAA Outstanding Player and was selected First Team All-State in 1954. At Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville), he was an Associated Press Little All-American and received NAIA All-America honors. Lambert was a key cog in the 1959 Javelina team that won the 1959 NAIA national championship and Lone Star Conference title, and was named outstanding lineman in both the semifinals and title game. Together with teammates and RGVSHOF inductees Willie Crafts and Jesse Longhofer, the Javs went 12-1. Lambert was induced into the Javelina Hall of Fame in 1975. Lambert played in the All-American Bowl in Tucson after his senior season and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 11th round in 1960 AFL Draft. https://www.rgvshof.net/2014-olvera-johnny daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578398607857-3MF1PN4RGOZ5YVN6D9ZY/2014%2C+Olvera%2C+Johnny.jpg Johnny Olvera - Johnny Olvera Inducted 2014 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball and Football b. June 24, 1954 One of the most coveted schoolboy athletes in Brownsville history, Olvera became a two-sport standout for the Eagles who eventually played for a national champion baseball team at The University of Texas. Olvera, nicknamed “Johnny O,” was a well-known Little League legend who would make All-District four times in high school in baseball and football. The back with blazing speed rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore on the great 1969 Brownsville High team that won the bi-district title over Corpus Christi Miller, 25-15. He ended his football days as an All-District defensive back. In baseball, he led the Eagles to two playoff trips as a pitcher-outfielder who led the district in hitting twice and was a tremendous defensive gem. His BHS batting average was .330. Olvera earned a scholarship from Coach Cliff Gustafson at Texas. Olvera worked his way into the starting lineup as a senior for the ‘Horns and was among team leaders in stolen bases and runs scored in 1976. The Longhorns played in the NCAA Regionals and lost to Oklahoma in the region finals, barely missing out on the College World Series. https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-allen-alexander-luann daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578627191982-QJA0XPOUS8EELHDGKV8P/2013+Alexander+LuAnn.jpeg LuAnn (Allen) Alexander - LuAnn (Allen) Alexander† Inducted 2013 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coaching – Tennis Aug. 22, 1934-Aug. 23, 2018 Alexander’s name is legendary in the Rio Grande Valley and Edinburg tennis communities. Alexander began her tennis in 1946 at the age of eleven while playing on the courts for the Edinburg recreational program. Alexander, who graduated from Edinburg High School in 1951, began her collegiate career at Pan American College in the fall of 1952. She was a member of the women's tennis team that garnered the 1952-53 Big State Conference Championship. Alexander later coached at Edinburg CISD for 42 years at the junior high and varsity level. She retired in 2000 but continued to organize tournaments for USTA, high school, and junior high programs throughout the Valley. The Edinburg Daily Review named her Woman of the Year in 1974. In 1995, she was inducted into the Texas Coaches Association Hall of Fame. UTPA selected her to the school's Hall of Fame Class of 2011. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1596405574305-PGH0F1N6CH4ZFZG24QVQ/2013+Alexander%2C+LuAnn.jpg LuAnn (Allen) Alexander https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-ausmus-don daily 0.75 2020-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629461410-M659OV6V7P71HD9NSP2W/2013+Ausmus%2C+Don.png Don Ausmus - Don Ausmus Inducted 2013 High School: McAllen High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Track and Field, Bodybuilding Ausmus played football and competed in track and field for the McAllen High School, where he graduated in 1971. He captured the Class 4A (now 6A) state championship in the shot put 62 feet, 0.5 inches his senior season. He lettered at the University of Texas in 1972 and 1973. Ausmus then concentrated on bodybuilding where he enjoyed a successful career competing on the national circuit between 1977 and 1982. He was 1977 Mr. Texas AAU, 2nd; 1978 Mr. Texas 1st and Mr. America, AAU, Medium, 11th; 1981 Mr. America, AAU, Heavyweight, 3rd; Junior Mr. America, AAU Heavyweight, 3rd; 1982 Junior Nationals, NPC, Heavyweight, 3rd. Back in the Valley at the end of his bodybuilding career, Ausmus also enjoyed a 26-year stint as a Division I High School Football Official and a member of the RGV Chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials. In 2000, Ausmus was selected to the Freedom Newspapers All-Millennium RGV Track and Field Team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1596405415696-1SEZAOT0XYNXPQ2D5UXR/2013+Ausmus%2C+Don.jpg Don Ausmus https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-caldwell-earl daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629512988-JNQUTUI7K2OIJ8X1CQ5I/2013+Caldwell%2C+Earl.png Earl Caldwell - Earl Caldwell† Inducted 2013 Hometown: Holland, Texas High School: Holland High School College: Thorpe Spring College Best Known for: Baseball April 9, 1905-Sept. 15, 1981 Caldwell was a major league pitcher who played with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox during a major and minor league career that spanned 29 seasons from 1926-54. Caldwell graduated from Holland High School in 1922 and Thorpe Spring College in 1924. He joined the Waco Cubs of the Texas League in 1926 and went up to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1928 where he won his first major league game. He first came to the Valley in 1928 to work and moved to the Valley in the early 1930s, calling it home for more than 50 years. His baseball playing included playing for Valley semi-pro teams during the 1930s and 1940s both before and after the professional baseball season. Caldwell's career record boasted 323 wins in the minor and major leagues combined. In 1946, Caldwell posted a 13-4 record with the Chicago White Sox, had a 2.07 ERA, and finished 13th in the American League MVP voting won by Ted Williams that year. He played two more years for the White Sox before joining the Boston Red Sox in 1948 in a trade to beef-up their relief staff for a pennant run that came up one game short of the World Series, a World Series that would have paired them against their cross-town rival, the Boston Braves. After playing for Boston's Triple-A Birmingham Barons in 1949 and 1950, he joined the Harlingen Capitals in 1951, winning 39 games in two seasons. He finished his professional baseball career in 1954 at the age of 49. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1596405139449-N81N030Y0QGJOLR7F6SS/2013+Caldwell%2C+Earl.jpg Earl Caldwell https://www.rgvshof.net/2009-bazan-pete daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975123609-HI4FBWRCV1WAPDVYTFP5/2009+Bazan%2C+Pete+4x6.jpg Pete Bazan - Pete Bazan Inducted 2009 Hometown: Pharr High School: P-SJ-A High School College: Central Arizona College Professional: Chicago Cubs AAA organization, Mexican League September 20, 1958- Bazan played 274 games in the minor leagues and played AAA ball in parts of two seasons. A left-handed swinger who starred for PSJA High School in 1977, Bazan was a minor league teammate of several future major leaguers from 1979 to 1982, including future American League MVP Willie Hernandez. Bazan was a three-time All-District player for the Bears and two-time All-Conference selection at Central Arizona College. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs on the 6th round in 1979 and played at the highest level of the minors with Class AAA Wichita and Iowa. After his American minor league career, the Valley native became an All-Star in the Mexican League. In 10 seasons as a pro, Bazan compiled a gaudy .309 career batting average. He drove in 46 runs for Salinas (California League) in 1982. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047712239-V104AZA3EI8LXFZXI5SJ/Bazan%2C+Pete.jpg Pete Bazan https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-green-marshall-buddy daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578455058941-WLZ1YUITJBX99OPZRTUR/2013+Green%2C+Buddy+2x3.jpg Marshall "Buddy" Green - Marshall “Buddy” Green † Inducted 2013 Hometown: New York City, New York College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Sports Journalism d. Feb. 22, 2009 One of the greats of the print media in the Valley, Green came from New York City in the 1970s and carved out a niche as a hard-working scribe who truly cared about children. Green attended Texas A&I University in the mid-1970s, working for the Kingsville Daily Record and eventually moving to Harlingen. He became a popular reporter for The Valley Morning Star and inherited the sports editor role in the 1990s. Green was a caustic wit who loved a practical joke, which made him the toast of his media peers. His knowledge and love for old baseball – especially the Minnesota Twins of the 1960s and the New York Mets of the 1980s – was legendary. Green was a sports historian and once contributed a well-regarded chapter to a book on high school football. He went the extra mile to cover any event in town, specializing in football, track, and later, racing at the dog track. Following in the footsteps of mentor Tom Drew, Green became the voice of Valley sports with his dedication to the craft and enjoyment of sports large and small. After Harlingen High School split into two schools in 1995 and Harlingen South High School was created, Green decided to a coin the “Bird Bowl” phrase into competitions between the two schools that is still known today. He was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Rio Grande Valley Track Coaches Association. https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-henson-robert-bob daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629875933-81ZPX678ILO0DOQK3ZD5/2013+Henson%2C+Bob.png Bob Henson - Robert “Bob” Henson Inducted 2013 Hometown: Elsa High School: Edcouch-Elsa High School College: Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Athlete – Basketball Henson has been a winner all the way. He became the first Edcouch-Elsa High School athlete to make it to a state event when he participated in tennis in 1958. Henson played basketball, tennis and football for the Yellowjackets, leading the E-E basketball team to its first district title and averaging 23 points per game. He was a tennis No. 1 player for four years and advanced to the state semifinals as a senior. In basketball, he led the Yellowjackets to the its first district and bi-district titles while averaging 23 points per game over the last two-thirds of the season. In college, Henson was a member of the Southwest Texas State University NAIA national champion in 1960 and averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds as a Bobcat, making honorable mention All-America in 1962. Henson was a first team All-Lone Star Conference and honorable mention. He averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds, leading the team in both free throw and field goal accuracy. Also a No. 1 in tennis at SWT three years running, Henson was named to the SWT Hall of Honor in 2006, joining four others from that era. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1596405713520-TG3NUT448E4SRAM74PV0/2013+Henson%2C+Bob.jpg Bob Henson https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-jackson-johnnie daily 0.75 2020-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629565642-TMH9XADMD7U9OSW8C0WM/2013+Jackson%2C+Johnnie.png Johnnie Jackson - Johnnie Jackson Inducted 2013 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: University of Houston Professional Sports: San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers Best Known for: Football Jackson was one of the best athletes to come out of Harlingen High School and the Rio Grande Valley. In football, Jackson played in the secondary, quarterback and some running back, establishing incredible versatility and showing that he had the physical skills to play at the next level. He was named to the Rio Grande Valley Freedom Newspapers' All-Millennium high school football team in the secondary. A 1984 Harlingen Cardinal graduate, Jackson was an amazing baseball player in the youth leagues and was an integral part of the Cardinal baseball team. He also participated in basketball and competed on the track and field team. He accepted a football scholarship to the University of Houston. Among his accomplishments at Houston, Jackson once returned three interceptions for touchdowns against the University of Texas, an NCAA record that many never be surpassed. He was a fifth-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1989 draft and started for San Francisco when they beat Denver (55-10) in the Super Bowl that season. Jackson played for the 49ers between 1989-92, and also spent part of the 1992 season with the Green Bay Packers. He made three interceptions and played in 55 NFL games. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1596405242770-RSZPFXUMJJYDN6VRL03I/2013+Jackson%2C+Johnnie.jpg Johnnie Jackson https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-lopez-carlos daily 0.75 2020-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629603510-I1LQ8MQ5Y85Z64N9IS0B/2013+Lopez%2C+Carlos.jpg Carlos Lopez - Carlos Lopez Inducted 2013 Hometown: San Isidro High School: San Isidro High School College: The University of Houston Best Known for: Football Lopez followed a brilliant high school football career in San Isidro High School with a four-year stint at The University of Houston as a kicker. At San Isidro, Lopez was a three-year letterman, and was all-district for three years. He was an all-district and all-state running back in 1966, scoring 108 points including 16 touchdowns. Lopez led the Valley in scoring and punting in 1966 and rushed for 1,300 yards on 170 attempts for an average of 7.1 yards per attempt. He was also all-district in basketball, baseball and track. and was named a Second Team All-Millennium punter by Valley Freedom Newspapers. As a senior, he was invited to play in the Texas High School All-Star game, a rare honor for a player from a school competing in the lowest classification. He went on to attend The University of Houston, where he played four years for exciting Cougar teams under Coach Bill Yeoman. He lettered in 1969 and 1970, and was an integral part of the Cougars' 9-2 team in 1969 that beat Auburn in the Bluebonnet Bowl, 36-7. He led Houston with most field goals in 1969. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1596405340063-RNXWEZVWMTJT0UNHMYVP/2013+Lopez%2C+Carlos.jpg Carlos Lopez https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-sanchez-paredes-patsy daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629838521-4RJTV2BYJNS9S8QUK6PD/2013+Sanchez+Paredes%2C+Patsy.png Patsy (Sanchez) Paredes - Patsy (Sanchez) Paredes Inducted 2013 Hometown: San Benito High School: San Benito High School College: Pan American University Best known for: Athlete-Track b. August 19, 1964 Sanchez was one of the fastest female track athletes to set foot on a Valley track. She was the outstanding AAU athlete in 1978 and launched a brilliant run at San Benito High School, qualifying for regionals in the 100-yard and 200-yard dash three years in a row starting in 1979. She was a state alternate in the 200 in 1981 and advanced to the state meet in the 100 and 400 in 1982. Sanchez ran a 24.65 for her best effort in the 200 and an 11.87 time in the 100 meters that at the time was second in area annals. In 1981, she was an alternate as a junior in the in the state meet 200-meter dash, and reached the state meet as a senior in 1982 in the 100-meter and 400-meter dashes. She never lost a race in high school against Valley competition. This Lady Greyhounds flash set records with regularity, as the only three-time winner of the Mythical Valley Championships while in high school. Sanchez received a scholarship for Pan American University and ran for the Lady Broncs in 1983, reaching the NCAA meet in the 100. On May 8, 1982 the City of San Benito celebrated Patsy Sanchez Day in honor of a tremendous athlete who set Valley tracks on fire during her career. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1596405517556-A7FA26F9AG4Z6I1FSFTR/2013+Sanchez+Paredes%2C+Patsy.jpg Patsy (Sanchez) Paredes https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-zamarripa-raul daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578454943728-T8XCJ8JJT5SX3NZTB1P7/2013+Zamarripa%2C+Raul+4x6.jpg Raul Zamarripa - Raul Zamarripa Inducted 2013 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Athletics Trainer b. April 16, 1951 Zamarripa is a 1970 graduate of Brownsville High School. Upon his graduation, he attended Pan American University on an athletic trainer's scholarship. He earned a bachelor's degree majoring in Math, History, and Physical Education and his Texas State Trainers License. Zamarripa, nicknamed “Doc Z,” began his athletic training career at Harlingen High School from 1974 to 1982, when he moved on to work at Edinburg High School. In 1989, Zamarripa returned to HHS where he is now the head athletic trainer. He has worked for 39 years as the athletic trainer for two of the most competitive athletic sports programs in South Texas – Harlingen High and Edinburg High. Zamarripa has continued his professional growth and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, the Texas State Athletic Trainers Association and the Valley Athletic Trainers Association. Zamarripa has served as the Regional Director for TSATA as well as President of the VATA. He continues to work with various committees in the Valley helping promote the importance and the need of the athletic trainers in the high school setting as well as in the sports community. Zamarripa is the recipient of the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association John Harvey Humanitarian Award, the City of Palms Hall of Honor Award and the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association Meet of Champions Hall of Honor Award. https://www.rgvshof.net/2012-beene-cathy daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659030864-ZS2NW2W7MYDUA2DI6NYT/2012+Beene%2C+Cathy+4x6.jpg Cathy Beene - Cathy Beene Inducted 2012 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Lamar University Best Known for: Athlete – Tennis b. August 22, 1951 A former No. 1 ranked high school tennis player in Texas and star athlete at Lamar University, Beene’s career includes more than 30 years as a Division I coach and director of athletics. Beene starred at Harlingen High School where she was ranked No. 1 in the state for under-18 girls’ tennis in 1969 and twice named Outstanding Player. A member of the Lamar University Athletic Hall of Honor, Beene became the first player to win four straight collegiate state titles, including a national doubles title in 1973. Beene has been a collegiate tennis coach at four universities and twice selected as conference Coach of the Year. She is an Associate Director of Athletics at Georgia Southern University and serving her second term as Chair of the NCAA Men's and Women's Tennis Committee. Beene is well respected and one of the great achievers in Texas tennis circles. https://www.rgvshof.net/2012-brisky-mike daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659074659-QD1MOGRKYH15AKYU7PQC/2012+Brisky%2C+Mike+4x6.jpg Mike Brisky - Mike Brisky Inducted 2012 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Hanna High School College: Pan American University Professional: PGA Tour Best Known for: Athlete – Golf b. May 18, 1965 Brisky is a Brownsville native who earned more than $2 million playing on the PGA Tour for seven seasons and professionally for 15 years. He got his start on the Brownsville Hanna High golf team, before graduating in 1983. Brisky went on to play at Pan American University, where he averaged a 73 per round by his senior season. He earned with a bachelor's degree in 1987 and became a professional golfer. In 1993 Brisky earned PGA Tour privileges at the PGA Qualifying Tournament. He joined the Nike Tour that same year, where he won the Nike Texarkana Open, and two tournaments on the T.C. Jordan Tour. Brisky defended his Texarkana Open title in 1994. Brisky played in six PGA tournaments that year. He competed in 30 tournaments in 1995, and tied for first at the Buick Open. Brisky lost on the playoff hole and earned $129,600. In 1996 he played in 27 PGA tournaments and finished in the Top 10 three times. In 30 PGA tournaments in 1997, Brisky made the Top 10 five times and added a third-place finish. He played on the PGA and Nike Tours in 1998, and in 1999, Brisky tied for first again at the PGA's John Deere Classic, but lost in a playoff and earned a check of $216,000. He continued on the PGA Tour in 2000 before joining the Nationwide Tour in 2001 for three years. https://www.rgvshof.net/2012-iglesias-iris daily 0.75 2021-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1622486057561-9N5Y4REA8WT3KE6G3FKK/Iglesias%2C+Iris+2021.jpg Iris Iglesias - Iris Iglesias Inducted 2012 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball and Softball b. June 27, 1955 Iris Iglesias of Mission has been a multi-sport coach at Mission High for the past 34 years and passed the 500-victory plateau during the 2011-12 season. Iglesias played on the volleyball team as a student and was named to the volleyball all-district team her four varsity years and graduating in 1973. She attended Pan American University and played volleyball and softball until 1975. She left the Valley for five years and returned to graduate from PAU and returned to her high school alma mater. After six years as an assistant coach, she began her head coaching career in 1986 with the Lady Eagle basketball team. She posted a 157-97 record in eight years. In 1995 Iglesias introduced softball to Mission High and has been there ever since. In her 19 seasons, she has posted a 317-164 career record, including 5 district championships, 9 bi-district championships and 3 area championships. Her 1996 team reached the regional quarterfinals and her 2000 squad advanced to the sweet 16. Iglesias has been named District Coach of the Year five times. Valley Coach of the Year three times - once in basketball in 1991 and twice in Softball in 1996 and 1998. Several of her softball players have gone on to receive college scholarships and three have become head coaches at softball programs in the Rio Grande Valley. In 2019, the Mission CISD named the Mission High School softball field in her honor. https://www.rgvshof.net/2012-knetig-ed daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659198596-8GX4EYIVU90JO3O86H5P/2012+Knetig%2C+Ed+4x6.jpg Ed Knetig - Edmund “Ed” Knetig † Inducted 2012 Hometown: Corpus Christi High School: Ray High School Best Known for: Football Officiating Nov. 20, 1943–Jan. 27, 2021 After moving from Corpus Christi, Knetig joined the Southwest Football Official Association in the Rio Grande Valley. He served five years as Chapter Secretary and as Chapter President. He also served as State Board of Director for two years. The Texas High School Officiating Association (TASO) honored him with the State Honorary Lifetime membership award in 2008. Knetig officiated more than 500 varsity games in the Valley and more than 50 varsity and college games in Mexico. While working high school games he worked all position on the field. He formed a crew and worked at almost all the valley stadiums and in Laredo. Knetig worked as referee of state semifinals, quarterfinals, regional and a number of lower level state playoff games. Knetig worked with high school officials in the Valley by organizing the 3-4-5 Clinic designed to help new and young officials on how to work football games both, sub-varsity and varsity. He also is the Clinic Director of the West Texas Football Officials Clinic in El Paso. That clinic is for high school officials wanting to move to the college officiating ranks. Knetig has worked in the Southwest Conference, Western Athletic Conference, Mountain West Conference and Big 12 as a Side Judge on the field and as an Instant Replay Official. He has received 11 bowl assignments, the most recent assignment was the 2012 BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala. between SMU and Pittsburgh. While working in the above conferences, He has travelled all over the United States and Hawaii working football. He has worked for schools in all the major college conferences. He continues to work as a replay official assigned to the Big 12 staff. Knetig was a certified USA Track and Field official for 10 years before retiring from track and field, working for the University of Texas Track Association and officiating the Texas State High School Track and Field meets during that time. He has seen and worked with some of America's top track and field athletics at the high school, college and international levels. https://www.rgvshof.net/2012-schulgen-george daily 0.75 2020-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579821037246-EI3LQCRUZ6C1TBFGBV3F/2012+Schulgen%2C+George2+4x6.jpg George Schulgen - George Schulgen Inducted 2012 Hometown: Santa Rosa High School: Santa Rosa High School College: Rice University Best Known for: Football A terror on the ball field for Santa Rosa in the early 1960s, Schulgen advanced to Rice and became a two-time All-Southwest Conference second team pick on defense for the Owls. Schulgen, the Big Redhead from Santa Rosa, was All-District three times, the Class A Texas Player of the Year in 1963, named to the Super Team All-State, and received a rare accolade when he was named high school All-American by Scholastic Sports Magazine that season. He averaged 20 tackles per game, set school records in the discus, and was the basketball team's leading scorer. At Rice, he got the chance to play for the grizzled veteran Jess Neely, then near the end of his 27-year career at the university. From 1965-1967, Schulgen was a three-year starter and two-time All-SWC performer at middle guard for the Owls. In one of his greatest efforts, the Valley native was tabbed as the Player of the Game when Rice upset UT in Austin in 1965. His teammates for the Owls in the mid-1960s included future pros Chuck Latourette and Hugo Hollas. Though he would undergo nine knee surgeries in all, Schulgen was a force for Rice, and signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins of the NFL. The scouts loved his toughness and determination, and many noted that had he not been injured, Schulgen would have carved out a career in the pros. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581048106504-UQHK8HUUJPPTLN7A7G0S/Schulgen%2C+George+-+Photo+1.jpg George Schulgen https://www.rgvshof.net/2012-vela-pete daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659346948-PJZW4DFUIE7IMBYKJF4O/2012+Vela%2C+Pete+4x6.jpg Pete Vela - Pete Vela Inducted 2012 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Athletics Administration and Coaching – Football b. January 11, 1947 One of the finest coaches and administrators in Valley annals, Vela was a two-time Rio Grande Valley Coach of the Year who during his tenure served as state director of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association and the Texas State High School Coaches Association. The Edinburg High School grad (1965) was on the all-district football team for the Bobcats under Coach Fred Akers, graduated from Pan American University, and then earned a master's degree from Texas A&I University in 1976. After a number of jobs as an assistant coach, he was a head coach for nine years at Mercedes and McAllen Memorial, winning two district titles for Mercedes; his Tiger defense was No. 1 in the state in 1988 and first in the Valley in 1985. His career included 25 years in coaching and 15 years as an athletic director, and among his accomplishments were the institution of wrestling and girls' soccer while AD at Weslaco. Known for his brilliant preparation for games and motivating intensity during them, Vela became a father figure in many of his players' lives. But they always knew he meant business when a vein in the excitable leader's neck started popping out. He was the personification of passionate commitment. Vela received the ultimate award in 2011 when he became only the fifth AD in Valley history to be named to the Texas Athletic Directors Association Hall of Honor, joining Richard Flores, Joe Rodriguez, Chipper Zamora and Poppy Rodriguez in that select group. https://www.rgvshof.net/2012-wallace-jack-sr daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659394293-3KN2WWAJ4HSLAUSVMS2I/2012+Wallace%2C+Jack+4x6.jpg Jack Wallace Sr. - Jack Wallace Sr. † Inducted 2012 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Athlete-Football and Basketball Jan. 1, 1925-July 6, 2013 In high school football he faced off against Mission's legendary Tom Landry, Wallace was a college teammate of the great Bobby Layne, later becoming a leader in Valley agribusiness for more than 40 years. Wallace was an all-district center for Edinburg High in the early 1940s, leading the team to the state playoffs under legendary Coach Bobby Cannon. The youngest of three gridiron stars in the family, he was noted for a quick punch against defensive linemen and ferocious intensity on both sides of the ball for EHS. Down the road he earned a starting role for Coach D.X. Bible's Texas Longhorns, snapping the ball to the All-American Layne before moving to guard later in his career on the 40 Acres. Though somewhat undersized at 200 pounds, Wallace Sr. became a trusted leader on the UT squad with brains and brawn, again employing a quick-strike mentality when dealing with the defensive behemoths of the Southwest Conference. At 6-foot-3, Wallace Sr. was known for his great speed, which enabled him to take to the basketball court for UT during his college days, where he was a superb defender often called upon to hound the opposition's best scorer. After his playing days, he returned to Edinburg, continuing his father's farming business, while his son, Jack Jr. would follow in his footsteps as a football player for EHS and UT, and as a successful farmer. Both Wallaces appeared in a popular national TV commercial for Frito Lay in 2010. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581046910198-TC1SJTJVKIWHEZQTBQ84/Wallace%2C+Jack+2012.jpg Jack Wallace Sr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614693809218-KMFI5WG2IBB0WY7706WN/2025+Wallace%2C+Jack+Jr.jpg Jack Wallace Sr. https://www.rgvshof.net/2011-brumley-bob daily 0.75 2021-04-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578749942412-68YRWA722O7YPR2CBWW4/2011+Brumley%2C+Bob+2x3.png Bob Brumley - Bob Brumley † Inducted 2011 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Rice University and The University of Oklahoma Professional: Detroit Lions Best Known for: Athlete – Football (Sept. 24, 1919-March 31, 2009) Brumley was one of the very few Valley natives to make it to the NFL, after an incredible college career in which he made All-Conference at two different universities. Brumley grew up in Edinburg with three athletic brothers, but was by far the best, earning All-Valley twice in high school under legendary Coach Bobby Cannon and starring in basketball and baseball. A hard-running back with great speed and the ability to throw far downfield, Brumley was one of the bona fide superstars of the Early Era, an iron-built 190-pounder with excellent balance, vision, and kicking/punting skills. He led the Bobcats to the district title in 1937, single-handedly beating San Benito with an 87-yard punt return and a TD pass, and decimating Harlingen with his triple-threat package. In baseball his hard-hitting exploits again spelled a league crown, and he was also the leading scorer in hoops. Brumley was invited to the state football All-Star Game as a senior. At Rice, the versatile back won the Houston Post Southwest Conference MVP award in 1940 and enjoyed two great seasons for the Owls, earning a spot on the roster for the prestigious East-West Shrine Game. After a stint in the U.S Navy during World War II he became an All-Big 6 selection for the Oklahoma Sooners, placing third in the nation in scoring with 79 points in 1943. Brumley appeared in one game for the Detroit Lions in 1945, amassing 45 total yards before retiring to go into business. https://www.rgvshof.net/2011-bush-bruce daily 0.75 2022-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578749999610-4FAPA5HT4974K4X26MZJ/2011+Bush%2C+Bruce+2x3.png Bruce Bush - Bruce Bush Inducted 2011 Hometown: Nederland High School: Nederland High School Best Known for: Football Coaching One of the winningest coaches in state history, his innovative offensive genius, attention to detail, and motivational talents are legendary. Bruce Bush has won 261 games at a number of schools, having spent 19 of 41 total seasons in South Texas. He went to the playoffs 11 of 12 seasons with Alice (1982-88) and Gregory-Portland (1989-95), including state finals appearances in 1989 and 1992. Then he took San Marcos to seven postseason trips in eight years, going 68-24 from 1997 to 2004. His 1985 Alice team went 12-2 and the 1999 and 2000 San Marcos clubs won 11 games each. At G-P, Bush squads topped 10 wins four times, including 13 in 1992 when the Wildcats lost in the state semifinals. In the Valley, the Slot-T wizard has led PSJA (1980-81), Donna (1995-96), and Pharr North (2008-11), winning 56 of 79 contests including 11 of 13 in 2009. He's been to the playoffs 24 seasons and has been named Coach of the Year numerous times with eight district titles. He is a member of the Coastal Bend Coaches Hall of Fame, a respected mentor who has been a winner wherever he's coached. Bush was an All-District cornerback for Nederland High (1965) before launching a long and storied career in coaching. He was an assistant coach at Port Neches-Groves (1975) when that program copped the state Class 4A title and took over at the tiny town of Dimmitt in 1976 for his first head coaching job. https://www.rgvshof.net/2011-garza-sammy daily 0.75 2020-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578750073548-U4DSQF7VI53AESMZ0PW4/2011+Garza%2C+Sammy+2x3.png Sammy Garza - Sammy Garza Inducted 2011 Hometown: Corpus Christi High School: Harlingen High School College: The University of Texas at El Paso Professional: Seattle Seahawks, Phoenix Cardinals, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Rough Riders Best Known for: Football A Harlingen star who made it all the way to the NFL, Garza was a super slinger was one of the best passers in Valley history. Born in Corpus Christi, Garza was a standout for the Cardinals in the 1980s, a mobile quarterback with a rocket arm. At a time when only one team made the playoffs the Cards were 30-10 in his career but never advanced into the postseason. But his outstanding performance in high school earned him a scholarship to The University of Texas at El Paso. There he started three years (1984-86) and recorded a 3,000-yard season, three 400-yard games, and ended his run as the program's all-time leader in total offense. He also set a Miner mark with 36 completions in one game. Garza was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the eighth round in 1987 and saw action for the Phoenix Cardinals in two games that season, passing for 183 yards and a TD. He made his name in Canada with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Ottawa Rough Riders during a six-year career, also spending a year with the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League. In 1993 the Valley ex paced Winnipeg to the Grey Cup championship game, and all told, threw for nearly 5,000 yards with 29 touchdowns in his career. His best effort came in 1995 as he tossed for 2,954 yards and 13 scores. He later coached at UTEP for many years and eventually became an NFL scout for the Dallas Cowboys. https://www.rgvshof.net/2011-guillot-donald daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578750143021-13BS8L9DIYE5A2RHJR7B/2011+Guillot%2C+Donald+2x3.png Donald Guillot - Donald Guillot Inducted 2011 Hometown: Port Isabel High School: Port Isabel High School College: The University of Texas-Pan American, U.S. Olympic team, Pan Am Games Professional: Oakland A’s organization, Mexican League Best Known for: Athlete – Football, Baseball b. June 20, 1964 One of the greatest South Texas athletes ever, Guillot starred at Port Isabel and then became a record-setting baseball standout in college. Guillot was a tough, skilled, and fast, an All-State quarterback and safety who led the Tarpons to the state semifinals in 1981. He snared 17 interceptions one season, was a regular on the All-Valley Team in football, baseball and basketball, and was named to the Freedom Communications All-Millenium Football Team second unit. Guillot also went to regionals four years in a row in track. He has gone down in history one of the Valley’s premier multi-sport athletes. He was the dominant force on a Tarpon football team that went 47-4-1 from 1979-1982, including 30-0 in District 32-3A with an average score of 38-7. The defense posted 22 shutouts in 52 games during that span and in 1981 PI was ranked No. 1 in the state in the UPI poll. In college, Guillot was a dynamic outfielder who set an NCAA stolen base record that still stands (107 in 1987) and finished up third all-time in steals nationally. Guillot holds four single-season records for the Broncs and in career marks finished as number one in steals, hits, runs, and games played. In 1987, he scored a program-best 85 runs and also walked 75 times to set yet another standard, later playing for the U.S. Olympic team in the Pan Am Games, in the Oakland A's organization, and the Mexican League. https://www.rgvshof.net/2011-sanders-travis daily 0.75 2020-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578749871029-UEHGIS0E2PHO3MI0K9II/2011+Sanders%2C+Travis+2x3.png Travis Sanders - Travis Sanders Inducted 2011 Hometown: Port Isabel High School: Port Isabel High School College: The University of Texas at Arlington Best Known for: Football In 1978, Sanders led Port Isabel to its second district championship in three years and their first ever United Press International No. 1 state ranking. That same year he also became the first running back in Valley history to reach 1,000 yards in six games and 2,000 yards in 10 games. He finished the season with 2,496 yards capturing the state rushing title and setting a single season record. He also set rushing records for a single game of 359 yards and total career yardage of 5,516. By the end of his senior year, he had built a rushing resume that included three career 300-yard games, 6 career 200-yard games, and 27 career 100-yard games. But it is his record of 22 consecutive 100-yard plus rushing games that has remained untouched for over 33 years and is still ranked 8th best statewide among all rushers for all classes. At 5-foot 9 and 185 pounds, this Port Isabel dynamo had moves, balance, strength, and speed. One opposing coach was quoted as saying, you can hit him real hard, but he just keeps coming. He was voted First-Team All-District, All-Valley, All-South Texas, and All-State. He continued his football career at the University of Texas at Arlington and in 1999 was voted to the RGV All-Millennium Football Team. In 2008, he was voted one of the Top 50 All-Time Valley Athletes and is still considered today as one of the greatest running backs ever in Valley football history. https://www.rgvshof.net/2011-vela-carlos daily 0.75 2020-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578748773781-67QSBMVQDAFKITN12X97/2011+Vela%2C+Carlos+2x3.png Carlos Vela - Carlos Vela Inducted 2011 Hometown: Pharr High School: P-SJ-A High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Track Coaching A record-setting miler who was also a great quarterback, Vela was a PSJA legend as one of the finest track and field coaches after his playing days. Vela alternated with Johnny Warden on the 1962 Bear team that went all the way to the state finals before losing to Dumas, helping the team with a number of key, long-distance throws during the playoff march. His big-play passing exploits were eclipsed only by his mastery of the 1,600 meters, a race he dominated in high school. He was a two-time state qualifier in the mile (1962-63) who set a regional record along the way and broke the record at the Quarterback Relays. In high school he ran against the state's best, including Ricardo Romo, later to become the president of UTSA. Vela graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees from Pan American College and coached track and field for 27 years, mainly at his high school alma mater. Vela's teams won 10 district titles and 12 mythical championships, and he was named Coach of the Year 10 times. He continues to support Valley track and field to this day as meet referee. One of his signal contributions has come after his playing and coaching days. Vela recently unveiled a crowning achievement, an extensive compilation of records set in girls' and boys' Valley track and field from the early days to today. The list is sure to remain a source document on the sport and its leading figures for decades to come. https://www.rgvshof.net/2011-zamora-ronnie daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578714540146-OE6BMA9RXT0D5WJKXBQ3/2011+Zamora%2C+Ronnie.jpg Ronnie Zamora - Ronnie Zamora Inducted 2011 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Texas Southmost College, The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Sports Journalism b. July 14, 1954 Zamora has been a fixture in Valley sports journalism since his first published story in 1971. He has served as a sports writer, broadcaster, and public address announcer, and has been active in community service. He became Sports Editor of The Brownsville Herald a week after his 18th birthday in 1972, a position he held for three years while attending Texas Southmost College. He later earned his Bachelor of Journalism degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he reached the rank of Sports Editor of the Daily Texan in 1977. Zamora served as Sports Editor of the Valley Morning Star and Brownsville Herald, and was a sports writer at the San Antonio Light. He worked several positions at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College for 22 years, including Sports Information Director. Zamora served as the public address announcer and Internet radio voice for Scorpion athletics teams from 2000 to 2006. He also served as the play-by-play announcer for the University of Texas-Pan American basketball on the Valley Fox television affiliate from 2000-02. Zamora is a past president of Leadership Brownsville Inc. and the RGV Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors https://www.rgvshof.net/2010-alamia-luis-jr daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580911246-N8UBKTBB2N7U140A8LBJ/2010+Alamia%2C+Louie+4x6.jpg Luis Alamia Jr. - Luis Alamia Jr.† Inducted 2010 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High College: New Mexico Highlands University, Pan American College Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball July 21, 1942-Nov. 1, 2018 Alamia was once known as the Prince of Thieves, after having set a national NAIA record for stolen bases at New Mexico Highlands in the 1960s. He was an administrator at Edinburg North High for 20 years. Alamia lettered four times in baseball (two in basketball) and gained All-State recognition at Edinburg High before graduating in 1961. At Highlands he hit .304 and broke the record for steals in 1962 before coming back home to finish his career in baseball at Pan Am. Alamia played semi-pro ball for a number of years and then led EHS to two district titles as coach in the late 1960s. Armed with a master's degree, he has been a tireless athletic supporter and administrator at North since its inception in 1991 and was also active in youth sports as a coach for 10 years. https://www.rgvshof.net/2010-farias-rey daily 0.75 2020-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578764622296-3ALQIVPLXQUKO86LA1S7/2019+Farias%2C+Rey+2x3.jpg Rey Farias - Rey Farias Inducted 2010 Hometown: La Joya High School: La Joya High School College: Southwest Texas State University Professional: San Antonio Toros Best Known for: Football This son of migrant workers worked his way up the hard way, Farias eventually earning a master's degree after a standout football career and becoming a head coach, athletic director and principal at Los Fresnos High School. After graduating from La Joya High School in 1961, Farias walked on at Southwest Texas State University and became an honorable mention Little All-America pick in 1964. He was second in the Lone Star Conference in rushing and scoring as a senior for the Bobcat team that won the LSC that season. Farias joined the semi-pro San Antonio Toros and played several seasons as a dangerous receiver out of the backfield and kick-return specialist. After his playing days, he moved to Los Fresnos where he coached the football team for four seasons (1975-1978) and transitioned into administration for 24 years, in time becoming a member of the Los Fresnos CISD Board of Trustees. https://www.rgvshof.net/2010-garcia-wilfrido-willie daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580032173-YLHNMOMNIL2GUTXFYVMD/2010+Garcia%2C+Willie+4x6.jpg Wilfrido "Willie" Garcia - Wilfrido “Willie” Garcia Inducted 2010 Hometown: Rio Grande City High School: Rio Grande City High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coaching – Track and Field It's hard to find a more inspirational story than that of Garcia, who lost his right arm at age 14, but battled through that to become a member of the All-District football team in 1953 as a senior center from Rio Grande City High. He went on to play baseball at Pan American College in the mid-1950s. Later, he started teaching and coaching at his alma mater, went to Brownsville Hanna as an assistant, and eventually won state titles as head track coach at Brownsville St. Joseph in 1971 and 1972. Having earned a master's degree in education administration, Garcia served as a principal on both high school and elementary levels in La Joya and was accorded Congressional Recognition by Rep. Solomon Ortiz in 2000 for a lifetime of service. https://www.rgvshof.net/2010-abbenante-howell-cathy daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580257698-H2F5BTVHB1GVU4CD62QX/2010+Howell%2C+Kathy+4x6.jpg Cathy Abbenante Howell - Cathy (Abbenante) Howell Inducted 2010 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Coaching – Track/Cross Country One of the most consistent winners in track and field since the 1980s, Abbenante has an impressive résumé. She earned two degrees and her master's from Pan American University and put that knowledge to good use for area track and cross-country runners, winning eight district titles at Mission and Veterans Memorial. She started as basketball and track coach at Mission Junior High School and from 1979 to 1985 clinched five titles in basketball and four in track. From 1986-99 she led Mission High School and to five league titles, three regional crowns, and were state finalists six times. The crowning moment came in 1991, when Mission won the state championship in cross country. Her teams finished in the state top 10 four times. At Mission Veterans Memorial, Howell paced the track team to five district titles and three second-place finishes, while her cross-country girls have been to the regional championships for six straight seasons. https://www.rgvshof.net/2010-martin-donny daily 0.75 2020-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580616043-VQ672YPKHW21ITDRAD9W/2010+Martin%2C+Donnie+4x6.jpg Donny Martin - Donny Martin Inducted 2010 Hometown: Port Isabel High School: Port Isabel High School College: Rice University Professional: Houston Oilers, Houston Gamblers Best Known for: Football Martin was voted one of the Top 50 football players in Valley history, after making it all the way to the NFL with the Houston Oilers. He was a two-way star for Port Isabel from 1975-78 who won three letters, was the team's offensive line Most Valuable Player as a senior and also was selected to the All-Valley team that season. He played for Coach Tommy Roberts as the Tarpons began their great dynasty. Martin earned a scholarship to Rice University, where he was a two-time Offensive Line MVP with the Owls and lettered all four years at Rice. A 260-pounder with a 500-pound bench press, Martin was on the Houston Oilers' squad in 1983 and started the entire 1984 season for the Houston Gamblers of the USFL. A fierce competitor who used awesome strength along with great football savvy, Martin made his mark at every level, from high school to the pros. https://www.rgvshof.net/2010-molina-erasmo-mo daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578764775528-UWV5XJMPW85V9LJVVABS/2010+Molina%2C+Mo+4x6.jpg Erasmo "Mo" Molina - Erasmo “Mo” Molina Inducted 2010 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball b. Dec. 29, 1945 Molina has been a teacher and coach for the 38 years. He has taught in numerous school districts throughout the Valley, and recorded more than 430 wins as a basketball coach. Molina has written numerous articles that have been published in Texas Coach magazine. He has lectured in several basketball clinics, including the South Padre Island Basketball Clinic, and the Region 7 Texas High School Coaches Association meeting. Molina, a Vietnam veteran, served on the Board of Directors of the Texas High School Coaches Association for four years. He has also served as President of the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association and also the Rio Grande Valley Basketball Coaches Association. He has been nominated to coach the Texas High School Coaches Association South Basketball All-Star team four times. He was selected to coach the East squad in the RGVBCA All-Star game in 2009 and 2010. In addition to serving as basketball coach at the Marine Military Academy, Molina also served as Special Assistant Coach to the RGV Silverados, CBA professional basketball team. His son, Brian, is the head basketball coach at Harlingen South High School and daughter, Lyrissa, is the head volleyball coach at La Joya High School. https://www.rgvshof.net/2010-moore-otto daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580691074-GYXYN6TJUZOFZEG2ZX03/2010+Moore%2C+Otto+4x6.jpg Otto Moore - Otto Moore Inducted 2010 Hometown: Miami, Fla. College: Pan American College Professional: Houston Rockets, New Orleans Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Kansas City Kings Athlete – Basketball b. August 27, 1946 Pan American College had some outstanding basketball players in the past, and one of the best was Otto Moore, a 6-foot-11 center who left the school as the number one all-time rebounder and scorer. Moore, originally from Miami, came to the Valley in 1965 and scored 1,880 points and grabbed 1,679 boards from 1965-68. In college he grabbed at least 25 rebounds nine times, with a career-best 35 against Lamar in 1966 and was in the top 10 of NCAA rebounders three seasons. He was the sixth overall pick in the first round by the Detroit Pistons in the 1968 NBA draft. He went to play three years with the Pistons, one season each with the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, and Kansas City-Omaha Kings and two seasons with the New Orleans Jazz. Playing for the New Orleans Jazz in 1975-76, he led the team with 136 blocked shots and 793 rebounds. He averaged 8.2 points and 8.2 boards in 682 games. https://www.rgvshof.net/2009-cox-tommy daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579042430151-TMJKQ40RFMCJV1VRA24I/2009+Cox%2C+Tommy+4x6.jpg Tommy Cox - Tommy Cox† Inducted 2009 Hometown: La Feria High School: La Feria High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Athlete-Football The best in a long line of Cox boys at La Feria, Tommy Cox rushed for more than 1,000 three times from 1974 to 1977 and ended his high school career as the Valley's all-time leading rusher at the time and fifth statewide in Class 2A. He was also a state-meet qualifier in track and field. The 175-pounder romped for 217 yards against Los Fresnos as a sophomore, after having gained 656 as a freshman. He amassed 1,459 as a junior and then 1,946 as a senior with 22 touchdowns, leading the Lions to their first playoff appearance since 1937. He had four 200-yards games that season, made the All-State unit, and played in the state high school all-star game. Cox went on to play for The University of Texas, seeing action in the 1978 Sun Bowl, and later did a stint with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL. https://www.rgvshof.net/2009-detmer-sonny daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975340819-HKJLP4N7IVOK4VNB2XUD/2009+Detmer%2C+Sonny+4x6.jpg Sonny Detmer - Sonny Detmer† Inducted 2007 Hometown: Beaumont College: Wharton Community College, Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Football Coaching Sept. 11, 1944-Sept. 22, 2020 Besides producing two sons who played in the NFL, Sonny Detmer was an outstanding Valley football coach who is still active in the game today. A standout wide receiver at Wharton Community College in the early 1960s, Detmer went on to play for the semi-pro San Antonio Toros before getting into coaching at Somerset, from 1971 to 1977. He led San Antonio Southwest and future Heisman winner son Ty to much success in the 1980s before coming to Mission in 1989. There, he won 68 of 100 games with the Eagles, with second son Koy making All-State at quarterback. Mission went 12-2 in 1990, advancing to the Class 5A state semifinals, and then 11-1 the next year. In all, Detmer coached the school to five playoff trips with his complex, pass-happy attack, leaving Mission in 1997 to return to the San Antonio area. He's now back at Somerset. https://www.rgvshof.net/2009-roberts-tommy daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975391509-RT2GIG3MNHPLOW6813XU/2009+Roberts%2C+Tommy+4x6.jpg Tommy Roberts - Tommy Roberts Inducted 2009 Hometown: Leander High School: Leander High School College: Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Football Coaching Roberts resurrected San Benito for its first playoff trip in 1961, which is not surprising because Roberts has been a winner wherever he has gone. A high school football star for Leander, Roberts played for Southwest Texas State University in the early 1960s and got his first head coaching job at Round Rock in 1967. He enjoyed five successful years there and then went to Freer, where he had four playoff teams in five years. He landed in Port Isabel in 1978, and the Tarpons were an amazing 47-4-1 from 1978-81, reaching the state semifinals in 1981 before losing to Cameron Yoe, 25-14. Roberts later coached running backs for the San Benito Gunslingers in the USFL for two seasons before returning to the Valley to lead San Benito for 10 seasons. His innovative wide-open offense turned a dormant program around in San Benito. His overall coaching record of 189-77-10 ranks among the top five in the Rio Grande Valley. https://www.rgvshof.net/2009-salinas-hector daily 0.75 2021-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1619813520221-1VBZQC9TJ2RPAKDUN007/Salinas%2C+Hector+2x3.jpg Hector Salinas - Hector Salinas Inducted 2009 Hometown: Elsa High School: Corpus Christi Carroll College: Pan American University Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball d. April 30, 2021 After a stellar baseball career, Salinas transitioned into coaching and administration, and became known as a solid program man. He started two college baseball programs from scratch and was a highly successful athletic director to round out his resume. Born in Elsa, Salinas was a standout pitcher who led Corpus Christi Carroll to its first district crown, in 1961. He lettered at Pan American University from 1965 to 1968 and was an All-American in 1967. Returning to the Valley, Salinas guided the baseball outfit at Texas Southmost College, staying for seven years and winning 116 games before moving on to lead diamond groups at Laredo Junior College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Always an expert organizer and motivator, Salinas is one of the founding fathers of baseball in South Texas, a man who starred in the game and then devoted his efforts to developing talented players and programs. https://www.rgvshof.net/2009-tredaway-reggie daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975435228-WE8408BTFQKNDNMHRNHZ/2009+Tredaway%2C+Reggie+4x6.jpg Reggie Tredaway - Reggie Tredaway Inducted 2009 Hometown: Midland High School: Midland High School College: Sul Ross State University, Pan American University Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball Tredaway is perhaps the most recognizable name in Valley baseball, after a 31-year career that saw him lead the Pan American University to the College World Series and later spend over two decades at the university as a coach. Tredaway was an All-American infielder who transferred to PAU from Sul Ross University. During his freshman year, Sul Ross advanced to the NAIA World Series in 1968. From 1969 to 1971 he joined the Broncs for three seasons and was All-American as a sophomore. He was a mainstay on the Broncs team that eventually went all the way to the Series in 1971. A clutch hitter who had nine game-winning hits in 1971, Tredaway made a spectacular catch against Harvard in the Series that is still talked about. After his senior year, he was drafted by the Oakland A’s, but decided to work and went into coaching. He was the assistant coach at Brownsville High School from 1972-74. He became assistant coach at Pan American in 1974 to the legendary Al Ogletree, his college mentor. In 1997 succeeded Ogletree at the helm of the Broncs. He spent 31 years with the University. Tredaway managed the team for five seasons before giving way to 1971 teammate Willie Gawlik, and later coached the pro Edinburg Roadrunners with son Chad as manager. https://www.rgvshof.net/2009-wright-elbert-lum daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975476401-24UNHUP2ZA79I9KK01WD/2009+Wright%2C+Lum+4x6.jpg Elbert "Lum" Wright - Elbert “Lum” Wright† Inducted 2009 Hometown: Elsa High School: Edcouch-Elsa High School College: Mississippi College Best Known for: Coaching Football One of the nation's legendary football leaders, Wright played football and baseball ball at Mississippi College in the late 1940s and then proceeded to win 361 lifetime games in a 45-year span that ended with his being elected to the National Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame. Wright won 23 of 30 games with Edcouch-Elsa from 1957-59, and the Yellowjackets went 10-1 and won the district title in 1959. He went to Mission, where in eight seasons he won a pair of league titles before coaching Gilmer in East Texas for two seasons and then returning to his native Mississippi in 1974. Wright was a seven-time Coach of the Year who fashioned six undefeated seasons and had two 27-game winning streaks as a coach. A member of five different halls of fame, Wright retired in 2000 as No. 9 in all-time wins nationwide at the time. https://www.rgvshof.net/2008-corona-regino-reggie daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975545858-TSGC6LFL2HQSKE9BK9W7/2008+Corona%2C+Regino+4x6.jpg Regino "Reggie" Corona - Regino “Reggie” Corona Inducted 2008 Hometown: Gregory High School: Gregory-Portland High School College: Del Mar College, Texas A&I University, Stephen F. Austin University Best Known for: Track and Field Coaching One of the most successful track coaches in Valley history, Corona came out of tiny Gregory in the Coastal Bend to earn his place in the record books. Corona graduated from Gregory-Portland High School in 1957 and went on to study at Del Mar College, Texas A&I University, and Stephen F. Austin University, starting in coaching in Brownsville in the late 1960s. He was the first track coach at Brownsville Pace High School, after having toiled for seven years in the junior high system before getting a head coaching chance. He led the Vikings girls and boys to 13 district titles and the boys' state team title in 1985 in 21 years at the school. Corona later became a volunteer assistant at St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville, and all told, coached four state champion runners, with Sammy Montalvo winning two. He also became a successful local businessman with his tuxedo-rental chain. https://www.rgvshof.net/2008-filoteo-joe daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975592468-B9120GX9MONKOUAOHTMC/2008+Filoteo%2C+Joe+4x6.jpg Joe Filoteo - Joe Filoteo Jr. Inducted 2008 Hometown: Waco High School: Waco High School College: Baylor University Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball Filoteo has amassed numerous accomplishments because the Edinburg High basketball coaching legend adds to his lengthy list of accolades every season. The Waco native and Baylor University graduate came to the Valley in 1983 and after taking the helm at Edinburg High School, proceeded to establish a consistent powerhouse built on fantastic transition offense and hard, in-your-face defense. His teams won 553 games in 25 seasons, translating to more than 22 a year, and has been no stranger to the state playoffs. The Bobcats have made the postseason 11 of the past 13 years, with three straight District 31-5A titles to their credit heading into 2009. Filoteo has led his group to seven district crowns, was named league Coach of the Year five times, and twice was honored as All-Valley Coach of the Year. EHS has advanced to the state Sweet 16 three times, including in 2008, after the team went through the district season unbeaten for the first time. The Bobcats set a program record for wins in a season in 2008 (32). As a member of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches since 1979, Filoteo is the only man to preside as president of the Rio Grande Valley Basketball Coaches Association twice and has organized the annual South Padre Island Coaching Clinic since 1992. He has run a summer youth skills and has also been associated with the TABC Camp of Champs, both since 1985. https://www.rgvshof.net/2008-keyes-bert daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975642488-DW88WS5RLPO62QGOY66N/2008+Keyes%2C+Bert+4x6.jpg Bert Keyes - Bert Keyes Jr. Inducted 2008 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Southern Methodist University Best Known for: Football Not many players are able to lead their team to the playoffs as a freshman quarterback, but Keyes accomplished this rare feat in 1950 as the 9th-grade signal-caller for Harlingen High School. Beginning a high school career in which he would earn All-District three times and honorable mention All-State as a senior, Keyes paced Coach Weldon Stony Phillips' club to the postseason in 1950, along with All-State lineman Jerry Fitzpatrick. Harlingen scored a victory over Alice in bi-district that season. He also lettered in basketball, track, and golf for the Cards. Keyes earned a scholarship to Southern Methodist University, where he played quarterback, fullback, linebacker and defensive back. He later joined the U.S Air Force, where he played and coached in service ball. An avid golfer, Keyes became an active Harlingen businessman and regular participant in the Life Begins at 40 Golf Tournament. https://www.rgvshof.net/2008-moore-tommy daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975694476-IGUSB1ILZ680IUA0LW8O/2008+Moore%2C+Tommy+4x6.jpg Tommy Moore - Tommy Moore Inducted 2008 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School College: Stephen F. Austin University Best Known for: Officiating – Football A standout football player for McAllen High in the early 1960s, Moore became best known as an official at the college and pro levels. Moore was a member of the Bulldogs' 1960 district title team and by 1967 was officiating high school games, which he did for 25 years; he earned selection for three state Class 5A championship games. On the college level, Moore worked for 18 seasons including appearances in three bowl games and the 1988 NCAA National Championship game. At the highest pinnacle, Moore officiated in the National Football League from 1992 to 2003, as a side judge wearing No. 60. He officiated in three wild card playoff games, three division championship games, and one Pro Bowl. Moore retired from the field in 2003 and began working for the NFL as an instant replay official in the booth. He is one of the few Valley natives to make it to the top. https://www.rgvshof.net/2008-vela-robert daily 0.75 2020-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579746490170-8B9RKHVFB8JON6ND4H04/2008+Vela%2C+Robert2+4x6.jpg Robert Vela - Robert Vela† Inducted 2008 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coach-Football This legendary Vela won 137 lifetime football games at Edcouch-Elsa and Edinburg and was known an expert motivator who had the loyalty and love of his kids and staff. Vela played football for the legendary coach Fred Akers at Edinburg High, where he graduated and later graduated from Pan American College. As a coach, he took teams to the playoffs 14 times in 19 seasons, including four district titles with Edcouch-Elsa, with the program's first crown in 23 years in 1989. That 1989 team went three-deep in the playoffs before tying Gregory-Portland and losing on penetrations. The Yellowjackets won league titles from 1991 to 1993. Vela popularized the slogan “Viva La Maquina,” and helped establish Edcouch-Elsa’s Black Hole as the toughest place to play in the Valley. At his alma mater of Edinburg High School, Vela led the Bobcats to a 31-9 record from 1998 to 2000, going four rounds deep in 1999. He won 70 games for Edinburg after having notched 67 in nine seasons at E-E. He coached EHS until his death in the summer of 2007. https://www.rgvshof.net/2008-young-russell daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975840178-DRC089AEA1UZEWZPN3V8/2008+Young%2C+Russell+4x6.jpg Russell Young - Russell Young† Inducted 2008 Hometown: Pharr High School: P-SJ-A High School College: Texas Western College (now UT-El Paso) Best Known for: Coaching and Athletics Administration February 5, 1930-June 11, 2014 A versatile performer who played multiple sports at PSJA High in the 1940s, Young played college football and then embarked on a successful career as a coach, administrator, and official. He earned All-District honors as a tackle in football and a forward in basketball for the Bears, then attended Texas Western (now the University of Texas-El Paso), where he lettered for three seasons as a defensive tackle. He started for two seasons for the Miners. Young began coaching in 1951 outside the Valley but came home to coach at McAllen High from 1957 to 1965. He then operated the City of McAllen's public swimming pool for more than 15 years, starting the McAllen AAU swim program in 1967. In 1971, he was named the Valley's first full-time athletic director without coaching responsibilities, and had gained fame as an official in football and basketball after retiring from coaching. https://www.rgvshof.net/2007-alvarez-arnie daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978250462-383Y8OP1FV7EK9WYAHRL/2007+Alvarez%2C+Arnie+2x3.jpg Arnie Alvarez - Arnoldo “Arnie” Alvarez † Inducted 2007 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball Aug. 13, 1946-Feb. 18, 1998 Alvarez holds the distinction of being the only man in Rio Grande Valley baseball history to participate in a UIL state championship game as a player and a coach. Alvarez was the starting third baseman on the outstanding Brownsville High team that went to the finals in 1965, leading the Eagles in batting average that season. A decade later he led the Mercedes Tigers to the 1974 Class 3A championship game as a coach. After high school, Alvarez played baseball for Pan American University (1967-70) and launched a coaching career that took him from Mercedes, PSJA, Los Fresnos and Brownsville Porter, where his teams won two district championships. He was also baseball coach and athletic director at Texas Southmost College, later to become The University of Texas at Brownsville from 1985 to 1996, returning to the high school ranks for a season at Weslaco before he passed away 1998. https://www.rgvshof.net/2007-longoria-rodriguez-sylvia daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978297625-SW9ADKSTLE2Y901EP5UX/2007+Longoria+Rodriguez%2C+Sylvia+4x6.jpg (Longoria) Rodriguez, Sylvia - (Longoria) Rodriguez, Sylvia Inducted 2007 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Texas Woman’s University Best Known for: Coaching – Track A champion athlete who became a top-notch coach, Longoria Rodriguez was a hit at every step along the way and trailblazer in women's sports. Longoria ran for Brownsville High in the late 1960s, advancing to the regional meet in the triple jump before graduating in 1968. At Texas Woman's University in Denton she helped the school's unit capture the AIAW national championship in 1969 and 1971, as a four-time national winner in the 400-yard dash and member of the relay team. She co-captained the team in 1971 and 1972. After earning a bachelor's degree from TWU, she returned to Brownsville in 1974 to start a high school coaching career that spanned 33 years, at Hanna (one season), Pace (nine seasons), Porter (11 seasons), and Lopez (12 seasons). One of the leading racers in area history, she gave back to the sport as a teacher and coach in her hometown. https://www.rgvshof.net/2007-pompa-eliseo daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978358358-VK6Y2Y0U48V7VOD5HUF9/2007+Pompa%2C+Eliseo+4x6.jpg Eliseo Pompa - Eliseo Pompa Inducted 2007 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School Professional: Montreal Expos organization, Mexican Leagues Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball Pompa was a standout high school athlete in multiple sports and has become one of the Valley's greatest baseball coaches. Pompa played football, baseball, basketball, and track at Mission High in the late 1960s, made All-State on offense and defense for Coach Lum Wright's football title team of 1968, and was named TOPPS Baseball All-American. Pompa was drafted by the Montreal Expos and advanced to the AAA level at Winnipeg, later starring in the Mexican League in 1973-74 and playing for the original RGV Whitewings. While a player for the Wings he earned a college degree and started a new path. He began coaching in 1976 and has been head coach at Sharyland, Mission, and most recently, McAllen High. He is nearing the 500-win mark and his 2010 group set a school record for victories (35) and was ranked first in the state at one point. https://www.rgvshof.net/2007-solis-merced daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978513472-7X3C5X9HDMHQP9TSOYC0/2007+Solis%2C+Merced+4x6.jpg Merced Solis a.k.a. Tito Santana - Merced Solis a.k.a. Tito Santana Inducted 2007 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: West Texas State University Professional: Kansas City Chiefs, British Columbia (CFL) Best Known for: Wrestling – Professional b. May 10, 1953 Everyone has heard of the wrestler Tito Santana, but not everyone remembers that before he became famous with the WWF, he averaged nearly 30 points a game at Mission High and also played professional football. Known as Merced Solis back then, he was a big, strong and versatile athlete at Mission in three sports, football, basketball and track. Before graduating in 1971 he averaged 27.9 points per game as a senior and had numerous scholarship offers. He decided to play football at West Texas State University and went on to make the rosters of the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL and British Columbia Lions of the CFL in 1975. Solis is best known as the wrestler Santana, a four-time champ who performed worldwide for 17 years and appeared in his own television cartoon series. He reached the pinnacle of the sport by being inducted into the WWE Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581049308572-83N5CMTZ2PRDEQS60DIZ/2007+Tito+Santana+Andre+Giant.jpg Merced Solis a.k.a. Tito Santana https://www.rgvshof.net/2007-torres-rene daily 0.75 2021-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615499838000-HY1U5AL3L5PTINNYRPAC/photo+rene+army+dress+formal.jpg Rene Torres https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978557001-2LZP68KXF9RVYE7CTJSK/2007+Torres%2C+Rene+4x6.jpg Rene Torres - Rene Torres Inducted 2007 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Sports Historian Torres’ love and noted expertise for historical scholarship had their genesis in a successful high school and college athletic career. Torres was the starting shortstop for the Brownsville High School's state finalist baseball team in 1965, and earned a scholarship to play baseball at Pan American College. He played four years for the Broncs, graduating with a degree in history and later achieving a master's in education with a minor in history. As a scholar, Torres has researched and written about area baseball, conducting numerous presentations and exhibits to civic organizations. In 2002, he was honored as a Notable Valley Hispanic by The University of Texas-Pan American Friends of the Library for his civic and humanitarian activities. In 2008, he was a Jefferson Award Winner as part of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service in recognition of outstanding community service. Torres has been a member of advisory boards for the Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department and the city's school district. He has continued to boost local sports as an intellectual with his historical scholarship and community activities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615499463052-XC5VDUT5UACDYFKNE9BY/Rene+Jefferson+award+caption.jpg Rene Torres https://www.rgvshof.net/2007-villarreal-johnson-magda daily 0.75 2021-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978606930-RMG0R12MPVIUVZ8U4DKT/2007+Villarreal+Johnson%2C+Magda+4x6.jpg Magda (Villarreal) Johnson - Magda (Villarreal) Johnson Inducted 2007 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Brigham Young University Best Known for: Athlete – Track Not only did she make the state track and field meet three times as a high school athlete, but Villarreal also graduated in 1975 as the valedictorian at Edinburg High School. Villarreal Johnson is still a legendary name in Edinburg High track history, having dominated the track for the Lady Bobcats in the early 1970s in the long jump. She still ranks second all-time in that event Valley-wide, and went to four regional meets. After a stellar high school career, she received numerous scholarship offers and eventually settled on Brigham Young University, where she qualified for the NCAA meet and set several school records in her event. https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-barker-davis-rochelle daily 0.75 2021-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615220172835-N111B3R4XK0ACY9L2YY0/Barker+Davis%2C+Rochelle+copy.jpg Rochelle (Barker) Davis - Edith Rochelle (Barker) Davis Inducted 2006 Hometown: Weslaco High School: Weslaco High School College: Texas Woman’s University Best Known for: Athlete – Track b. August 29, 1953 One of the greatest runners in Valley history, Barker-Davis was excellent enough to train for the 1975 Pan American Games and 1976 Olympics. Barker was a three-time state champion in the 60- and 100-meter dash events while at Weslaco High School, and also advanced to state in the long and triple jumps. In 1973 she was an AIAW National Champion in the 100- and 440-meter dash events while running for Texas Woman's University, where she helped win national team titles in 1971 and 1973. Barker was selected to the U.S. Track and Field Association team in 1973 and was a medalist at both the World University Games in Moscow and the Pacific International Games in Canada during that memorable year. Barker trained for the Olympics and Pan Am Games after college, and later coached track and field at Plano High School from 1975-83, producing two state champions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581350129417-E3L2Z9M78KWC63QTY7AL/IMG_4524.jpg Rochelle (Barker) Davis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615220407117-BHT03JDYPIRVQMU4HPO7/Barker+Rochelle+1.jpg Rochelle (Barker) Davis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615220407118-T0IBLZOJYCX9M23NC4TP/Barker+Rochelle+2.jpg Rochelle (Barker) Davis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615220408631-5RLZKBX52U4LC5YVETSB/Barker+Rochelle+3.jpg Rochelle (Barker) Davis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615220409617-N0YMGZVVDU2X7P4LI644/Barker+Rochelle+4.jpg Rochelle (Barker) Davis https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-field-jackie daily 0.75 2020-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579097557633-DO5MYAK9JFFYBNB6Y670/2006+Field%2C+Jackie+4x6.jpg Jackie Field - Jackie Field† Inducted 2006 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: The University of Texas Best Known for: Track Preceding fellow Mission great Tom Landry in the late 1930s, Field went from being a standout in Valley high school football to a successful career at The University of Texas and was eventually drafted by the Pittsburgh franchise of the NFL in 1943. Field, a muscular 190 pounds, played for Dana X. Bible at Texas, joining a program that was among the nation's best in the early 1940s. In 1942, he gained 646 yards on the ground and led the SWC with 58 points scored. Field, a muscular 190 pounds, Field was fast enough to be a member of the UT track team, teaming with fullback Roy Dale McKay as Texas continued its success from the previous season. The Longhorns would win nine times that season, climaxing the run with a victory in the Cotton Bowl, and Field's performance was good enough to earn him All-SWC honors. Field rushed for 117 yards as Texas won easily over Arkansas, 47-6, and then against the Longhorns won 21-7 as Field scored two touchdowns to break a 7-7 tie. Versus vaunted TCU, he was feast and famine both, as he broke through for a score but later fumbled a kickoff leading to the winning tally by TCU in a 13-7 final. Field was the star when Texas beat Texas A&M, with a scintillating 33-yard pass from McKay and a run that will be remembered by Texas fans for all time. Lou Maysel wrote that he roared through a hole in the right side, shook several tacklers off, ran toward the goal, and dragged a man into the end zone. In the Cotton Bowl that season, Field helped Texas beat Georgia Tech, thrilling the partisan Dallas crowd by gathering in a punt at his own 39, sidestepping the first tackler and racing along the hash in front of a cheering Texas bench. Field was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the the 18th round of the NFL Draft in 1943. https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-garza-gil daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579032668818-65EH4FRE05NEIB5T2OPJ/2006+Garza%2C+Gil+4x6.jpg Gil Garza - Gil Garza Inducted 2006 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Ranger Junior College, Pan American University Best Known for: Athletics Administration Garza was a successful coach who has transitioned into a career as one of the leading administrators in South Texas. Garza has been the San Antonio ISD athletic director since 2003, following a superb run in the Valley. In nine years at Edcouch-Elsa and six at PSJA, Garza went 57-37-1 in football and 130-47 in baseball. Under his steady hand, the Yellowjackets and Bears won four baseball titles and one in football. His top football team was the 1990 PSJA squad that went three-deep. In the late 1980s, he'd brought E-E back into the state playoffs for the first time since 1965, setting the stage for the Viva la Maquina Era in which the program became a state power. Known as an expert organizer, a smooth speaker and an effective motivator, Garza continues to bring his home area pride with his work in the Alamo City. https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-garza-leonel daily 0.75 2021-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579033632878-DPN8HNTGM7CC48YH9ITR/2006+Garza%2C+Leonel+4x6.jpg Leonel Garza - Leonel Garza Inducted 2006 Hometown: Los Fresnos High School: Los Fresnos High School College: Trinity University, Livingston (Ala.) University Best Known for: Coach-Football Garza was named All-State in 1967 and led Los Fresnos to three playoff appearances, including a three-deep trip in his freshman year of 1964 under Coach Jerry Tomsu. Garza set a Valley record with nearly 2,000 yards as a senior, with 20 touchdowns, and was good enough to get recruited by Coach Frank Broyles at Arkansas. Garza stayed closer to home, at Trinity University, where he tossed 1,800 yards worth in 1969 before transferring to Livingston (Ala.) University. There, he guided the team to the NAIA national title in 1971. Later, Garza returned to Los Fresnos where he coached his alma mater from 1996 to 2001, winning 41 of 63 games in that span, with four trips to the state playoffs. He is one of those few legends who starred for his high school and later came home to become equally successful as coach. https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-garza-juan-manuel-meme daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579032817582-GDSRRIC6S4EMYDKQOG3D/2006+Garza%2C+Meme+4x6.jpg Juan Manuel "Meme" Garza - Juan Manuel “Meme” Garza Inducted 2006 Hometown: Brownsville High School: St. Joseph Academy College: St. Edward’s University Best Known for: Coaching – Track A superb athlete who became a very successful coach, Garza returned to his home city to make it big. Garza lettered in all sports at St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville, graduating in 1968, after averaging eight yards per carry and leading the district in punting as a senior. At St. Edward’s University, Garza was the Track Athlete of the Year in 1971. He became the head boys’ and girls’ track and cross-country coach starting in 1975 and during his tenure produced 16 state championship teams with 89 individual Texas titlists. Under his watch, eight Bloodhounds earned Division I scholarships. Along with his coaching accolades, Garza was a frequent writer of articles in various track magazines and served many years as the assistant athletic director at St. Joseph. In 2004 he was honored by Brownsville Mayor Eddie Treviño for a lifetime of contributions to city sports. https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-garza-rene daily 0.75 2022-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578601287728-XO0ZBF77RT6RLNVP0VIP/Garza%2C+Rene.jpg Rene Garza - Rene G. Garza Inducted 2006 Hometown: San Antonio High School: Fox Tech High School College: St. Mary’s University, Our Lady of the Lake University Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball b. March 21, 1952 Garza was inducted into the Texas Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010, becoming the first coach from the Rio Grande Valley to do so. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University in 1975 and his Master of Education degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1978. He coached briefly in San Antonio before moving to the Valley and coached boys’ basketball in Weslaco and Mercedes. He moved to Mission High to coach girls’ basketball in 1996 to 2012 for 16 years, guiding them to the first-ever district championship in 21 years. His teams reached 10 state playoff appearances and has been named District, Area, and Valley Coach of the Year numerous times. In 28 years as a coach, he posted an overall coaching record of 518 wins with 298 losses. He retired in 2012 after 36 years in the education profession. Garza has accomplished several recognitions for his service and coaching to the Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA). He was named the Class 4A/5A South All-Star head coach for the TGCA All-Star Game in 2010, and served as assistant coach in 2003. He is the first coach from the Valley to coach in two TGCA All-Star games. Garza served two terms as TGCA Board of Directors 1999-2003 and 2005-2009 and was state chairman of the Basketball Committee in 1998. He received the Texas High School Coaches Association 25 Years of Service award in 2008. He was a founding member of the South Padre Island Coaches Clinic in 1983 and has served as a Coordinator since 1996. He served as President for the RGV Sports Hall of Fame from 2002-04 and has served as a board member since 1995. In 2022, Rene Garza was inducted into the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-mclish-rachel daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579032906703-81KG0V28ZX4I6R2HHY8O/2006+McLish%2C+Rachel+4x6.jpg Rachel McLish - Rachel McLish Inducted 2006 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Bodybuilding One of the first mega-successful female body builders on the world stage, McLish parlayed incredible strength, arresting beauty, and an outgoing personality into a successful career as an actress and author. McLish was raised in Harlingen as Rachel Elizondo and attended Pan American University, where participation in a weight-training class was the catalyst. She rose to international fame as the first winner of the title Ms. Olympia, in 1980 and won the award again in 1982, during a five-year span in world competition when she won four titles, finishing second or third four times. By now a household name in fitness, McLish starred in the 1985 documentary Pumping Iron II: The Women, and appeared in three movies during the 1980s, including Iron Eagle III. She authored a pair of best-selling books on fitness and was named to the International Female Body Builders Hall of Fame in 1999. https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-rodriguez-amador daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578977170475-2CRLXSHSYQ8EZV3JMFD8/Photo+Not+Available.png Amador Rodriguez - Amador Rodriguez† Inducted 2006 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Edinburg Junior College Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball Rodriguez was the first four-sport letterman at Edinburg High in the 1920s, excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track. He earned a total of nine athletic letters. He later participated in athletics and lettered at Edinburg Junior College. He also played, coached and owned several semi-pro baseball teams in the Valley during the late 1920s and early 1930s. His accomplishments were considered outstanding in an era of time where socialization and acceptance of the Hispanic heritage was just beginning. At the time, very few Hispanic students participated in extracurricular activities. The humble Rodriguez, who died in 1973, had seven successful children, including four sons who participated in athletics at Edinburg High. He also had 25 grandchildren. https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-spoonemore-carl daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579033025870-REZ5LRAKMXI653L4PJ0F/2006+Spoonemore%2C+Carl+4x6.jpg Carl Spoonemore - Carl Spoonemore † Inducted 2006 Hometown: Raymondville High School: Raymondville High School College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Coaching Football March 14, 1926-Jan. 19, 2018 After starring for Raymondville High School, Spoonemore was a four-year football letterman for Texas A&I University in the 1940s, captain in 1949. Spoonemore then became one of the state's best high school football coaches and athletic directors, eventually being named to state halls of honor for both positions. He led West Texas power Albany from 1957 to 1961, winning 57 of 65 games including back-to-back Class A state titles in 1960-61. Over five seasons, his teams allowed just 7.5 points per game. At Harlingen from 1965 to 70, Spoonemore won 40 of 58 games for the Cards before leaving to spend 18 years as the Athletic Director at Brazosport from 1971 to 1987. He also coached at Carrizo Springs, McGregor, and Lubbock, compiling a lifetime record of 164-41-4; Spoonemore was elected to the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall in 1990 and the Texas High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 1991. https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-barbosa-tony daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186353324-58BXNYPMVG4EYMDRBH88/Barbosa%2C+Tony.jpg Tony Barbosa - Tony Barbosa Inducted 2005 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Pan American University Professional: California Angels organization, Mexican League Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball b. August 29, 1948 Barbosa was simply unhittable in high school, and the fireballing lefty went on to Pan American College, where set a record for career strikeouts and became the first Bronc hurler to defeat the Texas Longhorns. Barbosa, who would later amass a storied 28-year career as a coach, pitched for Brownsville High from 1965-66, losing only two games during that span and helping lead the Eagles to the title game in 1965. At PAU from 1967 to 1970, he fanned 351 batters in 290 innings with a glittering 1.24 ERA (third in Bronc history). His 125 Ks in 1970 is second in program annals. Barbosa was drafted by the California Angels in the 16th round of the 1970 MLB Draft. After three years in the AAA ranks with the Salt Lake City Angels, Barbosa enjoyed five great seasons in the Mexican League. With Pace, Round Rock, Laredo LBJ, and Brownsville Porter, Barbosa has made the playoffs 13 times and in 2008 was named Coach of the Year at Porter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047036906-DLKP9CQ85XUNVEXS5CBY/Barbosa%2C+Tony+group+Coach+Al.jpg Tony Barbosa https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-castillo-juan daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579060226460-YJGXMPZGBQZR93A23UYS/2005+Castillo%2C+Juan+2x3.jpg Juan Castillo - Juan Castillo Inducted 2005 Hometown: Port Isabel High School: Port Isabel High School College: Texas A&I University Professional: Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears Best Known for: Coaching – NFL b. October 8, 1959 A devastating hitter at tight end and linebacker for Port Isabel High School and then Texas A&I University, Juan Castillo has made an even bigger mark as one of the pre-eminent Hispanic coaches in the NFL. A long-time line coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, Castillo has been at the forefront of the effort to recruit promising minority coaches into the league, entering his 14th season in the pros in 2008. He has also been an assistant coach for the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. He weighed 180 pounds for Port Isabel in 1976, tying a state record with five interceptions in one game that year for the Tarpons. He was named to the All-State team and received a scholarship to play football at Texas A&I University. He was a star on the Javelinas’ NAIA national championship team of 1979. Castillo played with the United States Football League’s San Antonio Gunslingers under former Port Isabel coach Tommy Roberts, and then got into coaching at Kingsville High (1986-89). After five years at Texas A&I (1990-94) he joined the professional ranks as an assistant coach with the following teams (as of 2021): – Philadelphia Eagles (1995-1996), Offensive assistant – Philadelphia Eagles (1997), Tight ends coach – Philadelphia Eagles (1998-2010), Offensive line coach – Baltimore Ravens (2013), Run game coordinator – Baltimore Ravens (2014-2016), Offensive line coach – Buffalo Bills (2017-18), Offensive line coach and run game coordinator – University of Michigan (2019): Offensive analyst – Chicago Bears (2020-present), Offensive line coach https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-denson-don daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186380397-80NJYDSWZSRAW3B0YWI6/Denson%2C+Don.jpg Don Denson - Don Denson Inducted 2005 Hometown: Torrance, Calif. High School: Torrance High School College: The University of Utah Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball The dean of Valley basketball coaches, Denson was a patient teacher who turned out winning squads in Brownsville for more than 30 years. Denson, a native of Torrance, Calif., received his bachelor's degree from The University of Utah, before enlisting in the U.S. Army from 1969-72. He came to visit his parents in the Valley after his military service ended and has been here ever since. After a four-year stint at Cummings Middle School of Brownsville, Denson was hired as assistant coach at Hanna High in 1976. Two years later, he took over as head coach. Denson led the Eagles to more than 600 victories while winning 60 percent of his games. His teams captured six district titles with two regional quarterfinal trips and one berth in the regional semifinals. Hanna made the playoffs 13 of his last 19 years and enjoyed a super season in 2009 with another of his patented juggernauts. Denson's teams were always known for hustle, teamwork, and excellent passing. Along the way, he was named district Coach of the Year seven times. https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-gonzalez-paula daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579060170976-J8WUN8T3B3YEDAXBFUTC/2005+Gonzalez%2C+Paula+4x6.jpg Paula Gonzalez - Paula Gonzalez Inducted 2005 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Coaching – Volleyball b. April 8, 1956 Gonzalez took over the volleyball program at Brownsville Pace High School at age 24 and immediately established a highly successful Viqueen program. After graduating from Harlingen High in 1974 and The University of Texas at Austin, she began her educational career as a coach at Faulk Middle School from 1978-80. Gonzalez began her volleyball coaching career at Pace in 1980 and led the team to 17 playoff appearances through 2008, when she also notched career victory No. 500. The Viqueens won or shared 10 district titles in her tenure at the school, including qualifying for two regional tournaments. The six-time Coach of the Year had a career winning percentage of over .700 when she moved to El Paso to become an athletic director for Socorro ISD in 2010. She moved back to the Valley to become athletic director for McAllen ISD in 2012. Gonzalez has always been active in teaching adaptive physical education, plus outreach through volleyball clinics and volunteer efforts with the Special Olympics and the Lower Valley Cotillion Club. In 2001, she received a prestigious honor when Fox Sports named her one of the “Coaches Who Make a Difference.” https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-hall-james-c-red daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186405019-GI1JUVG5M0NYRFW6HE7N/Hall%2C+Red.jpg James C. Red Hall - James C. “Red” Hall† Inducted 2005 Hometown: Hanna, Okla. High School: Hanna Public High School Best Known for: Coaching – Golf Hall was a lifetime member of the PGA and was instrumental in aiding several successful golf courses and serving with numerous golfing boards. His name is synonymous with golf in the McAllen-Mission area. Hall started as a caddy at Shary Municipal Golf Course in 1935, returning after a stint in World War II to become head pro at Shary. Later, he helped build the McAllen Municipal Course and eventually moved on to the Palmview Course. After that, he was involved with the design of Cimarron Country Club in Mission. During his career, Hall served as president of the Rio Grande Valley PGA chapter and was an official, player, and sponsor of the Rio Grande Valley Open golf tournament. Hall was inducted into the PGA Half Century Club for his lifetime of contributions. He was always willing to mentor young golfers. https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-houghtaling-jim daily 0.75 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1616618283473-95H6WY7PBG6PB5XVW8UR/2005+Houghtaling%2C+Jim_pp.jpg Jim Houghtaling - James E. “Jim” Houghtaling† Inducted 2005 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School Best Known for: Officiating – Football October 31, 1935-November 28, 2000 Houghtaling’s storied career as a sports official kept him on the road and away from his family for 45 years, but his loved ones always knew he was doing the right thing. Houghtaling was the referee who kept officiating longer than most, officiating more than 600 varsity and 1,000 sub-varsity football games, and doing 1,000 varsity and more than 1,750 sub-varsity basketball games. He was one of the rare officials who took pleasure in working sub-varsity competition, because he loved being around young people. A lifelong resident of Brownsville, Houghtaling spent 35 years as an entomologist with the U.S Department of Agriculture along with his annual schedule of officiating assignments. In 2004, he was posthumously given the Curly Hays Officials' Award from the Texas High School Coaches Association, becoming the 17th person in the state to receive that illustrious accolade, and the first from the Valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1616618385960-QB9L75OEJ9QJ08YV9MB3/Houghtaling+Photo0001.jpg Jim Houghtaling https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-lugo-alfredo daily 0.75 2021-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186432978-VV12AGZ97S9G8FI36XB7/Lugo%2C+Alfredo.jpg Alfredo Lugo - Alfredo Lugo† Inducted 2005 Hometown: Donna High School: Donna High School College: Trinity University, Livingston (Ala.) University Best Known for: Athlete-Football Lugo was a bowling ball of a running back who crunched for more than 4,700 yards from 1963-1966, ranking 10th on the all-time state list and first in Valley annals at that time. At Donna High School, he led the Redskins to district titles in 1963 and 1965 under the great Earl Scott, and narrowly missed becoming the first area back to gain 1,000 yards in all four high school seasons. At 5-6, 195 pounds, Lugo had a low center of gravity, incredible strength, and was described by Scott as the best runner he'd ever had. He showed his durability by carrying the ball 745 times in high school and scored 302 points. Both marks are still among the top five in Valley history. Lugo made All-State in 1966 and went to Trinity University, later transferring to Livingston (Ala.) University, where he won a small-college national championship in 1971. https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-rodriguez-zeke daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186455936-ZQD6XBGF7DPPTMD9T6WH/Rodriguez%2C+Zeke.jpg Zeke Rodriguez - Hesiquio “Zeke” Rodriguez† Inducted 2005 Hometown: Rio Grande City High School: Rio Grande City High School Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball February 2, 1939-June 13, 2016 A swift quarterback in football, leading scorer in basketball, and a power-hitting catcher on the diamond, Rodriguez made all-district 12 times total at Rio Grande City High School in the mid 1950s and stands as one of the area's all-time greats. He played football for the legendary coach E.C. Lerma, guiding Lerma's first football team in 1955. Rodriguez was the team's placekicker as well as playing on the defensive side of the ball. Rodriguez chose to concentrate on baseball at the next level, and eventually made NAIA All-America as a catcher out at New Mexico Highlands in 1962. After an outstanding college career, he was a prominent member of the Valley semi-pro champion baseball team called the Ginners in 1963 and soon became baseball coach at Robstown in 1965, leading the Cottonpickers to several playoff appearances, and later did a five-year stint at Harlingen. https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-wise-steve daily 0.75 2020-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186494588-VOV98O4P4GUTGFCNTGMJ/Wise%2C+Steve.jpg Steve Wise - Steve Wise Inducted 2005 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Motocross Racing Wise has achieved a milestone that few professional motocross racers ever get to experience.He became the first privately backed rider to win a national championship in the 125cc class, after beginning his career at age 18. For his achievements in motocross, dirt bike, and road racing, Wise was inducted into the Motocross Hall of Fame in 1992 and the American Motocross Association Hall in 2001. Wise is credited as the only rider to stand in the victory circle in all three major forms of AMA pro racing, with Motocross Action magazine calling him the greatest overall rider in motorcycle racing history. His eight-year career across the gamut of racing genres was highlighted by a title in the Superbikers Championship, and the McAllen resident overcame an injury in 1982 to switch to road racing and capture the award as Professional Athlete of the Year that season. https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-zamarripa-nora daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579059886616-JHKVQAMX7C1I6OGD0H8M/2005+Zamarripa%2C+Nora+4x6.jpg Nora Zamarripa - Nora Zamarripa Inducted 2005 Hometown: Lyford High School: Lyford High School College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball b. March 5, 1956 One of the greatest coaches in state history, Zamarripa advanced from a stellar career as the point guard for Lyford's state-bound basketball team to an extended run as a hard-driving mentor at Edinburg High and Harlingen. She became the first female to sign a letter of intent for a $600 basketball scholarship after the passage of Title IX. She played basketball and ran track for at Texas A&I University. No one has even had to question the desire of Zamarripa who has captured more than 600 lifetime wins and developed dozens of standout lady hoopsters and future coaches. She began at Edinburg High and spent seven years bringing that program to the top with 160 wins and three playoff berths. At Harlingen her disciplined approach has enshrined the Lady Cardinals as the Valley's elite unit. Zamarripa's teams have made 16 playoff trips since 1989, including an appearance in the regional quarterfinals in 2010, and she achieved the 500-win milestone in 2004. Zamarripa has often coached on the state All-Star level and has always been active in Texas coaching organizations. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-anzaldua-amador-mayo daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579061245989-N6WY2E3N3OF4UVUVEGKG/2004+Anzaldua%2C+Amador+4x6.jpg Amador "Mayo" Rodriguez - Amador “Mayo” Anzaldua† Inducted 2004 Hometown: Hargill High School: Raymondville High School College: Del Mar College Best Known for: Athlete – Fast-Pitch Softball July 7, 1934-Dec. 22, 2004 Anzaldua was once the best fast-pitch softball player in the state of Texas, leading championship runs for teams in Raymondville and Edinburg. Anzaldua learned the sport at the age of 10 growing up in Hargill as the youngest of 13 children. At age 16 he became the youngest Hispanic in the league with Corpus Christi, fanning 14 in a 1-0 win that year. After graduating from Raymondville HS and Del Mar College, Anzaldua made a splash in the Valley and continued to pitch in city and church leagues in Corpus from 1951-62. Lifetime, this pitching great won over 200 games, struck out more than 2,000 batters, and hurled 20 no-hitters, finally retiring in 1975. He worked for many years in Edinburg and was honored with a proclamation from the City of Edinburg in 1993, plus induction into the Corpus Christi Softball Hall of Fame in 1999. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-balducci-roxanne daily 0.75 2020-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579579797574-9VVI7NK2A67TIPOFKU6W/2004+Balducci%2C+Roxanne+2x3.jpg Roxanne Balducci - Roxanne Balducci Inducted 2004 Hometown: Fitchburg, Mass. High School: Fitchburg High School College: Amherst University (Mass.), Pan American University Best Known for: Coaching Swimming A 13-time Coach of the Year who is a legend in Valley swimming circles, Balducci started in the business in 1978 and went 37 years before retiring in 2015. Balducci began at Edinburg High where she coached for 10 years, also organizing one of the first club teams in the area. She's been with the McAllen ISD for 22 years, working from the junior high ranks to a hugely successful career at Memorial High School. Coaching swimming, diving, water polo, and club swimming, Balducci has won girls' and boys' district titles 23 times and has mentored 113 individual and 53 relay league champs. At the club level, she has led a steady rush to the South Texas championships, including one state titlist. Along with her 13 Coach of the Year awards, Balducci has twice been named UIL Regional Swimming Coach of the Year. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-capello-juan-jose daily 0.75 2020-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579061428995-J6BXPROGFMLNX9FDM0VK/2004+Capello%2C+Juan+J+4x6.jpg Juan Jose Capello - Juan Jose Capello, M.D. Inducted 2004 Hometown: Elsa High School: Edcouch-Elsa High School College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Football A superb all-around athlete in high school and college, this local legend became even more successful after his playing days were done. Juan Capello lettered in football, basketball and track at Edcouch-Elsa High School, and his performance as salutatorian earned him an academic scholarship to Texas A&I University. He walked on to the Javelina football team and ended up an All-Lone Star Conference performer at center and linebacker. Capello won a national championship in 1959 with Texas A&I University for a team that included 10 Valley natives on the roster. He was a regular on the Dean’s List in college and went on to win honors from the national fraternity, Alpha Chi, later launching a long career in medicine after completing medical school in just three years. Capello owns an orthopedic/sports medicine clinic in Fort Worth. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-edwards-freddie daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578228499930-TBHTNY0U4EH0H6AGA1E1/2004+Edwards%2C+Freddie.jpg Freddie Edwards - Fred “Freddie” Edwards Inducted 2004 Hometown: Donna High School: Donna High School College: The University of Texas Best Known for: Athlete – Football Edwards knew what winning was all about, as he won a state high school title with the Earl Scott-led Donna Redskins in 1961, and went on to play for The University of Texas' 1963 national championship team under Darrell Royal. He was one of the area's all-time great athletes, making all-district multiple times in football and basketball, including All-State honors on the gridiron. He was also a great track athlete in high school and played in the State Basketball Tournament. Starting opposite Tommy Nobis for the Longhorns, the 210-pound Edwards was named Defensive MVP of the 1966 Bluebonnet Bowl; he and Nobis had won a national award as Best Linebacker Duo in 1965, after Texas won the Orange Bowl. Edwards was also a standout for the San Antonio Toros, an outstanding semi-professional team, from 1967-70, before knee injuries curtailed his playing days. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-gonzalez-rogelio-roy daily 0.75 2020-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Rogelio "Roy" Gonzalez - Rogelio “Roy” Gonzalez† Inducted 2004 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Athletics Administration Gonzalez is remembered as a compassionate man who dedicated his life to giving underprivileged children an opportunity to play baseball. A member of the McAllen High baseball team in high school, he graduated in 1963 and played many years of semi-pro baseball in the Valley. He volunteered with the Palm City Lions Club, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and the McHi Quarterback Club, also working with the city's Housing Authority, Gang Task Force and the Texas Lighthouse for the Blind. His greatest awards came in 1994 when he was named McAllen Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, and in 1996 when he received the RGV Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award. Gonzalez served as commissioner of Pony Baseball of Texas, and spent a lifetime helping the youth of the area take part in sports and learn life lessons as well. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-harbour-todd daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579061536973-RMQCT650CMNNYONZHS6X/2004+Harbour%2C+Todd+4x6.jpg Todd Harbour - Todd Harbour Inducted 2004 Hometown: Port Isabel High School: Port Isabel High School College: Baylor University Best Known for: Athlete and Coach – Track Harbour set a state record that lasted for 27 years and has become as successful in the coaching world as he was as a player. Harbour was a standout in track and football for the Port Isabel Tarpons of the mid-1970s, a receiver whose speed made him a dangerous deep threat. On the track, he ran 1:51.70 in the 800 at the 1977 state meet to set the Texas mark. Moving on to Baylor University, Harbour set the school record in the 1,500 and the collegiate world standard with a 3:50.34 mile. He won a silver medal at the 1979 Pan American Games. In 1986, the former Tarpon great entered coaching at Riesel HS, and eventually ended up back at his alma mater in Waco. Harbour has served jointly as the head coach in cross country since 2000 and head track and field coach since 2005. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-hollingsworth-hank daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579061584872-KY5GP4FO9A9Y0SKQ407P/2004+Hollingsworth%2C+Hank+4x6.jpg Hank Hollingsworth - Hank Hollingsworth† Inducted 2004 Hometown: Brownsboro, Texas High School: Brownsboro High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Broadcast Journalism Nov. 30, 1939-March 13, 2018 A teacher and active citizen of Brownsville who also had a true knack for broadcast, Hollingsworth was a legend of the Valley media started at KBOR in 1960 and broadcast local sporting events for 35 years. Hollingsworth was nicknamed “The Voice of Brownsville” for his 24-year career as news, sports, and community affairs director. He called hundreds of football games after earning a bachelor’s degree from Pan American University, and later worked at Porter High School as a government teacher for 20 years. Hollingsworth was behind the microphone in 1962 when Brownsville High played against Warren McVea and San Antonio Brackenridge, broadcast the magical Eagle season of 1969, and also called Brownsville Pace's huge 7-6 football upset in the playoffs against powerful Gregory-Portland in 1980. He was a founding member of the Boys and Girls Club in Brownsville and served with the First Baptist Church and United Way Board of Directors. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-mims-john daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580530629070-GPSU8AQM2511MKKHXU8H/2004+Mims%2C+John+2x3.jpg John Mims - John Mims† Inducted 2004 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Rice University, Trinity University Professional: Los Angeles Rams Best Known for: Athlete-Football (1943-2010) Mims is prime example of a football star who had a strong academic background, and went from a stellar career at Mission High School and Rice University to a long stint as CEO of McAllen Medical Center from 1979 to 1997. The 6-foot-4 Mims was a two-time all-state selection for the Eagles before graduating in 1960, then won numerous awards for the Owls and gained the steady attention of pro football scouts. He was selected by two teams in the 1964 Draft – the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League in the second round and Denver Broncos of the American Football League in the ninth round. He chose the more established Rams. He was the only rookie to make the Rams’ starting lineup in 1965 but soon suffered a serious knee injury that cut short his season and career. Mims returned to college and earned a master's degree from Trinity University in 1970 and launched his successful medical journey after that. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580530695153-Q2TSVJU6CSNEV57C1NZG/2004+Mims%2C+John+1.jpg John Mims https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581007027693-PZKWNS8YY1VVXMX5V2WW/1958+Mims+Mission.jpg John Mims https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580530695975-QFZCB5K3T3IUG70Q5352/2004+Mims%2C+John+2.jpg John Mims https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-vasquez-david daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579061625479-DF53EJTJWKTOF3LWB4A5/2004+Vasquez%2C+David+4x6.jpg David Vasquez - David Vasquez Inducted 2004 Hometown: Santa Rosa High School: Santa Rosa High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coaching – Track Vasquez, who came from a family of 12, was one of the finest athletes in Santa Rosa history. He was a football and track standout for the Warriors in the mid-1960s who later became an outstanding coach and administrator at his alma mater. Vasquez was a three-time All-District pick in football and basketball, and also a star for the Warrior track team from 1964-67, making All-State in hoops for '67 and running for the school's state-champ cross-country squad as a junior. After graduating from Pan American College, Vasquez spent 17 years as a coach at Santa Rosa and then went to La Feria, where he won 19 district titles as track/cross-country mentor for the Lions. He led Santa Rosa to a great football win over state-ranked Port Isabel in 1983. He earned a master's degree in 1984 and later transitioned into administration, ending his career as superintendent at Santa Rosa ISD. https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-vaughan-charlie daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579091514301-H3YTQW9Q8ENYOH4N2EWU/2004+Vaughan%2C+Charlie+4x6.jpg Charlie Vaughan - Charles “Charlie” Vaughan Inducted 2004 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School Professional: Atlanta Braves Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball b. October 6, 1947 Vaughan was the very definition of a pitching phenomenon, making the major leagues at age 18 in 1966 and winning a ball game for the Atlanta Braves in his first start, striking out seven against Houston that September 1966. Vaughan was a dominant left-handed fireballer who helped Brownsville High to the state finals in 1965, striking out 203 batters that season with an amazing 0.39 ERA alongside fellow mound star Tony Barbosa. Vaughan fanned 20 batters in a no-hitter against district rival McAllen High in 1965 and was practically unhittable in high school. He passed up a scholarship to The University of Texas to play professional baseball, and was drafted by the Braves on the fourth round of the 1965 MLB Draft, rising to the big leagues after just 14 months in the minors. Though a series of injuries would curtail his career, Vaughan became the second Rio Grande Valley native (at the time) to make it to the Major League Baseball level after Ted Uhlaender. https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-avila-alfredo daily 0.75 2020-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579290279188-7O8V1F3P9XHN5BFFQFH3/2003+Avila%2C+Alfredo+4x6.jpg Alfredo Avila - Alfredo Avila Inducted 2003 Hometown: Donna High School: Donna High School College: Sul Ross University Best Known for: Athlete-Football Avila was a valuable member of the area's only state championship football team, the Redskins of 1961, he was a standout in basketball, baseball and track high school, playing in a state tournament in hoops and advancing to the state track meet, where he finished sixth in the quarter mile. Then he went on to Sul Ross University, where he starred for the Lobos in the defensive secondary, making Little All-America in 1965 and 1966. In 1964, the Lobos played in the All-Sports Bowl and advanced to the NAIA finals before losing. As a valued member of the squad, the Donna grad set a national record with five interceptions in a '65 game against East Texas State, picked off 14 balls the next season, and for his career claimed 36 interceptions, still a school record. Drafted by the Washington Redskins after his college days, Avila later played for the semi-pro powerhouse San Antonio Toros. https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-capello-robert daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579122018812-HTIPKZR7G3WPGMB8DNNT/2003+Capello%2C+Robert.jpg Robert Capello - Robert Capello Inducted 2003 Hometown: Edcouch High School: Edcouch-Elsa High School College: Texas A&I University, Sam Houston State University Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball b. September 24, 1940 Capello has been the state Legislature has recognized him in its official proceedings four times. Capello is the winningest Hispanic basketball coach in the country with a whopping 970 wins through 2009; he's made the playoffs 25 times in 29 seasons, and received just about every award a coach can get, including having the gym at his alma mater named after him in 2005. An All-State quarterback in high school for Edcouch-Elsa, Capello earned bachelor’s degrees from Texas A&I University and later Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree from Sul Ross University. He started coaching at Mission in 1965 and after five stops he was home in 1980. His teams are known for fierce man-to-man defense and great outside shooting; his 1990-91 Yellowjacket unit set a national record for three-pointers in a season en route to a 31-win season. https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-coleman-bert daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579279597050-ROIN413C8SO8ZJKK8YO2/2003+Coleman%2C+Bert+4x6.jpg Bert Coleman - Bert Coleman† Inducted 2003 Hometown: La Feria High School: La Feria High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Officiating – Football November 12, 1928-July 15, 2007 Coleman was respected was he as a football official on a statewide level. In 1997, he was recognized with honorary lifetime membership in both the Valley and state chapters of the Texas State Officials Football Association. His career spanned nearly 40 years, from 1958 to 1996, as he worked 10 years of college football and six in Mexico, including playoff games in Corpus Christi, the Houston Astrodome, Baylor Stadium and Texas Stadium in Irving. An accomplished athlete at La Feria High School, where he participated in football, basketball, chess, table tennis, track, and drama, Coleman earned a degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1950 and went into the life insurance business for the next 45 years. Along the way he became a well-known presence on Valley football fields and beyond, and an active member of the major statewide officials’ organizations, including SFOA, serving that group as director for a term. https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-crafts-willie daily 0.75 2020-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579118767705-2VYIC1GKXD2ZF6ET5I7F/2003+Crafts%2C+Willie+2x3.jpg Willie Crafts - Willie Crafts† Inducted 2003 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Athlete-Football One of a select handful of Valley exes to make the pros, Crafts was an aggressive 210-pound lineman from Brownsville High in 1957, who went on to play for Texas A&I University's first national title team in 1959. After being named All-Lone Star Conference and Little All-America, Crafts was drafted by the NFL, though his best years came in the Canadian Football League. He had short stints with the Vikings and Broncos, and a longer run with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. He returned to the Valley to coach Port Isabel and Brownsville Porter in the 1970s, taking the Tarpons to the playoffs in 1974. Crafts was selected to the Lone Star Conference All-Decade Team of the 1960s and was at one time a member of the Board of Trustees at Texas Southmost College. He is also in the Texas A&I Hall of Fame and on the school's 50-year team. https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-raders-john daily 0.75 2020-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579279651389-KV7N3O62AJ61DX4P9U4K/2003+Raders%2C+John+4x6.jpg John Raders - John Raders† Inducted 2003 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coach-Golf From his groundbreaking years as a Bronc to a storied tenure as McAllen golf coach, Raders was always at the top of the leaderboard. Raders was an Edinburg High grad believed to be the first golfer to earn a scholarship to Pan American College, back in 1956. He won a series of tournaments including the McAllen Amateur Championship and Texas Citrus Fiesta title, representing South Texas at the National Amateur Public tourney in 1961. Raders then became a coach who worked for 30 years, 25 at McAllen High, and his teams were as successful as he'd been, winning 11 district titles plus two regional and one state championship. Linda Hart (1973 state champ) was his protege. The pinnacle of his mentorship may have been 1988, when the Bulldogs had enough talent to send three teams to postseason play, setting a team stroke record in the process. https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-salinas-lupe daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579290604859-T0T3OYG3K80LRCMSJJXN/2003+Salinas%2C+Lupe+4x6.jpg Lupe Salilnas - Guadalupe “Lupe” Salinas Inducted 2003 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball Salinas will forever be known as the man who pitched the Pan American University into the College World Series in 1971 with a shutout victory. After a superb career at Edinburg High, Salinas was a Bronc from 1970-73, following in a long line of great hurlers at the school; he would win 38 games in college and leave the program ranked No. 1 in career ERA (1.16), complete games, and innings pitched, plus No. 2 in strikeouts. Salinas was a valuable member of the storied Bronc team that made it to the Series in 1971, made All-American in 1972, and was an All-District pick for two seasons. After using up his eligibility at Pan American, Salinas went to pitch in the Mexican Leagues and was a steady winner, taking 20 victories in a year twice, winning Rookie of the Year in the Pacific Coast winter league, and once being traded for five players. https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-villegas-ramiro daily 0.75 2021-09-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579279729815-1L7ICULXS9FTVAIL3KT5/2003+Villegas%2C+Ramiro+4x6.jpg Ramiro Villegas - Ramiro Villegas † Inducted 2003 Hometown: Rio Grande City High School: Rio Grande City High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball (Dec. 16, 1939-Sept. 16, 2021) One of Rio Grande City's coaching legends, Villegas is one of the few Valley mentors to have success in two different sports. Villegas made All-District in football at McAllen High School and honorable mention All-State in basketball before graduating in 1959 and moving on to Pan American College. He was a point guard on the Broncs' 1963 NAIA title team and played on the USA All-Star team touring South America. Turning his attention to coaching after earning a degree from Pan American in 1964, Villegas coached the RGC basketball squad from 1965 to 1982, taking the undersized Rattlers to the state quarterfinals in 1979. On the football field, he coached the Rattlers from 1982 to 1987, taking the team to the area round of the playoffs in 1984. He then became the RGC full-time Athletics Director in 1984, and held the position until he retired in 1997. https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-williams-d-joe daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579290659574-ZUDZ0M8VQ97ZMSJADN2R/2003+Williams%2C+D.+Joe+4x6.jpg D. Joe Willilams - D. Joe Williams† Williams, D. Joe† Inducted 2003 Hometown: Dobbin, Texas High School: Booker T. Washington High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball March 4, 1936-December 15, 2013 In an area famous for its trailblazers, Williams’ case stands out as a unique one. Williams was the first Black to participate in integrated college sports in the state of Texas, breaking the color barrier as a speedy center fielder for the Pan American College in 1954. The graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in McAllen hit .262 to help the Broncs to the Big State Conference title that year and also doubled as a conference track champ in the 880 and mile runs. Moving to El Paso after college, Williams coached Fabens High to three district titles in five years and was an outstanding fast-pitch softball player in the 1950s. He continued playing and coaching until 1980, ending with a successful mound stint with the Old Timers League in 1979. Williams is a member of the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame. https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-aranda-olga daily 0.75 2020-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Olga Aranda - Olga Aranda Inducted 2002 Hometown: La Feria High School: La Feria High School College: Texas Woman’s University Best Known for: Athlete-Track and Field One of the dominant track and field athletes of the early women's era, Aranda set records in the 1970s that still stand. The La Feria native set a national Junior Olympics record in the shot put as a sophomore. Her throw of 47-5.5 is the best toss in area history, and her 140-4 discus effort is seventh all-time. As an underclassman, Aranda was second at the state meet in the shot and third in the discus, ranking second nationally in the former event. She was voted the Outstanding Athlete at the Junior Olympics in 1976, in Seattle, and was a hopeful for the Summer Olympics. At Texas Woman's University, Aranda established several records and was a four-time finalist in the AIAW National Championships. She was also co-captain of the school's basketball team in 1970, later coached at Harlingen and Weslaco, and was named RGV All-Millennium in her sport. https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-avila-richard daily 0.75 2020-03-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579118929521-DH1WSF1R4CERL1RIM5CC/2002+Avila%2C+Richard+2x3.jpg Richard Avila - Richard Avila Inducted 2002 Hometown: Donna High School: Donna High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Athletics Administration Another of the Avila men to make his mark in Valley sports, Avila was a member of the Donna state title football team of 1961 and also played for the school's regional champion basketball unit the same year. In 1962 he helped the Redskins make it to the state basketball tournament and went from there to Pan American University, where he competed in judo for four years and became an instructor in that martial art. As a coach, Avila worked as defensive coordinator for Richard Flores at Edinburg High on seven playoff teams, before returning to his alma mater to lead Donna to two playoff trips. Avila became Donna athletic director for four productive seasons and then made the leap to the same job up in Corpus Christi for six more. He's been active at all levels in sports, including over 30 years as a leading South Texas basketball official. https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-canul-lupe daily 0.75 2020-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581684376433-BYIGK84R63WTJXHM3XRX/2002%2C+Canul%2C+Lupe+2x3.jpg Lupe Canul - Guadalupe “Lupe” Canul Inducted 2002 Hometown: Brownsville High School: St. Joseph Academy College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coach-Baseball As good as he was in baseball, Canul might have been better on the hardwood. Canul scored an amazing 1,221 points and led St. Joseph Academy to a pair of state championships, then made JUCO All-American for Texas Southmost College in 1960, averaging 20 points and 20 rebounds per game. But Canul also carved out a great record in baseball with three seasons as a pitcher and shortstop for Pan American College (1963-65), 10 years as a professional player, and a long, successful stint as coach of the McAllen Bulldogs. Canul coached for the original Rio Grande Valley Whitewings in the 1970s and then went to McAllen, where he coached for 25 years, 14 as head coach from 1982 to 1996. His teams won 202 games and four district titles, and after retirement, Canul began work with the New York Mets as a baseball scout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581684620305-ZKT9OX46944EOOSK3JKY/Canul%2C+Lupe+2.PNG Lupe Canul https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581684621888-ZKDF1HU9WZMDBJ1RPCKB/Canul%2C+Lupe+1.PNG Lupe Canul https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-gerlicki-joseph daily 0.75 2020-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Joseph Gerlicki - Joseph Gerlicki† Inducted 2002 Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Coach-Soccer In 1971 there was no soccer in McAllen. But then Joseph Gerlicki came to town, and the rest is history, as the town has become a hotbed for the sport. Gerlicki founded the McAllen Soccer League in 1971, served as president of the organization for 15 years, and is known as the Father of Soccer in McAllen. He grew up in Germany and started playing the game at age 8, continuing his passion after his family immigrated to the United States in 1951. He eventually began a long coaching career in Chicago and helped organize Mayor Richard Daley's extensive youth program there. In the Valley, Gerlicki coached teams at Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Paul Lutheran, drawing a number of players from Mexico. Before retiring in 1985, he brought a team from Germany to the Valley for an exhibition, tying the circle on a fantastic local career. https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-hinojosa-rene-manuel daily 0.75 2020-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579821232648-OXX3ALWTDBDYAYX636R4/2002+Hinojosa%2C+Rene+2x3.jpg Rene Manuel Hinojosa - Rene Manuel Hinojosa† Inducted 2002 Hometown: Mercedes High School: Mercedes High School Best Known for: Coach-Football Hinojosa was a star for Mercedes High School in 1943 who later became a playoff-tested Valley football coach. He was co-captain of the Tigers in high school and also lettered in track and basketball. After a stint in the U.S. Navy, Hinojosa led Sharyland High School to three straight postseason trips in the late 1950s. Moving to McAllen High, he became assistant football coach and head coach in baseball. The versatile Hinojosa went into administration and became a standout, first as assistant principal at McHi and then as a troubleshooter who headed up the district's drug and crime prevention program along with other efforts. His work with El Divino Redentor United Methodist Church showed what contributions he made to the area on several different levels. For years, Hinojosa worked with the South Texas Striders Track and Field Club at Valley track and field meets. https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-martinez-homer daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614809120873-FUWHW56DBVDC1TYS1NDY/2002+Martinez%2C+Homer.png Homer Martinez - Homer Martinez Sr. Inducted 2002 Hometown: Falfurrias High School: Falfurrias High School Best Known for: Coaching – Track When Coach Homer Martinez talks, the athletes listen because they know he has the track record to go along with his words of wisdom. Martinez was one of the top six milers in the country at Falfurrias High School in the 1960s and went on to become a two-time All-American for Texas A&I University in cross country, a holder of five records. In a coaching career that began in San Antonio and continues to this day in the Valley, Martinez has led teams at Edinburg High and Edinburg North to state meets. https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-moxley-paul daily 0.75 2020-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579097395784-1D2UCU5UMXPNBTUDTAJZ/2002+Moxley%2C+Paul+4x6.jpg Paul Moxley - Paul Moxley Inducted 2002 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School College: Trinity University Best Known for: Athlete-Football Nicknamed “Monster Moxley” during a successful semi-pro football stint with the San Antonio Toros, Moxley was a standout fullback and linebacker for McAllen High in the early 1960s. The Bulldogs won a district title in 1961 with leading rusher Moxley, center-linebacker Donald Ray and halfback Bucky Rodriguez, among others, on the All-District unit. Moxley also lettered in track and field at McHi. The hard-nosed Moxley started for Trinity University at fullback and linebacker, and earned a degree in 1967, when he began his football days for the Toros of the Southern Professional Football League. The team won the championship in 1967 with a number of Valley players in key roles. Moxley entered the U.S. Army in 1968 and stayed in for three years, beginning a banking career under Glen Roney at McAllen State Bank, eventually becoming president and director. https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-rodriguez-camilo-bucky daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614807796273-RXX9PIQ70E738TJ7E2P4/2002+Rodriguez%2C+Bucky.jpg Camilo "Bucky" Rodriguez - Camilo “Bucky” Rodriguez Inducted 2002 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Coaching – Football Rodriguez has been the consummate builder, starting two programs from scratch after resurrecting a few others before that. Bucky Rodriguez knows what it takes to win, and he's helped Valley programs do that since 1967. An All-District running back for McAllen High in 1962, Rodriguez actually became a successful baseball coach before transitioning to football, winning 218 games with Bulldog baseball from 1975-83. On the gridiron, Rodriguez coached Sharyland High School to three district titles in the 1980s, then came back to McAllen to pilot the brand-new Nikki Rowe Warriors in 1990. Later, he got the program at Mission Veterans off the ground in good shape, and when last seen, was the secondary coach for PSJA North in the Raiders' co-district title season of 2008. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614807915090-HIM4EY6XT90BD4UUHDZP/IMG_9233.PNG Camilo "Bucky" Rodriguez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614807915093-SGDFHU1AR5EEMBRJZ4I7/IMG_9234.PNG Camilo "Bucky" Rodriguez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614807918541-9K8UHKV9PU0KS4C4HA5U/IMG_9235.PNG Camilo "Bucky" Rodriguez https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-shuford-john-albert-lefty daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580438927026-YRUEY80XIPQ15XFYIYRM/2002+Shuford%2C+Lefty+2x3.jpg John Albert "Lefty" Shuford - John Albert “Lefty” Shuford† Inducted 2002 Hometown: Rio Grande City High School: Rio Grande City High School College: Texas A&M University Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball November 6, 1922-July 7, 2011 A Starr County star, Shuford helped Texas A&M University win a Southwest Conference baseball title and became a leading member of the local agricultural community. Shuford was quarterback for the Rattlers in the late 1930s. He walked on at College Station and made the baseball team, lettering for the Aggies in 1942, 1943, and 1946. In 1942 he beat Texas 12-0 for the school's first shutout of the Longhorns in 32 years. The Aggies won the Southwest Conference title that season with a 13-2 record. After college, Shuford pitched semi-pro ball in the Class D league from 1947 to 1951 and became the agriculture science teacher at El Sauz. Entering the farming business in 1951, Shuford was active with the Starr County Farm Bureau for 30 years. He received an award as the Texas A&M Lettermen's Association Outstanding G.I. Farmer in 1959. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580439360656-VBQCDP1I0W9AD7FPOHI3/Shuford+2.jpg John Albert "Lefty" Shuford https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580439360801-BMARXR7YQQ879MRI4C51/Shuford+3.jpg John Albert "Lefty" Shuford https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-clark-margaret daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579119546068-00M63VH358GPQRID14NG/2001+Clark%2C+Margaret+2x3.jpg Margaret Clark - Margaret M. Clark† Inducted 2001 Hometown: New Orleans, La. Best Known for: Coaching-Swimming Jan. 1, 1911-May 15, 2005 Margaret Clark and swimming are synonymous in Brownsville. It's that simple. No other person ever has done more for swimming than she did. Clark taught thousands of children and adults how to swim, including some who now have their own learn-to-swim programs. She began teaching swimming in Brownsville in 1930. She received certification as a First Aid Instructor and Water Safety Instructor in 1942 and organized the first Learn to Swim program in Brownsville in 1956. In 1990, she began a water exercise class that she taught past the age of 90. Her service to the Brownsville Independent School District is legendary. She taught for 50 years from 1931-1981 and was always involved in extracurricular activities in the area of physical education. Some of her achievements include organizing the first girls' drum and bugle corps and drill team at Brownsville High School in 1937, and later the Eaglettes in 1964. She co-organized the first Sams Relays track meet in 1964 and helped in track meets at Sams Stadium for 26 years. Three generations of girls who attended BHS and Hanna High and participated on the drill team and Eaglettes will have always fond memories of Ms. Clark's instruction, in which she demanded precision and grace. Clark received two other honors in 2001 aside from RGV Sports Hall of Fame induction. She received the Distinguished Alumnus Award at The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College and spoke at Commencement on May 12. But her crowning achievement and lifelong dream became a reality in 2001 when a new state-of-the-art Olympic-sized indoor natatorium opened for the Brownsville Independent School District: the Margaret M. Clark Aquatics Center. https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-lagrange-charles daily 0.75 2020-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580470939286-3OE0BAINXGNKDPD67FI7/Photo+Not+Available.png Charles LaGrange - Charles LaGrange Inducted 2001 Hometown: Rio Grande City High School: Rio Grande City High School College: Texas A&M University Best Known for: Athlete-Football Despite the fact he never advanced to the state playoffs in football, nobody was a better all-around athlete than LaGrange, an All-State quarterback for Rio Grande City who also excelled in basketball, baseball and track. The 1962 Rio Grande City graduate was All-District twice in football, including All-Valley in 1961, and made All-District seven times in baseball (four seasons) and basketball (three). Add to that his tremendous track and field career (regional long-jump record) and it's no wonder why LaGrange was legendary as a four-sport star. The Rattler hero went to Texas A&M University. For the Aggies, the speedy, athletic star played quarterback for two seasons, leading the Aggies in passing in 1964, eventually switching to defensive back under new coach Gene Stallings in 1965. He was eventually named the quarterback on the Valley Freedom Newspapers All-Valley team of the decade of the 1960s. https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-levermann-gerald-dutch daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Gerald "Dutch" Levermann - Gerald “Dutch” Levermann† Inducted 2001 Hometown: McAllen College: Clemson University (S.C.), Trinity University Best Known for: Athlete – Football December 13, 1925-May 12, 2011 The brother of Wigglin' Walter Levermann, “Dutch” matched the fine pace his sibling set at McAllen High, with an outstanding season in 1942 before transferring to Houston St. Thomas, where he led the team to the TCIL state title in 1943. Levermann was a standout in service football after joining the U.S. Army, playing for the 40th Infantry Division unit and Korean Occupation Forces All-Star Team. After the war, he played a single season at Clemson University and was named All-Conference as a quarterback. In 1947, he transferred to Trinity University in San Antonio where he would make All-Lone Star Conference twice and honorable mention Little-All America in 1948. An all-around back who was also an ace punter, Levermann was scouted by eight NFL teams, signing with the Detroit Lions in 1950. But a knee injury kept him from playing pro football. https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-nyquist-larry daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614360381935-H1YC8VYBOP943D0EUCO3/2001+Nyquist%2C+Larry+2x3.jpg Larry Nyquist - Larry Nyquist† Inducted 2001 Hometown: Lyford College: Brownsville Junior College, North Texas State University Best Known for: Coaching – Track June 16, 1931-March 7, 2013 A football star for Lyford High School in 1947 who started college at Brownsville Junior College and ended a three-year starter for North Texas State University, Nyquist went on to become one of the most enduring presences on the area coaching scene. He began at Rio Hondo High School in 1957 and soon moved into a successful stint in the Harlingen junior high system, where his record was 75-25-6. After replacing Oscar Perez at Lyford in 1976, he compiled a 69-46-4 football record there and at San Isidro High School. Nyquist was one of the few coaches who made the grade with both boys' and girls' sports, as he mentored girls' track and volleyball units at San Isidro, winning 105 of 139 games in volleyball. All told, 70 athletes advanced to track and field regionals under his tutelage. Nyquist was a regular at the UIL state track meet in Austin for many years. https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-owens-carl daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Carl Owens - Carl Owens Inducted 2001 Hometown: Oceanport, N.J. Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball Owens’ first Harlingen High School team posted a program record for wins, and he never backed up too much from that standard of excellence on the court. A native of Oceanport, N.J., he attended Dallas Hillcrest High School and graduated in 1963. After college and serving as an assistant coach, he got his opportunity at Kennard High School. After winning a Class A state championship at Kennard in 1973, Owens arrived in Harlingen in 1978 and quickly led the Cardinal basketball team to a place among the Valley's elites. That first squad won 29 games and seven times more did Owens-led Redbird teams triumph at least 28 times in a year, including 33 in 1993. Meticulous and hard-driving, the winner of more than 800 career contests was a steady contributor at conferences, writing articles, and developing a handful of assistants who went on to become head coaches in the area. A five-time Coach of the Year with eight district titles, Owens demanded excellence from his teams, and is recalled as one of the dominant coaches of any era in Valley basketball. https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-rodriguez-pikey daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707288082-S0UQJOUCCXCQ1XIAMVZ8/2001+Rodriguez%2C+Pikey+4x6.jpg Pablo A. "Pikey" Rodriguez - Pablo A. “Pikey” Rodriguez Jr. Inducted 2001 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Sports Journalism Rodriguez has been a ubiquitous figure in Valley sports since the 1970s, with a tireless work ethic and a knack for detail and organization-building. He wrote about area sports for 35 years and has received a plethora of awards, including the Texas High School Coaches Association award for excellence in 1987. That same year he was nominated for Sportswriter of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. In his career, he has covered thousands of sporting events across just about every sport and has been an integral part of the foundation and growth of the RGV Sports Hall of Fame. Along the way, Rodriguez has contributed countless articles in statewide newsletters and been on many committees working to earn All-State honors for Valley players. Rodriguez was co-founder of the RGV Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-salazar-dolores-a-lolita daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820765538-TNOWO5C6C7ZTLE1587BT/2001+Salazar%2C+Dolores2+2x3.jpg Dolores A. "Lolita" Salazar - Dolores A. “Lolita” Salazar† Inducted 2001 Hometown: San Benito College: North Texas State University Best Known for: Coaching – Track Salazar had a belief that success and rewards are not established by the number of titles and trophies one can collect, but instead by the comradeship and good sportsmanship developed and nurtured within a team effort. But Salazar also helped Valley athletes win their share of accolades in a 35-year teaching and coaching career. The San Benito native earned two college degrees at Texas Woman’s University and set about establishing women's sports in an era when there were few. Beginning at Brownsville High in 1961, she boosted girls' volleyball and basketball in the area, coaching Hanna to four district titles in track and field. She worked with the Valley's first triple-jump champ (1972) and later developed a Texas title winner in the high jump (1983). She retired from coaching in 1983 but continued to teach until 1996. https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-villarreal-vic daily 0.75 2020-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579143699523-Y88WB85RL5XGW94ZJ4ZR/2001+Villarreal%2C+Vic.jpg Vic Villarreal - Vic Villarreal† Inducted 2001 Hometown: Weslaco College: Sul Ross University Best Known for: Boxing Villarreal was one little guy nobody wanted to mess with, and for good reason. Villarreal was a 119-pounder in high school but he became a boxing champion in the U.S. Navy and later a hard-hitting 147-pound linebacker at The University of Colorado and then Sul Ross University. The Weslaco native moved to Edinburg at age 13 and graduated from Edinburg High School in 1943, joining the Navy, where he won 15 fights and a championship bout in Hawaii. He joined Edinburg friend Frito Flores at Colorado and later ended up at Sul Ross University playing football and graduating in 1953. Villarreal became a leading coach and proponent of boxing in Brownsville, and also served as athletic director for the federal government, traveling as away far as Germany to teach boxing. He also served as Golden Gloves tournament director in El Paso before retirement and is recalled as one of Texas boxing's biggest names. https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-weekley-tom daily 0.75 2020-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579121062415-116165QWYN9WU6ZSFCPB/2001+Weekley%2C+Tom+2x3.jpg Thomas "Tom" Weekley - Thomas B. “Tom” Weekley Inducted 2001 Hometown: Austin High School: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School Best Known for: Officiating Football Weekley played football for Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School for three years and for two in the Navy, but most people know him as one of the respected officials in the field. Weekley officiated more than 900 football games in the Valley and 57 more at the collegiate level during his career as a ref. Some memorable games include the 1978 Class 3A state title game with Sealy's Eric Dickerson, plus the 1982 Texas High School All-Star Game and the 1972 Mexican national championship contest. He was a certified USA Track and Field official for 27 years and put in 22 years at the state meet. Weekley officiated almost 100 meets including three NCAA Division I events and 22 Texas Relays. Weekley has been active in officials' organizations and served as state president of the Southwest Texas Officials Association for three years, and director of the Palm Bowl in McAllen. https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-avila-celestino daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579292959976-IF3DOR5FU4RH7HB0ZF4T/2000+Avila%2C+Celestino+4x6.jpg Celestino Z. Avila - Celestino Z. Avila, M.D.† Inducted 2000 Hometown: Donna College: Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Athlete-Football Dec. 3, 1941-July 31, 2017 A member of the famous Avila family of Donna, Avila was a three-year letterman in football, baseball, basketball and track with the Redskins from 1958 to 1960. In his senior year, Avila earned honorable mention All-State honors in football for Coach Earl Scott's first Donna High School team. Continuing his football career at Southwest Texas State University, he was a three-year letterman for the Bobcats as an end, making All-Lone Star Conference three times. Avila earned second team Little-All America accolades in 1963 and 1964. Avila became a coach in football and basketball before enrolling in medical school at Monterey Tech, where he played several sports and eventually earned his doctorate degree in medicine. A long-time team physician at a number of Valley schools, Avila was a regular on the sidelines for more than 40 years and is active in a number of area civic organizations. https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-guerra-jesus-chuy daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293033160-X56FLJHQPPVDGOF99UHT/2000+Guerra%2C+Jesus+4x6.jpg Jesus "Chuy" Guerra - Jesus “Chuy” Guerra Inducted 2000 Hometown: Roma High School: Roma High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Athlete – Basketball One of the area's first Mexican-American basketball stars, Guerra went on to a great career at Pan American University and an equally stellar run as an administrator in his hometown. Guerra helped put the tiny town of Roma on the map by leading the Gladiators to the state tournament in 1972 as a high-scoring guard, averaging 26 points per game. He was named All-State three times and All-America twice. After graduating from Roma High School, Guerra earned a scholarship to Pan American University, he became a starter under legendary Coach Abe Lemons, thrilling local crowds with ball-handling and passing skills. The Broncs had two 20-win seasons with Guerra at the helm and he won the Lou Hassel Award as top student-athlete. After college he coached for 14 years at Roma and Mercedes, winning six district titles, and later became principal and superintendent at his alma mater. https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-leal-garcia-felipe daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293085933-IPUSO36VP8PKI4PSB82U/2000+Leal+Garcia%2C+Felipe+4x6.jpg Felipe Leal Garcia - Felipe Leal Garcia† Inducted 2000 Hometown: Matamoros, Tamps., Mexico College: Pan American University Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball May 29, 1943-September 15, 2010 Leal-Garcia was an outstanding pitcher who rose to the Class AA level, after an All-American career with Pan American College. Leal was one of the best the Broncs ever had. His nickname was “Brazo Fuerte,” which is Spanish for “Strong Arm.” A Matamoros native who was a basketball and baseball star for St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville, the right-hander scored more than 1,000 points in basketball. He went from Texas Southmost College to Pan American College in 1963, enjoying three outstanding seasons. He became the second Bronc to toss a no-hitter, set a program record for wins, and led the team to the NAIA playoffs in 1963 and 1964. He still ranks fourth in wins for the Broncs, third in strikeouts. After his Bronc career, during which he made All-America twice, Leal was signed by the California Angels in 1967 and pitched at Class AA level in Albuquerque. He played for several teams in the Mexican Leagues from 1965 to 1979. https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-lerma-john-c daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579122071956-VA2W1F8F6NOO9U3GEVV2/2000+Lerma%2C+John+4x6.jpg John C. Lerma - John C. Lerma Inducted 2000 Hometown: McAllen College: Baylor University Best Known for: Coaching – Football b. July 6, 1947 One of the most well-traveled coaches in history, Lerma is an expert program builder who worked for six Valley high schools, including his alma mater of Rio Grande City, and also led the charge at Robstown and Corpus Christi Miller. He was a standout high school athlete at McAllen High School who played in the Texas State All-Star Game in 1964, after having starred for his father, Coach E.C. Lerma, at Rio Grande City High School. From there he went on to letter three years for Baylor University in the Southwest Conference. Lerma got his first head coaching job with Port Isabel in the early 1970s, and later plied his trade at Donna, McAllen Memorial, Brownsville Hanna, RGC, and Harlingen South. He also coached in New Mexico. https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-maldonado-frank-pancho daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293142247-8QD8FNJ5505XXM6C3KI5/2000+Maldonado%2C+Frank+4x6.jpg Frank "Pancho" Maldonado - Frank “Pancho” Maldonado† Inducted 2000 Hometown: Berclair College: Brownsville Junior College Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball July 1, 1924-May 2, 2018 Maldonado was long-time multi-sport contributor knew a thing or two about competing at the highest levels. He was an all-district performer in two sports at Brownsville High in the late 1930s and later played professional baseball before settling in as a winning coach and organizer of local leagues. Maldonado made All-District in basketball and football for the Eagles from 1939 to 1941 and played both sports at Brownsville Junior College after graduation. In 1946 he earned a tryout with the New York Giants, was a semi-pro star in the late 1940s and went back to college as a baseball player for Colorado University in 1949-50. He organized the Rio Grande Valley Semi-Pro Baseball League in 1956 and in 1959 coached McAllen High to its first district title in baseball in 10 years. Maldonado then joined the playoff-bound Brownsville High School football team as a varsity assistant in 1962. https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-rodriguez-b-r-poppy daily 0.75 2020-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293227229-GCDU70HM4RKIKBM3NPKJ/2000+Rodriguez%2C+B.R.+Poppy+4x6.jpg B.R. "Poppy" Rodriguez - B.R. “Poppy” Rodriguez Inducted 2000 Hometown: Pharr College: Sul Ross University Best Known for: Coach-Football Although he weighed just 160 pounds in high school, Rodriguez was one of the toughest running backs in Valley history, starring for PSJA on the Bears' back-to-back state finals squads in the early 1960s. He rushed for more than 1,700 yards as a senior in 1962, and the rugged, durable back set a Valley mark that season with 44 carries in one game, including 12 totes in a row. He went on from there to attend Sul Ross University, where he became the Lobos' second-leading receiver on the undefeated juggernaut of 1965. Rodriguez served as the athletic director of McAllen Independent School District for 28 years from 1984 to 2012. He took the job after piloting McAllen Memorial through its first four seasons starting in 1980. He has been active in all the Valley coaching and administration associations and has also been on the board of directors for the McAllen Parks and Recreation since 1984. https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-vela-ernesto daily 0.75 2020-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293326797-00ND6CI6KARU34MMEAXE/2000+Vela%2C+Ernesto+4x6.jpg Ernesto V. Vela - Ernesto V. Vela† Inducted 2000 Hometown: Rio Grande City College: Sam Houston State University Best Known for: Athlete-Football One of the finest athletes ever to come out of Starr County, Vela enjoyed a great career in football and high school administration. He made history as the first All-District football player from Rio Grande City High, back in 1953, and also the first Rattler to receive a college scholarship, after winning nine total letters in baseball, football and basketball during an excellent prep career. At Sam Houston State University, he lettered three times as a two-way starter, helping the undefeated Bearkats to the 1956 Lone Star Conference title. In later years, Vela became a trusted administrator back home, as the leader of the migrant program at RGC and also PE and elementary coordinator. He directed plant maintenance and oversaw overall operations for the district, finishing with successful stints as assistant principal at the high school level, and as the Rattlers' athletic director for three years. https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-woodson-winston-teresa daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293421228-0GNXPQ8PRIVKD2NKFC43/2000+Woodson+Winston%2C+Theresa+4x6.jpg Teresa Woodson Winston - (Woodson) Winston, Teresa† Inducted 2000 Hometown: San Benito College: Abilene Christian University Best Known for: Coaching – Track Dec. 23, 1946-June 24, 2006 A volleyball winner at six different Valley schools, Woodson was a four-time Coach of the Year and won the Texas High School Sports Magazine Coach of the Year Award in 1996. Woodson graduated from San Benito High School in 1964 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree at Abilene Christian and a master's degree from Memphis State University. She returned to the Valley to take the helm at Weslaco, PSJA, McAllen, Sharyland, McAllen High, and Hidalgo high schools. At Sharyland in the 1980s, Woodson’s girls took the district title four times in eight years, and at McAllen, the Lady Bulldogs notched eight crowns and advanced to regionals on four occasions. The Valley Coach of the Year winner for 1994, 1996, 1998 and 1999 burnished her legacy by helping build the program at Hidalgo High to cap an awesome career as a volleyball teacher. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-butler-kalencki-jeanie daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579485666801-DNN9E945SI6QCGE5X5EL/1999+Butler+Kalencki+Jeanie+2x3.jpg Jeanie Butler Kalencki - Jeanie (Butler) Kalencki (Butler) Kalencki, Jeanie Inducted 1999 Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete – Golf Butler Kalencki comes from a leading golf family and has carved out her own niche in the sport through the years, as a successful amateur player and supporter of the links Valley-wide. Kalencki has been around the game her entire life, as the daughter of Hall of Famer Tony Butler and the wife of Buddy Kalencki, long-time golf professional at the Harlingen Country Club. She was a fantastic golfer for decades, starting with Odessa Junior College, where she was part of a championship team, and continuing at Centenary College in Shreveport, La., where she was the intercollegiate individual champion in 1968. Butler Kalencki won the Texas State Women's Amateur Championship in 1964 and the International Four-Ball Title in 1996, and has been the Rio Grande Valley's women's champ three times. She was a semi-finalist five times at the state amateur tournament. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-crane-corky daily 0.75 2020-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579149116591-L5KFOH95Z82ATX7QQQST/1999-crane-corky+2x3.jpg Corky Crane - Everett L. “Corky” Crane Inducted 1999 Hometown: Banquete College: Texas A&I University Best Known: Athlete-Football One of the smallest stars in the Valley football galaxy, the 135-pound Crane played football at Lyford high School was nonetheless a tough man who won numerous Golden Gloves titles as a fighter and became Lyford's greatest star on the gridiron. Crane was swift and strong enough to make All-District as a freshman in 1950, and won the honor four straight years, as a halfback and quarterback. He led the Valley in scoring in 1953, earned second-team All-State, and guided the Bulldogs to the state quarterfinals with an 11-1 record. In the 14-6 loss to Deer Park that season, Crane ran a punt back 85 yards for a score to keep Lyford close. He played four years at Texas A&I University despite his lack of size, lettering from 1954-57 and enjoying some fine moments as a defensive back and halfback. The versatile Crane was also a noted stage actor while at Texas A&I. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-garcia-gonzalo daily 0.75 2021-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579607381615-1ZRX8ZIFNYRWS3IZGG1B/1999+Garcia%2C+Gonzalo+2x3.jpg Gonzalo Garcia - Gonzalo Garcia† Garcia, Gonzalo Inducted 1999 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School Best Known for: Athlete-Football DOB-May 8, 2006 When the Lone Star Conference celebrated its 75th season in 2006, one of three Valley players honored was Garcia, a Brownsville High star from the 1940s who went on to make All-American at Southwest Texas State. He played for great Coach Bob Martin at Brownsville High in the mid-1940s, making All-South Texas as a two-way lineman. Then he went to San Marcos to make All-LSC four straight seasons for the Bobcats and was selected to the Williamson's Little All-America squad for 1949. Garcia had offers from the Giants, Steelers among other pro teams, but chose to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1950. He later became a leading coach in Brownsville, including a nine-year stint at his alma mater under Joe Rodriguez and then as an assistant with new school Hanna in 1974 and as first coach at the new Pace High from 1975-77. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-martinez-carmen daily 0.75 2021-02-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579819999107-T83DGA8N8PPLPEDFQYCQ/Photo+Not+Available.png Carmen G. Martinez - Carmen G. Martinez Inducted 1999 Hometown: USA Best Known for: Coaching-Volleyball Martinez was one of a handful of men and women who were instrumental in fighting for gender equity in athletics and stand as trailblazers of the Rio Grande Valley. Martinez was the first volleyball coach in Mission High history, running the show for 27 seasons and winning nearly 500 games with the Lady Eagles. Her success as a teacher of girls in the sport speaks for itself. Martinez had a career record of 479-186, and along the way her girls captured an even dozen district championships and added eight appearances in the regional tournament to the school's trophy cabinet. Martinez was named Coach of the Year several times locally during her illustrious tenure, also taking the award at the area level and once at the regional level, as Tip of Texas Volleyball Association Coach of the Year. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-ramsey-jody daily 0.75 2020-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579487005716-NLS9B2P4VP6BAIB4VXXS/1999+Ramsey%2C+Jody+2x3.jpg Jody Ramsey - Jody Ramsey† Inducted 1999 Hometown: Brazosport Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball Ramsey’s story is one of the most poignant one in local legend, of a brilliant baseball player and fine person cut down in the prime of life. Ramsey was an outfielder out of Brazosport High School who led the Pan American Broncs in eight offensive categories in 1972. The co-captain of the team hit .346 with 64 hits, 47 runs scored, four triples, and 17 steals, which was enough to earn All-District honors playing for Coach Al Ogletree. But he would die tragically when electrocuted on the field while helping with maintenance on the baseball field in February 1973. Ramsey was shy but well-liked by his teammates, and the school showed its love for a fallen soldier by building Jody Ramsey Stadium, which was the home for Bronc baseball from 1974 to 2000. The university annually recalls this fine student-athlete with the Jody Ramsey Award, given to the outstanding baseball senior at the conclusion of each season. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-rivas-homero daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579487714087-R5YZGBYPFH4GEGV53KI7/1999+Rivas%2C+Homero+2x3.jpg Homero Rivas - Homero Rivas, M.D. Inducted 1999 Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Sports Physician Rivas was a sports physician for the McAllen ISD for more than 20 years and has also served as a ringside physician for more than 20 years in professional and amateur boxing. He has been very active in the community in such sports as mountaineering, fencing, cycling, spelunking, yachting, running, hunter jumping, polo and scouting. Rivas retired as a physician in 2018. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-sanchez-joe-r daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707009382-PI3KAO1VK4UAJCK3XEY5/Photo+Not+Available.png Joe R. Sanchez - Joe R. Sanchez† Inducted 1999 Hometown: Del Rio High School: Del Rio High School Best Known for: Athlete-Football A Del Rio native who made his name at Sul Ross State University, Sanchez became one of Rio Grande City's most valuable assets, and after a 37-year career in coaching and administration, the district renamed Rattler Stadium after him in 1993. Sanchez became known as the Iron Man of Sul Ross in the late 1940s, an All-Lone Star Conference selection who garnered Little-Al America mention in 1948 for the Lobos. He was the Most Valuable Player in the Tangerine Bowl that season as Sul Ross enjoyed one of its finest campaigns. He was named to the Sul Ross Hall of Fame for his accomplishments at the college level. Sanchez was good enough to be signed by the Los Angeles Rams, but an injury curtailed his playing career. He went into coaching instead and transitioned into administration in several roles for the Rio Grande City Independent School District. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-vela-efraim daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707058997-THU0OQGI5I6JZPGO7BVZ/Photo+Not+Available.png Efraim Vela - Efraim Vela Inducted 1999 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Coaching-Football and Athletic Administrator One of the outstanding Valley football players of the 1940s, Vela was a three-year letterman for Coach Chuck Moser at McAllen High School, earning All-District 14-2A and All-Valley honors in 1948 as a punishing center and linebacker his senior season. Vela went on to play football and baseball with the Bronchos of Edinburg Regional College in 1949 and 1950. At ERC he was a home-run hitter and a stalwart for the offensive line in the last years of that program's existence, later transferring out to Alpine to play football for the Sul Ross State Lobos. He spent 15 years as a successful coach at the junior high level for Rio Grande City before being named to replace legendary Rattler leader E.C. Lerma as head coach and athletic director in 1966. He led the Rattlers for four seasons, from 1965 to 1969, and spent many years in administration after that. https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-white-howard-a-andy daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579819673728-98BZJ0X24W0MHS9FGNMG/1999+White%2C+Andy+2x3.jpg Howard A. "Andy" White - Howard A. “Andy” White Inducted 1999 Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Coaching – Track and Field White started coaching in the Valley in 1958 at Edcouch-Elsa High School. His outstanding career then took him to Mission, La Joya, Edinburg and then he spent four years as Athletics Director for the Brownsville ISD. At Edinburg High School, his track teams won four district championships and one regional title in 1971. His teams won several major meets and many of his athletes competed at the regional and state track and field meets. https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-butler-tony daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820243570-VWH1JADOV856FPLTQGR3/1998+Butler%2C+Tony+2x3.jpg Tony Butler - Tony Butler† Inducted 1998 Hometown: Ganado High School: Ganado High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Athlete-Golf April 19, 1908-Dec. 9, 1979 Every Valley golfer knows the Harlingen course, but few knew that Butler was a superstar who was so skilled that he specialized in playing entire rounds using only a four-wood. Butler was the first golf coach at The University of Texas in 1927. He turned professional in 1928 after a stellar career at UT, winning the 1931 Texas PGA title and finishing in the money six straight times that year. In 1932 he was second in the Texas PGA Tourney played at the Harlingen Country Club, and came to work in the Valley the next year. Butler, known as King of the Short Knocks, for top-rate putting, taught and played for decades after that, operating a pro shop and entertaining with his superb golf shots. He was instrumental in the growth of the Rio Grande Valley Open and Life Begins at 40 Tournament and was honored for lifetime excellence when the Harlingen Municipal course was renamed Tony Butler Golf Course in 1973. https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-esquivel-carlos daily 0.75 2021-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579148714146-4B9995CZ84DNU1JDGXT8/1998+Esquivel%2C+Carlos+4x6.jpg Carlos Esquivel - Carlos Esquivel† Inducted 1998 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Texas A&M University Best Known for: Athlete – Football One of the stars of Edinburg High School's great playoff team of 1953, Esquivel led the Valley in scoring in 1952 with 136 points as a sophomore and came in second in 1953 with 126. He and quarterback Jimmy Wright led Coach Billy Cooper's team to the state quarterfinals where the Bobcats lost on penetrations to Port Neches after tying 7-7. Esquivel rushed for over 1,100 yards in 1953 and earned a spot at Texas A&M University. People still talk about the six-touchdown performance he exploded for against Brownsville that season; Esquivel was accorded All-State honors in December 1953. He played part-time for the Aggies under legendary Coach Paul Bear Bryant, with his biggest moment coming on a game-winning touchdown pass against LSU in 1956. After his playing days, Esquivel became a football coach, and guided his alma mater, Edinburg High, for five seasons starting in the late 1960s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614693646553-2UXWPO9N28AN540L5TZ1/1998+Esquivel%2C+Carlos.jpg Carlos Esquivel https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-hernandez-alfredo-boxer daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820275521-6EOIXM3U1OZFRZFLWS4Y/1998+Hernandez%2C+Boxer+2x3.jpg Alfredo "Boxer" Hernandez - Alfredo “Boxer” Hernandez† Inducted 1998 Hometown: Pharr High School: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coaching – Track b. 1947 – d. June 7, 1999 Hernandez was a rugged fullback for the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School in the early 1960s, and went on to forge a successful career as a track and football coach. Hernandez was part of the back-to-back semifinal units under Coach Charlie Williams in 1962 and 1963, as a 150-pound back who ran for all he was worth. After graduating from Pan American College, he worked at Edinburg CISD on the junior-high level and then did short assistant stints with McAllen and San Benito before gaining a head coaching job with St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville in 1972. Hernandez led the Bloodhound track team to the TCIL state meet in 1973 and then left the school to become defensive coordinator at his alma mater under Max Cantu. His long career as a track coach paid off, as McAllen High School eventually named its practice field after him to commemorate Hernandez' contributions. https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-levermann-margaret daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Margaret Levermann - Margaret Levermann† Inducted 1998 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Athlete – Bowling March 10, 1923-November 20, 2005 Levermann was an outstanding bowler between 1951 and 1983 in the Valley. She captured solo singles titles while a junior at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School and a senior at McAllen High School. She was a member of the Valley Bowl 300 Club and placed first in many leagues during her career. https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-levine-lewis-lew daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579491570889-VK5V28VXZYJIUSUT4AUK/1998+Levine%2C+Lewis+2x3.jpg Lewis "Lew" Levine - Lewis “Lew” Levine† Inducted 1998 Hometown: Harlingen College: The University of Texas Best Known for: Athlete – Football October 1, 1929-December 22, 2017 A two-sport star at Harlingen High School from 1942 to 1946, Levine advanced to The University of Texas, where he was a squad man for two seasons and earned a letter in 1950 for the Longhorns. Levine was a 190-pound back with great speed. Playing for Coach Weldon Stoney Phillips, he earned All-South Texas honors as a senior for the Cardinals. In basketball, he was All-South Texas in 1945 and played in the State North-South All-Star Game in 1946 in El Paso. He led the Cards to an undefeated District 14-2A basketball title in 1945. At Texas, he played fullback and halfback for the Longhorns, seeing ample playing time in 1950, including against Texas rival Oklahoma that season. In later years, he became a patron of the arts in his native Harlingen, working with the Chamber of Commerce and developing the city's Art Forum. https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-nixon-charles daily 0.75 2020-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579491744907-PCJB4F3WG8A52SOER9NY/1998+Nixon%2C+Charles+M+2x3.jpg Charles Nixon - Charles M. Nixon† Inducted 1998 Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Bullfighting It is not surprising that Nixon eventually became one of the best bullfighters in South Texas, given his successful exploits as a football player and boxer while in high school. Nixon played football for the Mission Eagles, making the All-District team as a guard in 1947. In 1946 and 1947, he further proved his toughness by competing in the Valley Golden Gloves competition and more than holding his own. After graduating from Mission High, he officiated football for six seasons into the early 1950s, and by 1961 had practiced the art of the toreador well enough to fight as a professional in Texas and Mexico for 10 years, from 1961 to 1971, taking part in more than 25 bullfighting events. Nixon is one of the more interesting stories in Valley history, having succeeded in a trio of the most manly and demanding sports. https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-pemelton-billy-gene daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579492163666-LIT8Q4Q689RO08Y9M3OY/1998+Pemelton%2C+Billy+Gene+2x3.jpg Billy Gene Pemelton - Billy Gene Pemelton Inducted 1998 Hometown: Mercedes High School: Mercedes High School Best Known for: Athlete – Track and Field One of the greatest track athletes in Valley history, Pemelton placed eighth in the pole vault at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo and later went on to win an amateur championship in that difficult sport. Pemelton played football and was a standout member of the track and field team at Mercedes High School, setting the table for an amazing run culminating on the world stage. For the Tigers he won the state Class 2A title in 180-yard low hurdles in 1960. He set an American indoor record in the pole vault in 1964 with a successful clearance at 16 feet, 6 inches, and earned a spot on the U.S. national team for Tokyo with a third-place effort at the trials that spring. After finishing in the Olympic top 10, Pemelton won the 1965 Amateur Athletic Union competition at Madison Square Garden in New York City. https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-soza-guadalupe-lupe daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579148119686-L0O6T405NBVD0HAITBY4/1998+Soza%2C+Lupe+4x6.jpg Guadalupe "Lupe" Soza - Maria Guadalupe “Lupe” Soza Inducted 1998 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Coaching – Track b. October 25, 1948 Soza was an outstanding high school track and cross-country coach between 1974 and 1987 at McAllen High School. Soza also coached summer track with numerous South Texas Area qualifiers, Regions IX AAU qualifiers, National AAU qualifiers and TAAF state qualifiers. https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-ward-albert-al daily 0.75 2021-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579819452099-KS6EMLKX8FCW718Z0VSU/1998+Ward%2C+Al+2x3.jpg Albert "Al" Ward - Albert “Al” Ward † Inducted 1998 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School Best Known for: Athletics Administration Oct. 24, 1927-Jan. 3, 2021 Ward was one of the most accomplished figures in Valley football history, eventually rising to become the general manager of the New York Jets after a superb high school career in Brownsville. Ward, a four-year letterman, scored 203 points in two seasons for Brownsville High School of 1944-45, making All-South Texas in 1944 after rushing for 200 yards in three separate games and totaling 124 points, best in the Valley. In Brownsville's playoff loss to San Antonio Jefferson in 1945 he scored the only touchdown. Ward went into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1946 and later became an award-winning sports writer with the Daily Texan at The University of Texas. Ward parlayed his media skills into a position as public relations director for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s, becoming a vice president as well. He guided the Jets from 1975 to 1977. He was the AFC Assistant to the President from 1977 to 1988, and NFL Alumni Chief Operating Officer from 1988 to 1990 before he retired that year. https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-cantu-juanita daily 0.75 2021-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Juanita M. Cantu - Juanita M. Cantu† Inducted 1997 Hometown: Roma Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball A Roma High School graduate who returned to her alma mater to coach volleyball and basketball, Cantu captured nine district titles in basketball, won three bi-district championships, two area titles and advanced to the regional semifinals once. In volleyball her teams were regional semifinalist twice and a regional finalist once while winning four district championships. https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-conover-brooks daily 0.75 2020-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Brooks Conover - Brooks W. Conover† Inducted 1997 Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Coach-Football Conover’s brief Valley career was highly successful, and he used it as a springboard to great exploits upstate after a collegiate career at Texas A&M University. From 1938-40, Conover led the Brownsville High School to a 21-10-7 record, including a two-deep playoff appearance in 1939, when the team went 6-1-3, defeating Robstown in bi-district before losing to Austin High, 20-6. From the Valley, Conover eventually ended up at Cleburne in North Texas, where he led the Yellow Jackets to back-to-back state finals berths in 1957 and 1958. A fiercely competitive taskmaster, he coached future UT luminary David McWilliams in high school and was named to the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1989 for his impressive body of work. The stadium in Cleburne was renamed in his honor after he retired. Conover's son, Brooks Jr. coached in the Valley for two years. https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-cortez-robert daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579666033559-JPLLZO7PQ2396BSF93AU/1997+Cortez%2C+Robert+4x6.jpg Robert Cortez - Robert Cortez Inducted 1997 Hometown: San Benito College: Texas A&M University Best Known for: Athlete-Football One of the hardest-charging players in Valley history, Cortez was a two-way star for San Benito High School in the early 1960s and went on to a successful career as a starter at Texas A&M University, where he played in the 1967 Cotton Bowl for Coach Gene Stallings. At 5-10 and 190 pounds, Cortez was a crunching runner and dominant linebacker, helping the Greyhounds to the state semifinals as a sophomore in 1961, teaming in the backfield with long-time friend Jim Helms. At Texas A&M, Cortez began his career on the fifth string for the Aggie freshman but his hustle and toughness soon earned him a starting role. He started three seasons on the varsity defense. After graduation, became a long-time coach and administrator. Cortez was an assistant on Monterrey Tech's 1974 national title team, and later served as athletic director at San Benito for seven seasons. https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-flores-adrian daily 0.75 2020-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579527270487-EM7MJ5ER8KTMOMOCHJII/1997+Flores%2C+Adrian+4x6.jpg Adrian Flores - Adrian Flores Inducted 1997 Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Officiating Baseball Flores started his long and illustrious career as an umpire in the late 1960s. He was elected president of the Rio Grande Valley Umpires Association and was an outstanding leader of the group for many years. Flores was instrumental in getting three-man mechanics into area high schools. https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-labar-wayne daily 0.75 2020-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Wayne Labar - Wayne Labar† Inducted 1997 Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Football A hard-running Harlingen back who became a standout offensive guard for Texas A&M University, Labar transitioned from athletics into a career as a school board member and regional leader for Valley farmers and ranchers. A three-time All-District pick during his time at Harlingen High (1954-56), Labar was a 210-pound fullback who scored three touchdowns as a sophomore against San Benito and was the only sophomore named on the All-District unit. Labar crashed for an average of 6.5 yards per carry as a senior. He played for Coach Jim Myers at Texas A&M University, starting at guard for three years after spending some time as a blocking back in 1958, and was good enough in the classroom to make honorable mention All-Southwest Conference Academic in 1960. Elected to the Harlingen CISD Board of Trustees in 1976, he later served as executive director of the Cotton and Grain Producers Association for over a decade. https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-platt-jimmy daily 0.75 2021-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615410347147-TTQWCKHUVMU8G7AD7NZW/1997+Platt%2C+Jimmy.jpg Jimmy Platt - Jimmy Platt Inducted 1997 Hometown: Houston Best Known for: Coaching – Track b. May 26, 1936 Platt built a track and field dynasty wherever he coached and is probably best remembered for his awesome coaching run at Weslaco High. Platt started coaching after earning a master's degree from The University of Houston and came to the Valley in 1971. He coached McAllen High to seven track championships before moving crosstown to McAllen Memorial. There he guided the Mustangs to their first league crown in school history and moved on. After stints at Hobbs, N.M. for one year and The University of Texas-Pan American’s men’s and women’s track programs for one year, Platt took over the the track program at Weslaco High School. In 18 years there, his teams were awesome, winning 11 district titles in 12 seasons at one stage. He had 18 seniors receive college scholarships. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615474742390-8MR6GZDCZOJQ3ZA03PK0/10587966_707325739341371_1516021111_o.jpg Jimmy Platt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615474750383-AVXBFVW0JB5WYSUGRLEP/12798939_1229380557076607_2810800707529797017_n.jpg Jimmy Platt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615474756226-WN4DFLE856B3LEZNIBRY/90319449_3534017293279577_7279374228418199552_n.jpg Jimmy Platt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615474767398-IADBTHHJUA9LWCLZXQRV/12841287_1061665717224562_7491504852837726779_o.jpg Jimmy Platt https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-rabke-mary-lee daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820439065-34AWWSOMD8Y777O5YD6J/Photo+Not+Available.png Mary Lee Rabke - Mary Lee Rabke, Ph.D.† Inducted 1997 Hometown: Tivoli Best Known for: Coaching – Tennis In a time where women's sports were seldom a factor, Rabke was a pioneer who worked tirelessly to offer opportunities, using her academic training and organizational skills to build a successful venture. Rabke was director of women's sports at McMurry College in Abilene in the early 1950s and eventually came to the Valley, where she taught at Pan American College and took over the foundling women's athletics program. She organized the first Lady Broncs' tennis team in the mid-1950s and is still the all-time leader for coaching wins. Rabke was also active in creating clinics and was a long-time member of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Educators, a national body charged with popularizing women's sports. Along with tennis, she coached volleyball and brought badminton and fencing to the program as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047774591-FTNKPWHG0NTA4QQYQ4N7/Rabke+1.jpg Mary Lee Rabke https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047773079-5S82HE2WN101WHRZV7H7/Rabke+2.jpg Mary Lee Rabke https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047775099-MTMBSN8JFB8RMRT2TZAO/Rabke+3.jpg Mary Lee Rabke https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047779853-F5VMWHH1756JPUB9VLBJ/Rabke+4.jpg Mary Lee Rabke https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1596405642567-XHTQ0CNXXV3A7F7CIDBM/Rabke%2C+Mary+Lee.jpg Mary Lee Rabke https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-stevenson-w-m-buster daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579818911042-0R8R9A3H73PO8DTRMX8M/1997+Stevenson%2C+Buster+2x3.jpg W.M. "Buster" Stevenson - Walter M. “Buster” Stevenson† Inducted 1997 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School Best Known for: Officiating – Football November 23, 1926-January 29, 2016 Stevenson was one of the speediest football ends in the state during his high school career, and later took a turn in coaching, eventually becoming a noted civic leader in Brownsville. Stevenson made the All-South Texas team in 1944 playing for the Brownsville High School Eagles of Coach Bob Martin, also starring on the track as a champion sprinter. He graduated from Southern Methodist University and spent two years in the U.S. Air Force, coming back home to coach football for several years while also turning his attention to city affairs. As president of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, an active member of the Brownsville Jaycees, and tireless volunteer with Charro Days, Stevenson was one of the forces behind Brownsville's economic and cultural growth for decades. He also found time to become a trusted Valley football official for 25 seasons, rounding out a fabulous all-around career in area sports and business. https://www.rgvshof.net/1996-casso-teresa daily 0.75 2020-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579816095528-D1UVWPTRGOQ8B83IGY5I/1996+Casso%2C+Teresa2+4x6.jpg Teresa Casso - Teresa Casso Inducted 1996 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Coach-Basketball The dean of Valley girls' basketball coaches, Casso was a hard-driving taskmaster who has always had great love for her kids. McAllen High School’s Casso won 841 games in a magnificent career that ended with retirement after the 2009-10 season, following 33 super years. She ranks in the top 10 statewide for victories and posted 29 winning seasons with McAllen. Her clubs went to the postseason 25 times with 15 district titles and an amazing nine separate seasons of at least 30 victories. Casso was named Valley Coach of the Year numerous times and once was tabbed the FCA Coach of the Year statewide. The 2010 winner of the Robert Vela Lifetime Achievement Award from Valley Freedom Newspapers, she is the winningest Hispanic girls' coach in Texas, having carved out a reputation for tough love that her players have invariably found valuable later in life. https://www.rgvshof.net/1996-etnire-stanley daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820554436-LQ4OO5VEPO3C6GSA1S5L/Photo+Not+Available.png Stanley Etnire - Stanley Martin Etnire† Inducted 1996 Hometown: Mercedes High School: Mercedes High School College: Manchester (Ind.) College Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball Etnire was a key member of Mercedes High School’s first district football championship in 1932 under Coach Herman Schmalzreid. After graduation, Stanley Etnire played quarterback and several other positions for Manchester (Ind.) College. Returning to the Valley, Etnire took the helm of the Mercedes football team for four seasons (1947-50) and led the Mercedes basketball unit to an overall record of 91 wins and eight losses during that span. He then became one of the best junior high coaches in area annals. In 27 seasons with Travis Junior High in McAllen, Etnire won a total of 651 games in football and basketball, finally retiring in 1983 at age 71. https://www.rgvshof.net/1996-garza-leo daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Leo Garza - Leo Garza Jr.† Inducted 1996 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: St. Mary’s University, Pan American College Best Known for: Coach-Baseball Garza, a native of Mission, was a three-year letterman in four sports – football, basketball, track and baseball, earning numerous all-district and honorable mention honors during his high school career. He was also selected All-State in softball. He attended St. Mary's University and Pan American College before playing semi-pro baseball in the Valley and winter baseball in Mexico for 14 years. As head baseball coach at Brownsville High School and La Joya High School, Garza compiled a 242-120 won-loss record. His record while coaching the La Joya, he was 136-56 (.708 percentage) included winning six district, five bi-district and two regional titles. https://www.rgvshof.net/1996-helms-j-w-jake daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580095057157-B623958L4XP8XL7G8D6F/1996+Helms%2C+Jake+2x3.jpg J.W. "Jake" Helms - J.W. “Jake” Helms† Inducted 1996 Hometown: San Benito High School: San Benito High School College: Centenary (La.) College, Texas A&I University Best Known for: Coaching – Football Helms led the 1961 San Benito High School to the Class 3A state semifinals and compiled a 62-18-5 record from 1957-63, with two district titles in the Valley's toughest league. His son, Jim, was one of the best Valley players ever. As a player, he had been a standout end for Centenary College and then Texas A&I University in the late 1940s, and before coaching at San Benito he was a football assistant and head track leader at Brownsville Junior College from 1948-51. Then came stints at Laredo and Freer, where he coached a state semi-final Buckaroo squad in 1954. A successful coach at all levels, Helms left high school with 95 career wins and became an assistant for Texas A&M University from 1965-68, serving as freshman coach or three seasons and also handling Aggie recruiting for the South Texas region during that time. https://www.rgvshof.net/1996-helms-jim daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579710027696-X4XQS40EXM72Y40EITF8/1996+Helms%2C+Jim+2x3.jpg Jim Helms - Jim Helms Inducted 1996 Hometown: San Benito High School: San Benito High School College: The University of Texas Best Known for: Athlete and Coach-Football Helms was a stellar runner for San Benito High School in the early 1960s who went on to help The University of Texas win two bowl games in his college career. He rushed for more than 3,000 yards with 12 touchdowns of over 50 yards as a Greyhound, and led the team coached by his father, Jake, to the Class 2A state semifinals as a junior in 1961. A 10.1 sprinter in the 100, Helms was a breakaway threat who made all-district three times, including on both offense and defense in two successive seasons. At Texas, he played both halfback and safety for Darrell Royal. Helms was the head coach at Cameron (Okla.) University in the 1970s, and was an assistant with Texas, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Illinois and Oklahoma State before returning to the Valley to coach Brownsville schools Porter and Rivera, along with Harlingen South. He coached Porter to a district championship in 2004. https://www.rgvshof.net/1996-leal-alex daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579694302757-YHFSFTIE128LBFRVKBQE/1996+Leal%2C+Alex+4x6.jpg Alex Leal - Alex Leal Inducted 1996 Hometown: Santa Monica High School: Lyford High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Coach-Football No one has won more Valley football games than Alex Leal, who surpassed the 200-victory mark in 2007. As of 2020, Leal is the winningest coach in Valley history. His career record is 224-105-6 in an illustrious career that ended in 2010. He coached five teams, including two stints at Raymondville, a team he guided to three straight district titles from 1975-77. He's also taken Port Isabel, McAllen High, and Harlingen South to the playoffs, carving out a reputation as a great motivator who is truly loved by his student-athletes. Leal's Port Isabel squads set a record in the 1980s for consecutive district wins, and then he led the McAllen High Bulldogs to the Class 5A quarterfinals in 1992. As the first coach at Harlingen South High School, he coached them to their initial league title in 1995, and advanced to the third round of the playoffs. Leal has represented the Valley in a number of overseas clinics and was elected to the Texas Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2000. https://www.rgvshof.net/1996-pedraza-luz daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579694247117-ZIJA3DKO5UU09FFTPS8T/1996+Pedraza%2C+Luz+4x6.jpg Luz Pedraza - Luz Pedraza Jr. Inducted 1996 Hometown: Donna High School: Donna High School College: Sul Ross State University Best Known for: Athlete-Football Pedraza was a winner at quarterback everywhere he went, and starting with high school and extending through college into the semi-pro ranks. With Donna High School in 1961, Pedraza led the Redskins to the state title by engineering five straight wins on the road. At Sul Ross State he guided the Lobos to a 10-0 season and a bowl game in 1965, gaining Little-All America honors. Then, he paced the San Antonio Toros to a league title in 1967, making the All-TFL team after the championship run during which he completed 60 percent of his passes in 21 total games. Pedraza was a great passer and leader who could tuck it and run when the situation called for it. He won titles and individual awards for every team he ever played for and went on to several coaching stops after his playing days ended. https://www.rgvshof.net/1996-reichert-tommy daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579995262240-YUT036EMVGDN5LYS6ZF9/1996+Reichert%2C+Tommy+2x3.jpg Tommy Reichert - Tommy Reichert† Inducted 1996 Hometown: Pharr High School: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School Best Known for: Officiating – Football Reichert organized the first set of Valley officials to travel around the state as a unit, initiating that idea in 1960 and officiating the Texas state football title game with his crew the next season. At Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School, Tommy Reichert played football, basketball and softball while raising award-winning animals in FFA. He later competed in semi-pro softball and became a referee in 1954. In the Golden Era of Valley officials, he worked on a crew with Jerry Stephens, C.L. “Smokey” Boyle, and M.F. “Red” Connor; the quartet ended up as inductees in the RGV Sports Hall of Fame together. A long-time member in good standing of the Southwest Football Officials Association, Reichert eventually used his clout as one of the leaders of the effort to build the then brand-new Bear Stadium. In the Tri-Cities, people are still grateful for the tireless work he did as a player, official, and civic-minded contributor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581048010344-A3D3GGVFL7XXEIR7A2I6/Reichert%2C+Tommy.jpg Tommy Reichert https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-ayala-ernesto daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579607805116-EMTPLRUFXBDGWBZOZ3TM/1995+Ayala%2C+Ernesto+4x6.jpg Ernesto Ayala - Ernesto Ayala Inducted 1995 Hometown: Pharr Best Known for: Officiating – Football Ayala was a football official for 50 years. https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-cantu-ramon daily 0.75 2020-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579148548282-E8YX7S4MO4579HNG96X8/1995+Cantu%2C+Ramon+O+4x6.jpg Ramon Cantu - Ramon O. Cantu† Inducted 1995 Hometown: Rio Grande Valley Best Known for: Promoter-Baseball Known as Mr. Baseball, Cantu was a major promoter of baseball in the Valley for more than 20 years, and one of the leading stewards of the strong semi-pro tradition in the area. Cantu helped shape the careers of hundreds of local baseball players by sponsoring and organizing teams Valley-wide. He was part of the push to create the Harlingen Capitols in 1950 and also led the Edinburg Merchants in the mid-1950s. He backed the famed Joe Davis Ginners in 1963 when they won the National Baseball Congress state title in Lubbock, a team led by Felipe Leal and Johnny Flowers, among others. Cantu was instrumental in the success of the Salazar Grocery All-Stars, who were dominant in the late 1960s in the South Texas League of the National Baseball Association. https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-cleckler-mary-jeanne daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579995780989-MV3ZGJNLPEHV0IN8QMS9/1995+Cleckler%2C+Mary+Jeanne+2x3.jpg Mary Jeanne Cleckler - Mary Jeanne Cleckler† Inducted 1995 Hometown: Breckenridge College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball Feb. 22, 1935-Sept. 2, 2017 Cleckler was a graduate from Texas A&I University with a physical education/health degree and began her coaching career in the Valley. She spent most of her coaching career at Mary Hoge Junior High School in Weslaco. Cleckler taught girls’ basketball, volleyball and track and field. Cleckler's teams won countless district championships, tournament championships and track meet championships. For more than 30 years, Cleckler was an official/statistician for the Texas State High School Girls Basketball Tournament and the annual Texas Relays which determined the state's track and field championships. In addition to her coaching career at Weslaco High School, in 1978 Cleckler spent eight years as Athletics Director at Round Rock ISD. Her enthusiasm for great competition and great sportsmanship translated into all the athletes and students she mentored. Cleckler semi-retired and moved back to Weslaco after enjoying her time in the central Texas area. Weslaco ISD dedicated its new Cleckler-Heald Elementary School in 2005 to honor Cleckler and her fellow coach/lifelong friend Dessie Heald. https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-drew-tom daily 0.75 2021-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579607858856-FO03IX2MGO1SZ84PYG2L/1995+Drew%2C+Tom+2x3.jpg Tom Drew - Tom Drew † Inducted 1995 Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Sports Journalism October 27, 1940-April 20, 2021 One of the Valley’s greatest journalists ever to pick up the pen, Drew was a key contributor to the media and sports information world. Drew was the second representative of the media to be named to the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, after a career that took him from Huntsville to the college ranks and then the pros, finally landing him in the Valley, where he became a legend for his work ethic and way with words. Drew worked in Sports Information Director for West Texas State University when that school had NFL greats Mercury Morris and Duane Thomas, and then did a turn with the Los Angeles Stars of the ABA as director of media relations. He moved to the Valley in the 1960s and began as Sports Editor at the Edinburg Review. He joined The Brownsville Herald in 1969 as Sports Editor. From there, he jumped to the Valley Morning Star in 1972 as Sports Editor first and and was Sports Director of Valley Freedom Newspapers from 1974 to 1991, once earning Sports Writer of the Year from the Texas High School Coaches Association. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1619462600583-EGMNAZKSMFOESHUTHEAF/Drew%2C+Tom+-+black+%26+white+newspaper+photo.jpg Tom Drew https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1619462628616-CNBMN2YBGA45RMGEUGZ7/Tom+Drew+1972.jpg Tom Drew https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1619462663188-S0A27W9DFRRQYUASNSYC/Tom+Drew+1972.jpg Tom Drew https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-estevis-camilo daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581857669739-JAVI292I3WCMR2DPKRRD/1995+Estevis%2C+Camilo.jpg Camilo Estevis - Camilo Estevis Inducted 1995 Hometown: Alamo High School: P-SJ-A High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball A hard-throwing 205-pound right-hander, Estevis was a standout at Pan American College in the late 1950s who went on to post some great years in the minor leagues. An Alamo native, Estevis hurled for the Broncs from 1956-58 and then went to the pros, winning Texas League Pitcher of the Year award in 1963 with 16 wins, a 3.74 ERA and 196 strikeouts for the Albuquerque Dukes, a minor league team in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. That year he amassed a league-high 238 innings and struck out 13 batters against El Paso in a game in May. The year before, Estevis had won 19 games for three teams, with a 3.06 ERA pitching part of the year in the American Association for the Omaha Dodgers. He later went to Mexico and had two strong seasons with the Vera Cruz Aguilas. Estevis won 52 games in the American minors with a 3.68 ERA and 449 strikeouts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581857921628-3T6QCFVUN4C13QSGT9HK/Estevis%2C+Camilo.jpg Camilo Estevis https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-guerrero-oton-j-tony daily 0.75 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569171223-SMSJ8HYTAG8HK99LQYGA/1995+Guerrero%2C+Tony+4x6.jpg Oton J. "Tony" Guerrero - Oton “Tony” Guerrero Jr. † Inducted: 1995 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Pan American College, Texas A&M University Best Known for: Coach-Golf Oct. 29, 1924-Jan. 2, 2021 A veritable giant among men in Valley sports history, Guerrero was an original Bronc great. After starting at the university as golf coach and professor of Physical Education in 1969, he worked for 28 years to turn out fine athletes and successful students. Along the way Guerrero earned admission into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame and the All-American Intercollegiate Golf Coaches Hall of Fame, and it all started in Mission. As a 140-pound high schooler, Guerrero blocked for the great Tom Landry on the Eagles' 12-0 regional football champ, and later attended college at Pan American College and Texas A&M University, playing golf for both schools. After a stint in the Navy, Guerrero was a school principal for 10 years before joining the Broncs. Until his retirement in 1997, Guerrero developed a number of standout golfers and guided the golfers to an even better record in the classroom. https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-jackson-lucious-luke daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579627688599-MAE5HKP0Y8ATKQS07RQV/1995+Jackson%2C+Luke+4x6.jpg Lucious "Luke" Jackson - Lucious “Luke” Jackson Inducted 1995 Hometown: San Marcos College: Pan American College Best Known for: Athlete – Basketball Of all the greats in Bronc sports history since 1927, Jackson stands alone. Jackson helped put Pan American College on the map by leading Sam Williams' team to the 1963 NAIA national championship. An athletic 6-9, 240-pound inside force from San Marcos, Jackson ranks second in program history in points and rebounds and is first in a number of categories. After winning a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo in 1964, Jackson moved on. He was the second overall pick in the 1964 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, and eventually played a prominent role in the team's world championship in 1967. During an eight-year career in the pros, Jackson averaged 9.9 points and 8.8 rebounds including 14.8 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game as a rookie. When the Sixers won it all in 1966-67, he averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds in the playoffs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613057951598-EINS0ZLIZNO64YOI2EVB/Jackson%2C+Luke.jpg Lucious "Luke" Jackson https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-parker-lloyd daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579715188001-38W6II2G776RB8F461JS/1995+Parker%2C+Lloyd+4x6.jpg Lloyd Parker - Lloyd Parker† Inducted 1995 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Raymondville High School College: Navy, Southern Methodist University, Rice University and Trinity University Best Known for: Coach-Football One of the fastest men in Valley history, Parker was a record-setting hurdler and star football player at Raymondville High School in the early 1940s before running and playing collegiately at four schools. Parker graduated from Raymondville High School in 1943. He was all-district in football for three years, played basketball, won the state championship in 200-yard low hurdles in 1943 (this tied the national record), and won district singles in tennis. He played first-string half-back for Southern Methodist University in 1943. He joined the Navy and won Southwest Conference in track at Rice University and played halfback for Navy under the leadership of Paul Brown. Parker was an Olympic hopeful for 1948 but persistent injuries stalled the effort. After the war, he played another year of football for SMU and two years for Trinity University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University and a master’s degree in 1953 from Baylor University. Parker went into coaching and after brief stints at Mineral Wells High School and Trinity University, Parker led Brownsville High School from 1954 to 1964, winning 63 total games including a district title and playoff win in 1962, when the Eagles were ranked in the state's top 10. Parker left Brownsville after the 1964 season for Texas City, where his squads won 41 games through 1972, with a 10-2 mark in 1967. Parker was president of the Texas Association of High School Coaches in the early 1970s. https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-evans-norm daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579817518009-JEOH1DQTJZ7F6V6UH852/1994+Evans%2C+Norm+2x3.jpg Norm Evans - Norm Evans Inducted 1994 Hometown: Santa Fe, N.M. High School: Donna High School College: Texas Christian University Professional: Miami Dolphins, Houston Oilers, Seattle Seahawks Best Known for: Athlete – Football b. September 8, 1942 Evans is one of the most successful Valley football stars ever, having made two Pro Bowls for the Miami Dolphins in a 13-year professional football career. He played for legendary coach Earl Scott at Donna High School and was a two-sport star in football and basketball, before graduating to join the squad at Texas Christian University in 1960. He made All-Southwest Conference for the Horned Frogs in 1963. Evans, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound guard in his day is the only player in NFL history to be chosen in two expansion drafts. The Dolphins took Evans from the Houston Oilers in the 1966 AFL Expansion Draft. He played 10 seasons in Miami from 1966 to 1975, and then was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1976 NFL Expansion Draft. He played three seasons with the Seahawks. In 2007 he was named to the Dolphins All-Time Team, after having played in three Super Bowls for Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. He also played with the Houston Oilers and Seattle Seahawks. Evans is a long-time member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and made a name for himself as an author and organizer for that organization. https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-hirst-gerald-jerry daily 0.75 2021-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569383017-VRTWM3C514Q1UY9EYL9C/1994+Hirst%2C+Gerald+4x6.jpg Gerald "Jerry" Hirst - Gerald “Jerry” Hirst † Inducted 1994 Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla. Best Known for: Coaching – Tennis Jan. 22, 1942-March 16, 2021 Hirst’s Harlingen High School tennis teams won 29 district titles, dominating the Valley like no other program, and he taught from experience as a former high school and college star. Hirst first made his name in Oklahoma, winning a state doubles title with his brother in 1958, and eventually becoming the top singles player in the state in 1960. Later, his career at East Texas State earned him a place in that school's hall of fame and then he came south to begin coaching. In 39 years, Hirst coached basketball, football, and track, but his best he saved for tennis, leading Harlingen High School to legendary status. The high point came in 1991 when the Cardinals reached the state finals and he was named state Coach of the Year. Hirst has been instrumental with the South Texas Tennis Coaches Association and is still an active player on the court. https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-hudson-jim daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580012187582-IE0PZUML04YNTC3LTVUH/1994+Hudson%2C+Jim+4x6.jpg Jim Hudson - Jim Hudson† Inducted 1994 Hometown: Steubenville, Ohio High School: La Feria High School College: The University of Texas Professional: New York Jets Best Known for: Athlete-Football March 31, 1943-June 25, 2013 Hudson was one of the most dominant athletes in Valley annals, an All-State basketball player who set a state track meet record in the discus (169 feet, 9 inches) and went on to a solid NFL career with the New York Jets. Hudson did it all for La Feria High School from 1957-1960, in football, basketball, and track, and then helped The University of Texas win its first national football title in 1963, leading the Longhorns with five interceptions. He lettered three times, starting at quarterback but moving to defense midway through college. He was undrafted but signed by the New York Jets and played six seasons (1965-70), and his interception right before halftime in Super Bowl III keyed the Jets' thrilling 16-7 upset victory over the Baltimore Colts. Hudson made 14 lifetime pro interceptions, including a team-high five in 1968, and is one of only six Valley athletes to play in pro football's championship game. https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-longhofer-jesse daily 0.75 2020-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569314878-3RZ1YELHST7NSV1WZ4MY/1994+Longhofer%2C+Jesse+4x6.jpg Jesse Longhofer - Jesse Longhofer Inducted 1994 Hometown: Higgins High School: Donna High School College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Coach-Football Longhofer was a coach who won 108 games and an administrator who built Harlingen High School into one of the state's Top 10 athletic programs. Longhofer was a winner all the way. From the tiny Panhandle town of Higgins, Longhofer moved to Donna and was on the Redskins' team that advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs in 1951. He helped Texas A&I University win its first NAIA title, in 1959, and ended his career in 1960 as co-captain. After a brief stint at Uvalde, Longhofer came to Harlingen in 1964 and served as head coach from 1971 to 1975 and 1985 to 1992, and was the school's Athletic Director in between He won eight district championships with Harlingen, compiled a record of 108-32-3, and piloted the Cards to the state quarterfinals in 1989. Known as a fierce competitor who had the total loyalty of his coaches and players, Longhofer was highly successful at every level. https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-mckone-jim daily 0.75 2021-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579817640274-C6QMNU5RSEHVDJ5KV3BO/1994+McKone%2C+Jim+2x3.jpg Jim McKone - Jim McKone† Inducted 1994 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Sports Journalism March 13, 1934-July 26, 2014 A virtual walking encyclopedia of Pan American University Bronc sports, McKone was one of the great media stars of the Valley for 40 years. McKone was a 1951 graduate of McAllen High School who began as a sports writer while in high school. Eventually, he earned a job at the San Bernardino Sun for whom he covered Super Bowl I. He became the sports information director for Pan American College in 1969 and established himself as an affable publicist with total recall and an unbeatable work ethic. His compelling Bronc Diary entries were must-reads for decades. While known as a first-rate sports writer, McKone also did post-graduate academic work and published two novels, adding to his amazing resume. A prolific writer who has won numerous awards through the years, McKone was instrumental in building the RGV Sports Hall of Fame and continuing to support Bronc athletics. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047307776-RCBQ8SHN7DULLKLZQBZ5/McKone%2C+Jim+and+Jerri.jpg Jim McKone https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-sauceda-daria-m-dora daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579818495263-YBSE6VT4LCHKQ2ZF1UGP/1994+Sauceda%2C+Daria+2x3.jpg Daria M. "Dora" Sauceda - Daria M. “Dora” Sauceda† Inducted 1994 Hometown: Donna High School: Donna High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Coaching – Track Sauceda was a 1959 graduate of Donna High School where she enjoyed an excellent career as an athlete and coach. In her high School career, she starred in basketball, volleyball, softball and track. Sauceda earned her bachelor's degree from Pan American University. She came from a family of four brothers and seven sisters and taught 31 years in the Donna school system. Sauceda's coaching experienced covered 29 years. She won 37 straight games as junior high girls' basketball coach and won four district basketball championships from 1988-93 at Todd Junior High in Donna. Her teams also six district basketball championships as the high school varsity girls’ coach from 1970-78‚ and coached nine district championship girls' teams in track and sent two competitors to the state meet. Dora coached volleyball and softball in junior high in the early 1970s, the drill team at Donna for more than a decade, officiated for 15 years during the six-player girls basketball era, worked at the state basketball tournament for five years and helped at the state track meet for 22 years as marshal, field judge, curve inspector, discuss and shot-put supervisor. https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-smith-frank-jr daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579818570645-POGODCFHQ8K6JZZLL8GO/1994+Smith%2C+Frank+2x3.jpg Frank Smith Jr. - Frank Smith Jr. Inducted 1994 Hometown: Edcouch-Elsa High School: Edcouch-Elsa High School College: Rice University Best Known for: Athlete – Football Smith was one of the Valley's finest running backs in the mid-1950s, and went from there to Rice University, where he lettered and was touted as one of the SWC's most promising prospects, as a speedy 210-pounder. Smith played for Coach “Lum” Wright at Edcouch-Elsa High School and in 1956 earned second team Class 2A All-State honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association as a running back. He was also an outstanding place-kicker and won a scholarship to attend Rice, under legendary Coach Jess Neely. With the Owls he had some exciting moments, including a touchdown against Arkansas in 1958, and was listed as one of the preseason All-Southwest Conference picks the next season, one of eight locals on the honor roll that year. Smith went into business after his football days, continuing the family automobile franchise's steady record of quality and success in the Valley economy. https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-villarreal-eliseo daily 0.75 2020-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579994987380-4G6RRH1AWK5QS81B9ZC4/1994+Villarreal%2C+Eliseo+2x3.jpg Eliseo Villarreal - Eliseo Villarreal † Inducted: 1994 Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville High School College: Sam Houston State University Best Known for: Athlete and Coach-Football There are a handful of assistant coaches who seem to have as big an impact as the head men, and Villarreal was one of them. As a long-time defensive coordinator at Port Isabel High School starting in the early 1970s, he was a fixture as the program built the fine winning tradition it is now known for. Villarreal was an honorable mention All-State halfback with Brownsville High School in 1959 and a three-year starter at third base on the baseball squad. He went on to earn All-Lone Star Conference mention twice while at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, joining the Eagle staff at his high school alma mater under Coach Joe Rodriguez in the mid-1960s. Coming to Port Isabel, Villarreal became known as the man who ran the defense, offseason program, and strength and conditioning efforts. All his bosses recall him as a steady hand that poured the foundation of Tarpon football. https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-zamora-guadalupe-chipper daily 0.75 2021-02-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569221867-4215UHVVK8FNM6O5E1MZ/1994+Zamora%2C+Chipper+4x6.jpg Guadalupe "Chipper" Zamora - Guadalupe “Chipper” Zamora Inducted: 1994 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Pan American University Best Known for: Athletics Administration Always a brave trailblazer, Zamora made a number of important superlatives, from being Harlingen High School's first Hispanic quarterback in 1957 to becoming the first Hispanic athletic director in Weslaco in the mid-1970s. Zamora, who attended Pan American University after his Cardinal days, began in the business in 1966 at Raymondville and advanced from there to Edinburg under Richard Flores. In 1973, he coached Mercedes High to its first district football title in 15 years, and plied his trade for a number of schools before becoming a long-time administrator, most prominently in Harlingen, where he took over as athletic director for Jesse Longhofer in 1992 and guided the city's successful athletic programs until 2007. Zamora also worked in a high-profile role in the early 1970s in Austin, as part of the Texas Education Desegregation Assistance Center, which worked toward equity and civil rights in state education. https://www.rgvshof.net/induction-ceremonies daily 0.75 2021-06-23 https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-bloomfield-jack daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579147765142-1S2Q0YGZVHVZG97LAEC2/1993+Bloomfield%2C+Jack+2x3.jpg Jack Bloomfield - Gordon Leigh “Jack” Bloomfield Inducted 1993 Hometown: Monte Alto College: Pan American College Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball b. August 7, 1932 One of the Valley's most outstanding baseball players, he made the grade as a player, coach and scout, rising to the Major Leagues in the latter two fields. Bloomfield was a second baseman, shortstop and third baseman in his playing days. He signed with the Kansas City Athletics in 1955 but was released and gained his first professional experience with the independent Harlingen Capitals of the Class B Big State League, where he batted .310. Bloomfield was then drafted by the Milwaukee Braves and played the bulk of his six-year Major League career in the Braves' and Cincinnati Reds' organizations, once again breaking the .300 mark with the 1958 Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. Ironically, his final stint as a minor league player came with the Athletics, playing for their Triple-A Portland Beavers affiliate from 1959 to 1960, when he was released again. He then played professional baseball in Japan during the 1960s (for the Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Nankai Hawks), where he compiled a .315 batting average and a .472 slugging percentage in more than 2,400 at-bats. Overseas he starred, winning won two batting titles, making three All-Star Games, and averaging .315 in seven years, good enough for 14th all-time in Japan. Bloomfield was a scout for the San Diego Padres from 1969 to 1973 and coached with the Padres and Chicago Cubs for four seasons, later scouting for the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies. https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-connor-m-f-red daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579148910778-472ZDCO71OFUIZ6Z3P18/1993+Connor%2C+Red.jpg M.F. "Red" Connor - M.F. “Red” Connor† Inducted 1993 Hometown: Weslaco College: The University of Texas Best Known for: Officiating – Football A two-sport star at The University of Texas, Connor played minor league baseball with the Chicago White Sox and became a leading Valley football official with an incredible record of community service. Connor played football and baseball for the Longhorns and was talented enough on the diamond to be signed by the Chicago White Sox. He became an official in 1946 and enjoyed 25 years as an arbiter, working big games in South Texas and Mexico during that stretch. Connor also scouted for the Houston Colt 45s for a spell. As outstanding an official as he was, Connor also established himself as a banking magnate and a civic giant, manning board of directors and president's roles with the Texas Southwest Officials Association along with stints on the foundations of Texas State Technical College, the Texas Surplus Property Agency, and the Lumberman's Association. https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-garcia-rosendo-roy daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569448644-CV9SYAJYGSP6WJS43YLT/1993+Garcia%2C+Roy+4x6.jpg Rosendo "Roy" Garcia - Rosendo “Roy” Garcia Inducted 1993 Hometown: Los Fresnos High School: Los Fresnos High School Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball Garcia’s name is synonymous with Valley basketball and winning, and he shows no signs of slowing up. Garcia rose from the migrant labor fields of Los Fresnos to become an elite three-sport athlete, earning All-American basketball honors in 1961 and also quarterbacking the Los Fresnos High School football team. Then he embarked on a coaching and athletic director career that is legendary; Garcia spent 28 years as the leader of the Mission Eagles, then got win No. 600 in 2007, coaching San Benito against his alma mater Los Fresnos. Garcia, a battler who gives no quarter and asks none, has a hard-charging style that has always endeared him to loyal players. He has won a dozen district titles in his career and in 2008, led San Benito to its first playoffs trip in 46 years before taking over new school PSJA Southwest in 2010, with 660 wins and counting. https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-garza-eleuterio-lou daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580094426405-VVGC2ZWP5EDMLPVTFGZH/1993+Garza%2C+Eleuterio+2x3.jpg Eleuterio "Lou" Garza Jr. - Eleuterio “Lou” Garza Jr. Inducted: 1993 Hometown: Roma Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball Very few men made as big an impact for one school and city as Garza did. Garza took over the basketball program at Roma High School when the team had no gym and usually practiced outside in the Valley sun. By the time he was finished with the Gladiators, Roma was on the map, statewide, having made it all the way to the state semifinals in 1972 and 1976. During his career, he posted an amazing mark with 298 wins and only 67 losses, for a winning percentage of 81.6. The Gladiators rolled to a district record of 99-9 under the patient leader of men, bringing a source of pride to a long-disadvantaged area with such great stars as Jesus “Chuy” Guerra on the squad. Later a superintendent for the district, he was elected to the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047216338-KO9ZX6D28HGOK74T7LT0/Garza%2C+Eleuterio.jpg Eleuterio "Lou" Garza Jr. https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-mosqueda-david daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580094484625-XROKYD03Y09AIRL8TFEL/1993+Mosqueda%2C+David+2x3.jpg David Mosqueda - David Mosqueda† Inducted: 1993 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Officiating Baseball 1931-July 20, 2014 Mosqueda was a legendary contributor was a respected public-school teacher for 33 years and also made a name for himself as one of the busiest sports officials on the Valley scene. Mosqueda graduated from Edinburg High School in the mid-1950s and went on to serve as co-captain of the Pan American College baseball team in 1956 and 1957, in the early years of the Bronc diamond program. From there, he enjoyed a decade-long career in semi-pro baseball and started a run as an official that would see him adjudicate in football, basketball, baseball, and softball. Known as a willing worker who would officiate games anywhere at any level, Mosqueda was able to put all the knowledge he gained as a player into effect as one of the Valley's most trusted arbiters. All the while, he exhibited his love for the area's youth by his teaching at a number of schools. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614173973724-Q7QOS4508ISKYAFS40BN/Mosqueda%2C+David+2.jpeg David Mosqueda https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614174158838-QAA5Z9RKUZ2DJP6Q4J33/Mosqueda%2C+David+3.jpg David Mosqueda https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-robie-glen daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Glen Robie - Glen R. Robie† Inducted: 1993 Hometown: Pharr Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball Whenever the talk turns to Colt League baseball in the area, Robie’s name invariably comes up as the man who produced a national championship unit in 1962. Robie was the manager for the 1962 Hidalgo County outfit that advanced all the way, beating El Paso 2-1 in eight innings in August of that year to make it to the national tournament in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Led by pitcher Frank Santiago and football star Sherwood Lucas of Mercedes, the Valley Stars took the national crown. Robie, originally from Pharr, devoted many years of his life to sports in the Tri-Cities area. His lifetime of service was recognized in 1988 when the Pharr Chamber of Commerce voted him Citizen of the Year. He will be recalled as the fiery leader of a team that defied the odds and worked its way along the tournament chain to claim a national title. https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-stewart-ray daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Ray Stewart - Ray Stewart† Inducted: 1993 Hometown: Texas College: Texas Wesleyan College Best Known for: Officiating – Football A standout baseball and softball player in the early years, Stewart transitioned into the world of officiating and became one of the Valley's best from 1947 into the 1980s. He was a catcher who received a scholarship to Texas Wesleyan University and became a superb athlete in the military, good enough to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals. He became a key contributor for the Harlingen Capitols in the early 1950s. He was on an All-Star team one season coached by Valley legend Bill Guthrie and was a regular on the semi-pro softball circuit for a number of years. While holding down his job in the insurance business, Stewart became a football official and more than 35 years served in every office of the Valley chapter of the SBOA, holding the presidency three times. He was later active for many years as a coach, helping build the Valley's youth baseball program. https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-vest-george daily 0.75 2020-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png George Vest - George Vest† Inducted: 1993 Hometown: Texas High School: Donna High School College: Southwest Texas Teachers college Best Known for: Coach-Football One of the Valley's first great coaches, Vest led Donna High School to a 20-1 record from 1934 to 1935, winning three of four postseason games during that stretch. He had been the top line-plunging back for Southwest Texas Teachers College, as it was known then, a team captain in 1925-6, and a letterman in baseball. The 1934 Donna team went 9-1 and outscored the opposition 168 to 38 before losing in the second round to Hondo. In 1935, the Redskins were 11-0, outscoring their foes by 252-13, and ended the campaign with a 6-0 win over Kenedy in regionals. Vest then went from the high school ranks to Southwest Texas State, where he led the Bobcats to winning marks and a pair of postseason appearances. He's one of the few Valley coaches to win conference titles in two sports, and at two different levels. https://www.rgvshof.net/1993-wright-james-jim daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png James "Jim" Wright - James “Jim Wright Jr. Inducted: 1993 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Texas A&M University Best Known for: Athlete – Football b. December 12, 1935 A flashy quarterback with a penchant for the big play, Wright led Edinburg High School to a huge upset in the playoffs over No. 1 San Antonio Edison in 1953, and later went on to some awesome highlights at Texas A&M University under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Wright passed for more 1,000 yards his senior year to lead the Bobcats to the second round of the playoffs. His late touchdown run beat Harlingen and he threw a daring TD pass in the fourth period to defeat McAllen High. Highly recruited, Wright settled on Texas A&M University, where he played from 1954 to 1957. In 1955, Texas A&M whipped TCU with a TD pass in the closing seconds, later leading the Aggies to a thrilling comeback win over Rice, putting 20 points on the board in the final 4:31. In the movie “Junction Boys,” author Jim Dent wrote that Wright “threw tight spirals that hit receivers between the numbers like slugs from a .44 revolver.” He coached for 13 years as an assistant coach at the collegiate level at Texas Tech, Mississippi State and Tennessee. He got his only collegiate head coaching job at Wichita State University, where he led the Shockers to a 17-31-1 record in four seasons. https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-davis-e-gilmore-gilly daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570062817-S55S4F2QXOL6W3IUXMIT/1992+Davis%2C+Gilly+4x6.jpg E. Gilmore "Gilly" Davis - E. Gilmore “Gilly” Davis† Inducted: 1992 Hometown: San Benito High School: San Benito High School College: Kilgore Junior College Best Known for: Athlete – Football Davis, known affectionately as Gilly, was 143 pounds of dynamite who became an outstanding college player in spite of his lack of size. After starring for San Benito High School, he went to Kilgore Junior College before matriculating to The University of Texas to play for Coach Dana X. Bible in 1938. He led team in punting that season, and in 1939 was the star of UT's near-upset of eventual national champion Texas A&M University, with a 58-yard punt and two touchdown-saving tackles on Thanksgiving Day. Told by most SWC coaches that he was too small to make it in the league, Davis defied the odds to become a contributing member of the Longhorns, winning team MVP his senior season. In later years, Davis coached at Uvalde Junior College and became a long-time football official, working big college bowl games such as the Orange, Cotton and Sugar. https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-flores-r-c-fito daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570006103-2DOFJOI6HP79CNCVSYRJ/1992+Flores%2C+R.C.+Fito+4x6.jpg R.C. "Fito" Flores - R.C. “Fito” Flores† Inducted: 1992 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Colorado University, Pan American College Best Known for: Athlete – Football Flores was one of the first Hispanic Valley athletes to make it big in college football and also holds the distinction of being the only player to earn five varsity football letters in high school. Flores was so big and strong, the Edinburg High School Bobcats managed to bring him up to the varsity during the War years as an eighth-grader. He dominated in high school on both sides of the ball, and one year was the only Hispanic starter on an otherwise all-Anglo team. After that, he played two years for Colorado University, once winning a ball game for the Buffaloes with a last-second field goal against the University of Denver. Flores joined the Air Force and then came back to school at Pan American College where he became a standout pitcher in baseball from 1955-57. He later became a top-flight administrator in Edinburg. https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-flores-richard-r daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569920547-XM3M9G4WB1KTLZZAP22X/1992+Flores%2C+Richard+4x6.jpg Richard R. Flores - Richard R. Flores Inducted: 1992 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School Best Known for: Coach-Football One of the greatest coaches in history, Flores went 121-37-3 with Rio Hondo, Lyford and his alma mater Edinburg High School, leading the Bobcats to nine playoff wins and two state quarterfinal appearances in the 1980s. With Rio Hondo, Flores took a club that had been 0-10 his first season to back-to-back district titles in 1972-73, and later guided the Bobcats to eight playoff trips, grooming future head coaches Robert Vela, Robert Alaniz, Mario Lopez, among others. In a 25-year career as coach and athletics director, Flores was one of the leading proponents of Valley football on the state level, helping develop the City of Palms Football Clinic and magazine, and several other collaborative endeavors. He came out of retirement in 2006 to serve as interim athletics director of the PSJA district, showing that his flair for organization and excellence had not waned a bit. https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-gorges-matt-f daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580096838921-VLVIDYA18HF2UZ9L3F84/1992+Gorges%2C+Matt+2x3.jpg Matt F. Gorges - Matt F. Gorges Inducted: 1992 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Rice University Best Known for: Officiating Football b. 1936 An All-Southwest Conference guard for the Rice University in 1957, Gorges eventually made an even bigger splash as a businessman and philanthropist. Gorges played for Coach Joe Hamrick at Harlingen High School, following all-star lineman Jerry Fitzpatrick. He was an all-district player in high school who earned a scholarship to Rice, where he won the Bob Quin Award as the outstanding Rice senior athlete in 1958, after helping the Owls to their last Southwest Conference title, under legendary coach Jess Neely. After graduation, he took over the family business and built a Valley dynasty in food service and cold storage. For decades his Gorges Foundation has been at the fore of Valley charity work and Gorges was named to the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2004. Gorges was also a standout football official for 20 years, including 10 in the SWC, and was named to the Rice University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581048671050-NH8MFRFZ84CEDVTNGG7K/1992+Gorges%2C+Matt.jpg Matt F. Gorges https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-martin-robert-l-bob daily 0.75 2021-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580097065233-GZ9PV1TJT4W3IDW51JUT/1992+Martin%2C+Bob+2x3.jpg Robert L. "Bob" Martin - Robert L. “Bob” Martin† Inducted: 1992 Hometown: San Antonio High School: Brackenridge High School Best Known for: Coaching – Football d. January 15, 1982 An early Valley coaching pioneer, Martin led the famous Mission High School Eagles of 1941 to an undefeated season, with star player Tom Landry. Later, Martin guided Brownsville High School to two of its best years ever before becoming that school's athletic director. Martin grew up in San Antonio where he played ball for Brackenridge High, then went to Southwest Teachers College (now Texas State University) and received Little All-America mention at center. He took over at Mission in 1938 at age 22 and became a Valley legend. The 1941 Mission Eagles allowed just one touchdown all year and won the regional title. During a 10-year stint at Brownsville starting in 1944, he led the Eagles to great seasons in 1945 and 1951. Martin was one of the earliest coaches to adopt the T-formation in South Texas and was an innovator and a hard taskmaster who was nonetheless much beloved by his players. Martin amassed an overall record of 128-16-4 during his years of high-school coaching, in Mission in 1941-1942, Eagle Pass from 1942-1944 and in Brownsville from 1944-1954. He was named athletic director in Brownsville in 1954, then became a school district supervisor, a junior high school assistant principal and finally an elementary school principal, until his retirement in June of last year. R.L. Martin Elementary in Brownsville, located on Old Alice Road and Stanford Avenue, was named in his honor in 1975. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614696668652-MIG3URAD7XPKJ4E37JXG/Martin%2C+Bob.png Robert L. "Bob" Martin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614696668644-8ZKNP932ET2GY1NFP4JX/Martin%2C+Bob+3.png Robert L. "Bob" Martin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614696664995-M4Y7LDCDIL3QULI616W6/Martin%2C+Bob+2.png Robert L. "Bob" Martin https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-thomas-anilda daily 0.75 2020-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Anilda Thomas - Anilda Thomas, Ph.D. Inducted: 1992 Hometown: Texas College: Pan American University Best Known for: Athletics Administration Thomas parlayed a knack for cultural performance and athletics into a storied career as a local coordinator, coach, and trailblazer at Pan American University. Thomas came to Donna High School in 1947 and enjoyed nearly 50 years of excellence in the Valley. She coached and served as director of girls' health and physical education at Donna and transitioned onto the college level. At Pan Am she was coordinator of women's athletics and also coached several teams. Her signature achievements there include the creation of the Folklorico dancers group as well as the foundation of the university's cheerleading program. Upon retirement, she became professor emeritus at The University of Texas-Pan American and the programs she built are still going strong to this day. Thomas was a versatile innovator whose ground-breaking contributions in a number of diverse areas installed her as one of the most important educators in Valley history. https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-west-thomas-tom daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569869480-H81CS86LBLW8L33W5ZUV/1992+West%2C+Tom+4x6.jpg Thomas "Tom" West - Thomas “Tom” West† Inducted: 1992 Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball West coached more than 300 basketball victories in his distinguished career. He guided Weslaco High School to five district championships within nine years, building the Panthers into a perennial Valley power. He served 17 years as principal of Raymondville High School to interrupt his coaching years. He retired as principal he went back to coach Raymondville to success, rebuilding a program and winning two zone titles in three years. https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-zavaletta-gus daily 0.75 2020-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579751864073-O0IM10B9AUWCD1H97G2I/Zavaletta%2C+Gus+2x3.jpg Gus Zavaletta - Gus Zavaletta† Inducted: 1992 Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football One of Brownsville's greatest names, Zavaletta won championships in two different countries in a long career as a football mentor. He helped establish Brownsville St. Joseph Academy as a football power, taking the Bloodhounds to state TCIL crowns in 1962 and 1980. Between stints at St. Joseph, he joined Monterrey Tech and guided the Borregos to a pair of Mexican state titles down south. He had attended Monterrey Tech, and later returned to his old team to help it become a powerhouse, one that often traveled north to battle various high school and junior college programs in South Texas. Zavaletta also coached at Brownsville Porter High School in their early years in the 1980s and is recalled as a strong leader who knew how to get the most out of his athletes. He was at the forefront of relations built between Mexico and the Valley, through football competition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581048200350-FZGM4YKS4S08M4CN8L1N/Zavaletta%2C+Gus.jpg Gus Zavaletta https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-cavazos-max daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Max Cavazos - Max Cavazos† Inducted 1991 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Edinburg Junior College Best Known for: Officiating – Baseball Cavazos was a star pitcher for Edinburg High School in the 1920s and later played at Edinburg Junior College, eventually making good as a long-time umpire who was respected for his skills and impartiality. Cavazos was known as a peppery catcher and first baseman who competed in baseball at Edinburg Junior College, as a starter for the Bronc group under coach L.E. Chandler. He also toiled on the interior line for the school's football team. After college, Cavazos was a fixture in the Playground Baseball Tournament, a popular event in the 1930s, and was a top softball player as well. He excelled as an official, working his way to the top and training many of the young officials who would go on to fame in later years. In 1977, Cavazos received the Old Timers Umpire Award from the Texas State Umpires Association for a lifetime of commitment to the game. https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-esparza-thomas daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579608943307-945B3V7RX3G6K5N762JK/1991+Esparza%2C+Thomas+PhD+4x6.jpg Thomas Esparza - Thomas Esparza, Ph.D.† Inducted 1991 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Clayton University (Mo.) Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball One of the greats in Valley history, Esparza won more than 500 games in a multitude of sports and was instrumental in the RGV Sports Hall of Fame's founding in 1985. The Edinburg High School grad played three sports in high school, and two in the U.S. Navy, later completing three college degrees, including a Ph.D. from Clayton University in Missouri. He had a long career as a coach and athletic innovator. He was a coach for the champion 1953 Edinburg High School Bobcat football team, and worked extensively with Little League, Pony and Colt teams. His 1980 American Legion squad won the state title. Esparza, who taught at Pan American University for 15 years, directed intramurals for the Edinburg school district, and is probably most remembered for his contributions in baseball in town. Always focusing on teaching as a coach, he mentored dozens of future greats in the coaching arena. https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-mcmurtry-paul-j daily 0.75 2023-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/baf4ad62-66e6-4713-8736-3d9af9e3c5e2/McMurtry011+Paul+J..jpg Paul J. McMurtry - Paul J. McMurtry† Inducted 1991 Hometown: Rio Hondo High School: Rio Hondo High School Best Known for: Athlete-Football A former college football star at The University of Southern California, McMurtry proved to be a huge success as a high school coach, piloting Rio Hondo High School to seven playoff trips in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was a four-sport hero for the Bobcats for four years running and ended up a three-year starter and 1950 team captain as middle guard for the Trojans. He served a long stint in the service, the U.S. Navy from 1938 to 1945, and came back stateside to star at USC and then play a year at Long Beach City College. At age 31 he defied the odds and Father Time by being named Little-All America that season. At Rio Hondo, he coached two of the three legendary Kachtik boys – Kenneth and Jerry –and made the Bobcats a playoff regular in their greatest run of glory. His career record at Rio Hondo was 46-28-3. https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-pena-bernardo daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png Bernardo Pena - Bernardo Peña† Inducted: 1991 Hometown: USA Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball d. 1969 An early star in Valley baseball, Peña was a semi-pro legend also took stints in the minor leagues in both Mexico and the United States, establishing himself as an awesome pitcher who could also swat the long ball. Peña, nicknamed “Papa,” was a superstar of the 1920s and 1930s who specialized in pitching both ends of the weekend doubleheaders that were commonplace in the era. After beating Laredo twice in one day in 1934 he was signed to a contract with Palestine, Texas, of the old West Dixie League, making $90 per month, considered big money in those days. He won two games in brief duty and hit .296 as well. No one knows what he could have done if he had been able to get started in the minors at an earlier age. After his playing days, Peña devoted himself to promoting baseball, until he passed away in 1969. https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-ply-bobby daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580183450781-YQLXWUBMYTW66G2AANF9/1991+Ply%2C+Bobby+2x3.jpg Bobby Ply - Robert Vernon “Bobby” Ply Inducted: 1991 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Baylor University Best Known for: Athlete – Football b. August 13, 1940 Ply played football at Mission High School and starred at Baylor University and then played six seasons in the National Football League. At Mission he was one of the region's best two-way players and the Eagles were the champs of District 16-3A In Ply's sophomore year. At Baylor, Ply was good enough to play in the 1962 College All-Star Game after his senior season, and also competed in the Coaches All-America Game. At 6-0, 190 pounds at Baylor, the quarterback/safety was the MVP of the 1960 Gator Bowl. Drafted on the fifth round by the Dallas Texans in 1962, he became a starter as a rookie, intercepting seven passes and becoming one of only 18 NFL players to get four picks in one game. Ply played for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs through 1966 and was a starter when Kansas City lost the first Super Bowl to Green Bay, 35-10, at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. He also played for Buffalo and Denver in 1967. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581047901478-Y3VKI5NL9XYE03BWZBVJ/Ply%2C+Bobby+card.jpg Bobby Ply https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-rodriguez-joe-a-eulogy daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570138829-AR4K77YHTLSIFYGJV3JA/1991+Rodriguez%2C+Joe+4x6.jpg Joe A. Rodriguez Eulogy - Tribute to Joe A. Rodriguez † By Debbie Rodriguez Pringle (oldest of four children) Delivered at Funeral Service April 12, 2021 The Rodriguez/Alamia/Vela clan was – and continues to be – a social and gregarious group. Barbecues, parties and reunions were a constant theme of his family life. His mother and sisters, the consummate hostesses could be found navigating the kitchen, while our Dad, his father and his brothers manned the smoking pit and the ice chest. With this family, it was always about surrounding yourself with those you loved and making sure everyone had a plate full of food and a cold beer to go with it. Dad and his brothers Jr., PeeWee and Romeo carried this tradition with them to Brownsville where they all settled. Although they sometimes disagreed with one another, the Brownsville brothers were raised with the knowledge that family was family and at the end of the day that was all that mattered. Their children and all the grandchildren became a big part of Dad’s life, especially in his later years as he cheered them on from his front row seat at their games, performances and graduations. To his grandchildren, Papa Joe always doled out his trademark $2 dollar bills and never failed to praise their accomplishments and encourage them to work towards their goals. The women in Dad’s life were just as strong and influential. His mother and his sisters, Diana, Cristina and Baby and his cousin Ollie were remarkable in their own right. The social gatherings and family events that were an intrinsic part of this family’s life would never have happened successfully without them. Enter, the most important woman in his life, our Mom – Emma Leal whom he met and fell in love with in college at Pan American College. Theirs was a classic Hollywood style love story. I think we can all agree that they were a good-looking couple. Dad was tall, handsome and brimming with charisma and our Mom was beautiful, elegant and dignified. Though they matched one another in good looks, their personalities could not have been more opposite. She was the yin to his yang, but together they made it work and successfully raised four children -- Tony, Lucky, MonDe and me. In our Mom, his wife of 56 years, Dad recognized he had out punted his coverage and he often referred to her as the “wind beneath his wings.” With a personality as big as Texas, Dad collected friends from all walks of life and all corners of the globe, and they became permanent fixtures in his life. Once you were on Team Joe, you were a lifelong member – like it or not. As a member of Team Joe, you knew you had hit paydirt when you received the ultimate nod – an invitation to Champions. Champions, Dad’s office – his man cave – was borne from the need for another closet for his biggest collection of all – his world-class stockpile of colorful clothing. Never one to pass up a sale at Ross, Steinmart or Nordstrom Rack, Dad amassed a shoe collection that rivaled that of Imelda Marcos. Each of us would return home during college breaks only to find that our clothes had been pushed to the far corners of our closets in order to accommodate Dad’s burgeoning wardrobe. Lucky, the true beneficiary of Dad’s shoe hoarding, shares the same 12 shoe size and as a result has not had to purchase a pair of shoes in years. Best of all, thanks to our Dad, the Goodwill drop-off center will reach their donation quota for the year in record time! Champions became the site for Dad’s football watch parties, Lions Club meetings and political campaign strategy sessions. Champions was decorated in classic Dad style – there was an office, but the true heart of the place was the entertaining area (the Man Cave) where the floors were constructed from wood taken from a discarded basketball court and the walls were covered with sports memorabilia and photos of Dad with sports legends many of whom were personal friends like Tom Landry, Bob Lilly, Earl Campbell, Mike Ditka, Dan Reeves, Robert Garza and Jeff Gossett and many others. Big screen TVs and old beat up but very comfortable sofas completed the entire Joe Rod décor statement. Along with the social gatherings, there was traveling to be done, and usually those trips included a Bowl game and heavy negotiating with ticket scalpers. The highlight of the season was the Super Bowl trip, an annual event for more than 30 years. These trips were always done on a wing and a prayer and included a motley crew of his best friend, Tom Chavez, his elder brother Jr. and his dear friend and fellow Notre Dame loyalist Harry Odem. In the early days – the lean years – they would show up with nothing but the smiles on their faces and a half-baked plan on how to gain admission. In the end, they always managed to score tickets, and even invitations to exclusive parties and impossible-to-get-into restaurants. One Super Bowl year, Joe and Tom masqueraded as reporters for the “Valley Times.” Of course, they got in and even had a feature story in the Oakland Tribune about their escapade. For Dad, coaching was a labor of love that never diminished for him and he often remarked that work as a coach was never really “work.” Dad thrived on competition, enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow coaches, but most of all, he embraced the opportunity to have a lasting positive impact on the youth of Brownsville. Some wonder what it was like growing up with the force of nature that was our Dad – the icon, the legend and all the other nice and some not so nice descriptors used for him. I won’t say it was always easy, it certainly came with some challenges, but this much I know is true. My siblings and I always felt loved and knew that no matter what, he was there for us. Dad was someone we admired, not so much because of his accomplishments or his awards, but because he lived his life according to his rules and didn’t worry about what others said or thought about him. He fought for the underdog, the less fortunate and those in need. If you were in trouble or struggling in some way, he was there for you at any hour or in any way. One Sunday in 1989, Dad walked into the house and introduced my Mom to a complete stranger, informing her that he would be staying in our home for a while. This man turned out to be Jim Kilroy whose son, Mark, had disappeared in Matamoros while on Spring Break. All that mattered to my Dad was that this man was sitting alone at the back of St. Luke’s Church and he clearly needed help. Dad was not a man who lived with regrets. I can never remember a time when I ever heard him say “If only I had done this or I wish I hadn’t done that.” He embraced life with all its ups and downs, took risks, made some mistakes along the way, but just kept on going. One such lapse in judgment was when he approached O.J. Simpson at the Kentucky Derby sometime after his acquittal and proudly proclaimed, loud enough for everyone to hear, “I believe in you, O.J. even though none of my family does!” That was Dad, loyal to a fault. Dad had an incomparable zest for life and a fearlessness that sometimes left us – his children shaking our heads and holding our breath; but always in the end we came to the conclusion that his will would prevail. Win or lose, he was there to play, not to watch. He taught through his example that life was for living, “can’t” was not a part of his vocabulary, and age was just a number. He always felt he had more to give and his ideas were plentiful. We want to thank all of you for the outpouring of support and love for our Dad and the sharing of many personal stories of how he helped you and others at early points in your lives and careers. Without naming names, here are just a few examples. – One friend said: “When I was in junior high, he went out and bought me a pair of shoes because all of the shoes I owned had holes in them.” – Another said: “Your dad not only helped me obtain a track scholarship and drove me to the station. He then emptied his pockets, gave me all the money he had and put me on the bus to college.” – And another: “I was a high school football player without a scholarship. Coach Joe called the athletic director at Texas A&I University, who said that they didn’t have any remaining football scholarships. Coach Joe convinced them to open up a track scholarship for me.” That athlete did end up playing football and eventually played 14 years in the NFL. There are countless people – many who are here today – who were an important part of our Dad’s life. He loved all of you and I think you know he did. He loved Brownsville and the Valley. Today, we are happy knowing he is hosting a barbecue with his parents, our mom, his sisters Cristina and Dee and their husbands Arturo and Bryce, Uncle Jr. and Aunt Dora, Patrick and Aunt Bonnie, his beloved nephews Johnny Joe and Ricky and Uncle Tom, and his dear friend Harry Odem. He has a cold Coors in his hand, a Fighting Irish cap on his head, and is regaling them with his stories. We think he would have three messages for you all: Enjoy your life! Take chances! Keep fighting for the kids of Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley! https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-silver-gene daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580183922492-RU9ZP2GGTQJKKGMC0DN3/Silver%2C+Gene+2x3.jpg Gene Silver - Gene Silver† Inducted: 1991 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Rice University Best Known for: Athlete – Fast-Pitch Softball August 14, 1928-February 14, 2018 Silver was a superb and graceful natural athlete who could master any sport at the drop of a hat. Silver made an early name as a standout football player with Harlingen High School in the mid-1940s, excelled at golf and football for Rice University, and later in life became one of the greatest Valley softball players of all time. Silver was a fast running back at Harlingen who was good enough to continue his career with the Owls. But he is best known for a phenomenal softball tenure during which he pitched in the international tournament three times and won nearly 1,000 games. A perennial All-State fast-pitch selection, Silver hurled for 46 years, winning MVP at the regional tournament four times. His best season came in 1950 when he compiled a 33-1 overall record to lead Houston Downtown Chevrolet to a third-place finish in the world tournament. https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-uhlaender-otto-ted daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614960645004-H1NQ9ZYKJ4R1HPNMWDQ2/Ted_Uhlaender_Indians.jpg Otto "Ted" Uhlaender - Theodore Otto “Ted” Uhlaender† Inducted: 1991 Hometown: Chicago Heights, Ill. High School: McAllen High School College: Baylor University Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball October 21, 1939-Feb. 12, 2009 Uhlaender made the biggest splash in the major leagues. He enjoyed eight years in Major League Baseball from 1965-1972, hitting .263 in 2,932 at bats and participating in a World Series. Uhlaender was a four-sport letterman at McAllen High School and played the outfield for Baylor University in college. He signed with the Minnesota Twins in 1961 and was the team’s starting center fielder for the next four seasons. He placed fifth in the American League in batting average in 1968 with a .283 mark. The 6-foot-2 lefty swinger hit 36 home runs lifetime for the Twins, Indians, and Reds, scored 343 runs, and was among the league leaders in triples with seven in 1968. He got a base hit in the 1972 Series for the Reds against the Oakland A's in his final season, and later became a coach and scout for several Major League Baseball organizations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581048400952-K77W110V7K9YE6F892HR/Uhlaender%2C+Ted+card.jpg Otto "Ted" Uhlaender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614960595403-5AY66MV35ZMVG7XIQXYN/Ted_Uhlaender_Indians.jpg Otto "Ted" Uhlaender https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-brooks-jim daily 0.75 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580212662584-N0CHUJQAR106UE2PCX6I/1990+Brooks%2C+Jim+2x3.jpg Jim Brooks - Jim Brooks† Inducted: 1990 Hometown: USA Best Known for: Athletics Administration 1919-March 11, 1996 Brooks was a diligent organizer and administrator who brought the Valley's largest university into sporting prominence over a 35-year career that culminated in 1983. Starting at what was then Edinburg Regional College in the late 1940s, Brooks would eventually hire all the great coaches who helped establish the school as a power, including Sam Williams (basketball), Al Ogletree (baseball) plus Harry Meng and Don Russell (tennis). Once an assistant coach for Paul “Bear” Bryant at Kentucky, Brooks was the last football coach in Bronc history (1948-50) and then took over as the university's first athletic director, winning the Knute Rockne Athletic Director of the Year Award and guiding the construction of the first major athletic facilities on campus. During his tenure, the program evolved from NAIA to NCAA Division II and then NCAA Division I. Brooks is remembered as a great man who accomplished great things for the Broncs. He was partly responsible for leading the fight to let African-American athletes compete on equal terms in track, basketball and other sports. https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-farris-bill daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579494202534-S8QTHR8Y68O5S7CL4EZG/1990+Farris%2C+Bill+2x3.jpg Bill Farris - Bill Farris† Inducted: 1990 Hometown: USA College: The University of Georgia Best Known for: Coach-Tennis (1930-2006) When it comes to Valley tennis, Farris was one of the giants of the sport, a highly successful coach whose teams won a state title and got close a few other occasions. An Air Force vet who later earned a medical degree from The University of Georgia, he hit the Valley scene with a splash, coaching 17 straight district champs at La Feria High School starting in 1970. Farris sent 35 players onto the state tournament and his team of Ivan Solis and David Fleuriet won it all in 1977. His tandem of Brad and Chad Wisdom lost in the semifinals in 1989. He was named South Texas Coaches Association Coach of the Year and was twice picked as Kiwanis Man of the Year. A well-rounded teacher and coach, Farris passed away in December 2008 but will be recalled as a winner in everything he did. https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-lackey-bobby daily 0.75 2021-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579147443885-MTRVGXCIU2CQWOWJ9W4E/1990+Lackey%2C+Bobby+2x3.jpg Bobby Lackey - Bobby Lackey† Inducted: 1990 Hometown: Weslaco High School: Weslaco High School College: The University of Texas Best Known for: Athlete – Football (Oct. 14, 1937-Sept. 2, 2021) Of all the area's greats, Lackeyranks near the top. As an All-American quarterback two-time all-state quarterback, he led the Panthers to the state semifinals in 1955, as Weslaco won four years district titles. He was also one of the best basketball players in Valley history, winning all-state honors twice, and an all-state and all-district baseball player to boot. Then it was off to The University of Texas where the 6-foot-4 Lackey eventually became the starting quarterback on Darrell Royal's first Southwest Conference team in 1959. Lackey led the Longhorns in scoring and punting for two seasons and was a daring runner whose passing won several games for the Longhorns. He was the first University of Texas Longhorn to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated while in college and turned down a pro career with the AFL's Oakland Raiders to go into private business. Weslaco ISD named its football stadium after him in 2002. https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-rodriguez-camilo-sr daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580212289025-ZKOPPJO0FMTXXKQEKSG0/1990+Rodriguez%2C+Camilo+2x3.jpg Camilo Rodriguez Sr. - Camilo Rodriguez Sr.† Inducted: 1990 Hometown: USA Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball (1921-2000) Rodriguez was affectionately known as “Mr. Baseball” both north and south of the border. He was one of this area's premier shortstops in a career starting in 1930 and spanning three decades. Rodriguez played semi-pro and professional baseball in Mexico and Texas from 1934 to 1950, concluding his career by playing with the McAllen Palms in the old Class C Rio Grande League. In 1964, Rodriguez joined the Houston Astros organization as a scout for South Texas and Northern Mexico. https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-stephens-jerry daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580212792984-043NWRYC8CSAFS3GEJ14/1990+Stephens%2C+Jerry+2x3.jpg Jerry Stephens - Jerry Stephens† Inducted: 1990 Hometown: USA Best Known for: Officiating – Football After an illustrious career, Stephens became the third Southwest Conference official with local ties and a great résumé to be inducted into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, joining C.W. “Napper” Davis and C.L. “Smokey” Boyle. Stephens worked the game from 1951 to 1973, becoming a regular on the SWC scene in the conference's heyday. Along the way, he worked some high-profile games: the 1957 Sugar Bowl, the Cotton and Bluebonnet bowls in 1963, the Bluebonnet in 1968, and Cotton Bowls in 1966 and 1973. In a parallel career in the high school ranks, Stephens officiated three state championship games, including the storied 1961 Class 2A contest in which Donna brought the Valley its only public-school state crown with a 28-21 win over Quanah. Along with Davis and Boyle, this veteran official set the standard for future generations of local officials, with a 23-year run on the football field. https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-strohmeyer-george-jr daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580213036372-RWW4PF8HW8FLHOKOI9SB/1990+Strohmeyer%2C+George+Sr+2x3.jpg George Strohmeyer Jr. - George Strohmeyer Jr.† Strohmeyer, George Jr.† Inducted: 1990 Hometown: McAllen High School: McAllen High School Best Known for: Athlete – Football January 27, 1924-January 12, 1992 Strohmeyer was one of the first Valley first college All-Americans, and made All-Pro twice in the professional ranks, and thus ranks among the greatest of area athletes. A 205-pound guard and linebacker who was also a Golden Gloves champ, Strohmeyer was named Best Blocker on the All-Valley squad of 1941 for McAllen High School and was also one of the area's best placekickers. He then played freshman football at Texas A&M University before joining the Navy in 1943. He made Service Football All-America in 1944-45, ending up at Notre Dame University after the war, where he was an All-America selection on the line for the unbeaten Fighting Irish of 1946. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1946 NFL Draft. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the All-American Football Conference from 1946 to 1948, starting both ways. He then began a coaching career that took him to St. Ambrose (Iowa), Brownsville St. Joseph, Yoakum, and California. https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-strohmeyer-george-sr daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580212846065-03K7H04SMGATYD2VI05G/1990+Strohmeyer%2C+George+Sr+2x3.jpg George Strohmeyer Sr. - George Strohmeyer Sr.† Inducted: 1990 Hometown: Kansas City, Mo. Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball One of the original sporting stars of the Valley, Strohmeyer once dueled legendary Satchel Paige in a 13-inning 1-1 classic as a member of the St. Louis Browns in the early 1930s. Gifted with a tremendous fastball, Strohmeyer played three years with the Browns and later became one of the Valley's leading semi-pro baseball pitchers and catchers, plying his trade for over 20 years alongside such stars as Leo Najo Alaniz and Bernard Papa Peña with the Mission Rifles (or 30-30 squad) and other local units. Later, Strohmeyer was one of the Valley's finest officials for more than a decade, working all the big games with fellow greats like C.W. “Napper”Davis and Jimmy Lawrence. He was the official scorer for the first Valley semi-pro All-Star Game in the late 1940s. https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-watkins-mary-frances daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579147580095-IXSOM2OCMYSLR8K2G2SL/1990+Watkins%2C+Mary+Frances.jpg Mary Frances Watkins - Mary Frances Watkins† Inducted: 1990 Hometown: Singleton, Texas High School: Aldine High School College: The University of Texas at Austin Best Known for: Coach-Basketball (1932-2011) Watkins coached Lyford High school girls’ basketball teams to a much success over a 30-year period. Watkins graduated from Aldine High School in Houston in 1950. She received both a Bachelor of Science (1954) and a Master of Education (1956) from The University of Texas, Austin. She began her coaching career in Three Rivers, (1956-1958) and took her track team to three state championships. She then moved to Lyford (1958-1989), and the rest is history. Watkins posted a 481-127 won-loss record spanning 20 years. Never once in 20 seasons did her teams win fewer than 19 games and her teams won 17 district championships. Her 1973-74 Lyford team advanced to the state tournament in a 28-3 campaign. Her overall record in district competition was 229-11 in 20 years, a reflection of Lyford's dominance under her guidance. She also coached softball teams to four district titles, volleyball to two district titles, track to three district titles, and cross-country teams to the state meet three times. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-beaudry-charles daily 0.75 2021-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614720535297-5I37MNY2YKGB2QX1AHQI/1989+Beaudry%2C+Charles.png Charles Beaudry - Albert Charles Beaudry, Ph.D.† Inducted 1989 Hometown: Carmen, Manitoba, Canada College: Marquette (Wis.) University, Pan American University Best Known for: Athlete – Track July 28, 1918-Feb. 2, 2002 Beaudry was an incredible Renaissance man as a record-setting athlete who became a long-time academic star at Pan American University as well one of the greatest senior athletes ever. Beaudry was one of the rare athletes to win a national AAU title in both the pentathlon (1946) and decathlon (1945), joining Jim Thorpe in that distinction. Beaudry, born in 1918, was a five-time All-American competitor for Marquette University. Later, he from the track to the classroom as a Ph.D. who led the Modern Languages program at Pan American for years. While doing so, he won over 500 first-place masters/seniors awards in track and field. At the 1980 Senior Olympics in St. Louis, he ran an 11.87 100-yard dash in the 60-64 age group to pace the field and ran an amazing 55.9 quarter-mile in 1974, always keeping shape on the track he built at his Edinburg home. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-boyle-c-l-smokey daily 0.75 2021-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1584912828396-9JZR36L7N9O32JACROPL/1989+Boyle%2C+CL+Smokey.jpg C.L. "Smokey" Boyle - C.L. “Smokey” Boyle† Inducted 1989 Born: Pettus High School: Taft High School Best Known for: Officiating Football July 27, 1913-Oct. 3, 2004 Boyle has several claims to fame, including a long career as a top-flight football official and fisherman, and being credited by Texas Monthly as the man who coined the long-enduring term Winter Texan. He graduated from Taft High School in 1928. "Smokey" as he was known acquired the nickname from his semi-pro baseball days. Boyle worked more than 500 high school and college games in 36 years and was once president of the Valley chapter of the Southwest Football Officials Association. When he hung up the whistle, he was ranked in the highest skill/experience division that organization offers. Boyle was always known as an expert with the rod and reel who guided innumerable outdoor expeditions and spearheaded wildlife-conservation efforts. He also owned a chain of auto parts stores and was active in the Texas Baptist Men organization for decades. Boyle began ministry in 1969 with seasonal visitors from the north, calling them Winter Texans, a moniker that quickly become part of the Valley vocabulary. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-cannon-bobby daily 0.75 2021-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614693467339-U1H3YE2RMD8JMY1BB0TR/1920+Cannon%2C+Bobby.png Bobby Cannon - Bobby Cannon† Inducted 1989 Born: Crockett, Texas High School: Edinburg High School Best Known for: Coaching – Football One of the deans among coaches of early Valley football, Cannon built a strong program at Edinburg High School in the 1930s and led the Bobcats until his retirement in 1946 to take the helm at Edinburg Junior College. Cannon was a two-sport athlete at The University of Texas in football and baseball at the turn of the 1920s. He was a running back for the Longhorns in 1919 and played centerfield for the Longhorn baseball team from 1916 to 1920. Texas won four straight Southwest Conference championships with Cannon in center field. Cannon then took San Antonio Brackenridge to the state finals in 1922 and 1926. He also put in stints at Del Rio, Corpus Christi, and Peacock Military Academy. His Edinburg Bobcat teams won district titles in 1936 and 1937 and 1941, and Cannon went 64-32-5 from 1936 to 1946. He coached Texas high school teams for 34 years and helped established the present system for the UIL state baseball tournament. Like most coaches in the early days, Cannon led all athletic teams for the Bobcats and was an exceptionally crafty mentor in baseball. In 1961 he became the first of what would be nine Valley coaches elected to the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-creasey-george daily 0.75 2020-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png George Creasey - George Creasey† Inducted 1989 Hometown: USA Best Known for: Bowling Anyone who has ever picked up a bowling ball in the Valley knows the name Creasey, as it has become synonymous with the sport in these parts. He was a terrific bowler who helped popularize the sport in South Texas. Creasey bowled 15 perfect 300 games after getting involved in the sport back in the 1930s in St. Louis, competing against greats like Dick Weber, Don Carter and Ray Bluth. He finished second in the 1957 National Bowling Tournament, defeating Weber and losing to Carter in the finals. Creasey's best year came in 1962, when he averaged 211 in competition in three different leagues that year. Creasey competed in 39 consecutive state tournaments in Texas and was still rolling the ball with speed and skill into his 1970s. He established a popular bowling alley in Harlingen, where he made his home after relocating to the area. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-richardson-heald-dessie daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614797295543-ZJWG2RD7954R0P0LAY2H/Heald%2C+Dessie.jpg Dessie (Richardson) Heald - Dorothea Fay “Dessie” (Richardson) Heald† Inducted 1989 Hometown: Baytown Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball September 1, 1911-July 18, 2002 Heald pioneered the advent of power volleyball in the Valley and will be recalled as one of the area's great girls' coaches. Heald coached basketball and volleyball at Weslaco High School for 14 years and started the volleyball program at Santa Rosa, a position she held for 12 more seasons. Her Pantherette basketball teams were a playoff constant in those years, making it to the regionals twice. The legendary 1965 Weslaco Lady Panthers advanced all the way to the state championship game before. Heald attended every Texas High School Girls Coaches Association meeting before her retirement. In 1972 she was named the state's honor coach in basketball. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-lawrence-jimmy daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614721090464-6V009PKP9G8D66U35VHJ/1989+Lawrence%2C+Jimmy.jpg Jimmy Lawrence - Jimmy Lawrence† Inducted 1989 Hometown: Harlingen High School: Harlingen High School College: Texas Christian University Best Known for: Athlete – Football March 15, 1913-January 1, 1990 Lawrence was a speedy running back who starred for Harlingen High School and then Texas Christian University in college, with enough talent to play four NFL seasons in late 1930s. The greatest in a long line of Lawrences at Harlingen, Jimmy led Dutch Rektorik's Cardinals to the playoffs three times and was also one of the Valley's best basketball players. The 5-11, 190-pounder made All-Southwest Conference three times for the Horned Frogs under Coach Dutch Meyer, playing alongside legendary Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh. TCU won a national title in 1935. He was elected to the TCU Football Hall of Fame in 1987. Lawrence was the first SWC player selected in the inaugural NFL draft in 1936 as the fifth overall pick and went on to play for the Chicago Cardinals and Green Bay Packers. Traded from the Cards to the Packers in 1939, he was a member of the NFL champ Packers that year. Afterward, Lawrence returned to the Valley and became one of the area's leading football officials. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-lerma-everardo-carlos-e-c daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579626401065-BYRAABT58DIU62C23Q62/1989+Lerma%2C+EC+4x6.jpg Everardo C. "E.C." Lerma - Everardo Carlos “E.C.” Lerma† Inducted 1989 Hometown: Kingsville College: Texas A&I University Best Known for: Coach-Football Lerma was one of the trailblazers of the Valley football game, and never shied away from a challenge. The Kingsville native broke the ethnic barrier at Texas A&I University in 1934 as a player, and then became the first Hispanic head coach in Texas at Benavides High School in 1939. He led that Brush Country program to many seasons of success with patient, discipline, and a knack for the Xs and Os that distinguished him among his peers. Later, Lerma took over the helm at Rio Grande City High School, winning 53 games from 1955-65, and leading the Rattlers to their first winning season, 7-2 in 1957. His son, John, was a high school star who later became a successful coach as well. In 1968, the state's mentors recognized the contributions Lerma made in high school athletics and race relations by naming him to the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-lohr-larry daily 0.75 2020-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579146960911-BU1YVATX0LF8O29RVKV5/1989+Lohr%2C+Larry.jpg Larry Lohr - Larry Lohr† Inducted 1989 Hometown: USA Best Known for: Athletic Training Lohr is known as the first full-time athletic trainer in the area, and was known as the “Father of Athletic Training” in South Texas. He started at Donna High School in the late 1950s, and spending 28 years in the business during an award-winning career. After a stint in the U.S. Navy, Lohr worked at Donna High School from 1958 to 1967, helping the 1961 Redskin team to the state football title. He then advanced to McAllen High School as the head trainer from 1967 to 1981, later working at Weslaco and La Feria. Active in administering training seminars during his career in the Valley, Lohr was selected as trainer at state all-star games in football in 1967 and basketball in 1982 and was a consistent lecturer at conferences. He was awarded for a lifetime of dedication to sports training by election to the Southwest Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame as a charter member and was inducted to the National Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame in 1985. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-ogletree-alfred-al daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570370560-78QNRI7KP1IB0SYADLAO/1989+Ogletree%2C+Al+4x6.jpg Alfred "Al" Ogletree - Alfred “Al” Ogletree† Inducted 1989 Hometown: San Antonio College: Texas A&M University Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball Feb. 5, 1930-June 24, 2019 One of the greats of college baseball nationwide, Ogletree was the heart and soul of the Bronc program for more than 40 years. Ogletree was born in San Antonio, and attended Texas A&M University, where he played baseball and graduated in 1952. Four years later, he earned a master's degree. He played in the minors for two years while also spending time in the Army as an officer for two years. He served as head coach at The University of Dallas, Sul Ross State University before coming to South Texas. He coached Dallas to an 82-45 record over seven years and coached Sul Ross State to a 50-46 record over three years, winning a NAIA District 8 North Zone championship with Dallas in 1964. Ogletree would eventually win 1,217 games with Pan American University after arriving in 1968, etching his and the school's name into the record books when the Broncs advanced all the way to the College World Series in 1971, finishing fourth overall. He was selected as the national Coach of the Year by The Sporting News in 1971, also winning that honor from three other organizations. Ogletree is a member of numerous honor halls, including at Texas A&M University, The University of Dallas, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Although he retired in 1997, he is still a semi-regular at Bronc baseball games and published his hilarious and informative autobiography. Coach Al is truly one of a kind. https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-scott-earl-jr daily 0.75 2021-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570217130-CF9WIACEN509JKD49B87/1989+Scott%2C+Earl+4x6.jpg Earl D. Scott Jr. - Earl Scott Jr.† Inducted 1989 Hometown: Smithville College: Cameron (Okla.) College, Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Coach-Football Nov. 23, 1926-Sept. 11, 2020 Scott will always be known as the man who coached the only football state championship club in Valley history, with Donna High School in 1961. Scott came from Smithville and was a football player for Cameron (Okla.) College and Southwest Texas State before starting his coaching journey with Laredo Martin High School in 1957. He came to Donna in 1960 and his Redskins won four district titles, going all the way in 1961, beating Quanah for the Class 2A state championship. He compiled a 72-25-2 record from 1960-68 with Donna and then Edinburg (1967-68) in a relatively brief but stellar career. Scott was voted the state's Coach of the Year in 1961, was elected to the Texas Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1980, and the Southwest Texas State Hall of Honor in 1962. Scott won 101 of 152 games in his coaching career and developed some of the all-time greats of Valley football. https://www.rgvshof.net/1988-alaniz-leonardo-najo daily 0.75 2021-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579146413971-AHLZJI70H4R1LJHKKU2W/1988+Alaniz%2C+Leo+Najo.jpg Leonardo "Najo" Alaniz - Leonardo “Najo” Alaniz† Inducted 1988 Hometown: La Laijia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball (Feb. 17, 1899-April 25, 1978) One of the great trailblazers in Valley history, Leandro Alaniz, better known as Leo Najo, was the first Mexican-American major league draftee, by the Chicago White Sox in 1926. Born in Nuevo Leon, the superb outfielder was a minor league standout who starred in the Texas League for seven years and later was a long-time leader of the Mission 30-30s. An injury kept him from making the major leagues, but he compiled a .323 lifetime batting average in 1,275 games, with 69 triples and the reputation as the best defensive outfielder in the league. He was the first Mexican-American to play in the Texas League, back in 1924 with San Antonio, and that year he hit .381 with 34 home runs and 213 hits. Najo was one of the first players elected to the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame and was a regional legend by the time he died in 1971. https://www.rgvshof.net/1988-davis-c-w-napper daily 0.75 2020-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png C.W. "Napper" Davis - C.W. “Napper” Davis† Inducted 1988 Hometown: Donna High School: Donna High School Best Known for: Officiating Football 1912-1992 Davis was one of the early pioneers in Valley football exploits, a man who captained the 1930 Donna Redskins and later went on to a long and illustrious career as a sports official, locally active citizen, and businessman. Davis played running back at Donna High School and scored a key touchdown in 1928 against McAllen High, for a Redskin program coached by Claude Dailey that was one of the early powers in the area. Later, he was a football official for decades in the Valley alongside fellow greats George Strohmeyer and Jimmy Lawrence, working high school games but also many Southwest Conference tilts in the 1950s through the 1960s. Davis served a term as mayor of the City of McAllen and ran for the state Senate in 1952. https://www.rgvshof.net/1988-landry-thomas-tom daily 0.75 2021-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579118379525-SBDS2MEOR2L0L2MNY8F4/1988+Landry%2C+Tom+4x6.jpg Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry - Thomas Wade “Tom” Landry† Inducted 1988 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: The University of Texas Professional: New York Giants Best Known for: Athlete and Coach-Football (Sept. 11, 1924-Feb. 12, 2000) Perhaps the greatest legend in Valley history, Landry was an outstanding football player, a war hero, and eventually a Hall of Fame coach with the Dallas Cowboys. In high school, he led the 1941 Mission Eagles to an undefeated season. He flew 30 B-17 missions over Europe as a member of the Eighth Air Force in Europe in World War II and survived one crash landing. Landry returned to The University of Texas and played fullback and quarterback behind the all-American Bobby Layne. He also played defensive back for the Longhorns. He won all-Southwest Conference honors as a junior and was a co-captain as a senior. He played on Texas teams that won the 1948 Sugar Bowl over Alabama and the 1949 Orange Bowl over Georgia. Landry played in the NFL for nine seasons as a defensive back and punter for the New York Giants, intercepting 32 passes and making All-Pro in 1954. After retiring from playing football, he became the Giants defensive coordinator from 1956-59, before leaving to take the helm of the expansion Dallas Cowboys, with whom he would win 270 games and led them to five Super Bowls, winning two of them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614696488888-L015J7DWVGG73KISPSC1/Landry%2C+Tom.png Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry https://www.rgvshof.net/1988-morrow-bobby daily 0.75 2021-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579117854447-MP3I4XP9NWMJOBYM46BD/1988+Morrow%2C+Bobby+4x6.jpg Bobby Morrow - Bobby Morrow† Inducted 1988 Hometown: San Benito High School: San Benito High School College: Abilene Christian College Best Known for: Athlete-Track Oct. 15, 1935-May 30, 2020 In the pantheon of Valley greats, Morrow stands alone as its only Olympic champion. Morrow was born in Harlingen and raised on a farm in San Benito. Before becoming a sprinter, Morrow played football for San Benito High School. Morrow also was a sprinter at Abilene Christian University, where he captured 80 of 88 individual races and won 14 championships. Morrow won the 1955 AAU 100-yard title. His most successful season was in 1956, when he was chosen by Sports Illustrated as "Sportsman of the Year." Morrow won the sprint double in the national college championships and defended his AAU title. Morrow then went to the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, where he won three gold medals and was the leader of the American sprint team. First, he was victorious in the 100-meter dash. He then led an American sweep of the medals in the 200-meter dash, while equaling the world record at that distance with a time of 20.6 seconds (unofficially auto-timed at 20.75). He won his third gold by anchoring the 4x100-meter relay team to a world record time. Morrow achieved great fame after winning his three gold medals, and was featured on the covers of Life magazine and SPORT magazine, as well as Sports Illustrated. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and Arthur Godfrey and His Friends, and addressed a joint session of the Texas legislature. Morrow was a superstar at San Benito High School, winning three state titles, and advanced to Abilene Christian College, where he captured 80 of 88 individual races and won 14 championships. At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, Morrow cemented his place in legend, becoming the first man since Jesse Owens in 1936 to earn three gold medals. He paced the field in the 100 and then overcame a groin strain to set a world record in the 200, capping the incredible showing by helping the sprint relay team to a world mark. In 2006, San Benito CISD named its new athletic facility “Bobby Morrow Stadium.” He was inducted in the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Texas Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016. https://www.rgvshof.net/1988-williams-charlie daily 0.75 2021-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579145861014-Q464YO28AGE4IXNUCB26/1988+Williams%2C+Charlie.jpeg Charlie Williams - Charlie Williams† Inducted 1988 Hometown: Refugio High School: Refugio High School College: Hardin-Simmons University, Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Coach-Football (Feb. 23, 2014-Dec. 29, 1930) Williams was a winner who succeeded at every stop along his coaching line, taking three Valley football teams to the playoffs and earning induction into the Texas Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994. Williams was a 1948 graduate of Refugio High School, where he was a four-sport letterman. He played college football and was a pole vaulter at Hardin-Simmons University. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. An early dream came true when he received a contract to play pro football for the Los Angeles Rams in 1953. Two months later he tore his ACL while playing for Scott Air Force Base, ending his dreams of playing professionally, but redirecting him down a path to become one of the most beloved and successful coaches in Texas. Williams received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Educational Administration at Southwest Texas State University. He began his coaching career at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School in 1959. After getting the head job in 1962, he led the Bears to the state finals in Class 3A in 1962 and 1963, compiling a 76-24-5 record at the school from 1962 to 1971. He took the head coaching position at McAllen High School and led the Bulldogs to the state quarterfinals in 1975, winning 52 of 68 games with the Bulldogs from 1974 to 1979. Next, Williams was head coach at Harlingen High School and was 17-3-1 with them, for an all-time record of 188-57-11, for a 76-percent winning clip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581048294575-PXVF9TA8JY9ZHTY8H590/Williams%2C+Charlie.jpg Charlie Williams https://www.rgvshof.net/1988-williams-sam daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579145926904-X0EHOK43EIGT6B1N8FX9/1988+Williams%2C+Sam.jpeg Sam Williams - Sam Williams† Inducted 1988 Born: Daingerfield Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball (June 29, 1924-Oct. 15, 2012) Williams is known as the “Father of Broncs Basketball” for putting Pan American College on the national map by leading the Broncs to the NAIA basketball championship in 1963 and posted four 20-win campaigns in 15 years at the helm. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps before moving to the Valley to accept a teaching/coaching position in Donna. He then served as McAllen High School as assistant principal and led McHi to district championships in 1956 and 1957. HIs success drew the attention of Pan American College, and Williams took over as coach in 1958. The court in The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Field House bears the name of Sam Williams, the winningest coach in program history, who came to the Valley in 1959 and led the way until 1973. Williams guided the Broncs to 11 winning seasons, including the NAIA National Champion team in 1963 and the 1964 team that advanced to the national championship game. The man who won 244 lifetime games at Pan Am was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1963 and established the Broncs as a national power, with 79 wins from 1961 to 1964. In 2010 he returned to the Field House for a reunion of the 1963 champs, as the crowd cheered for the “Father of Broncs Basketball” once again. https://www.rgvshof.net/by-sport-or-activity daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://www.rgvshof.net/scholarship-information daily 0.75 2021-03-22 https://www.rgvshof.net/2019-scholarshios daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595878611862-DDS0OESXUXXNVWG4U6FT/2019+Scholarship+Students.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170225446-8V79U8YCE2LM00VUTGW9/Scholarship+2.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170230662-U0W80H69CW4CSC80BIW6/Scholarship+4.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170230874-MAJB7PY6FZWLZG3VEIVK/Scholarship+5.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170235648-E6QW8J0XXZSKY5IAGV66/Scholarship+6.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170235757-8OKLUE2Z9XYXPCCGJGHO/Scholarship+7.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170240479-3ET8AEF1VQTIRCEU1L1K/Scholarship+8.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170240685-M0GKCRVZMH92YOYPD0IF/Scholarship+9.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170245160-F015FOR892BBYYEUCHWU/Scholarship+10.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170245462-FB42HEK44LDXW7H5O3YK/Scholarship+11.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170249429-Z0GN8CVD60BXHJVD5S4R/Scholarship+12.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170249840-R7RMXQAFHS7DF4WYASAL/Scholarship+13.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170253481-BV5KZ4PSDXTOSBRQIW34/Scholarship+14.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170253888-4Z7HE813KN2JPMWWEVBW/Scholarship+15.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170257514-IS8UVYETICKP6LWTQV3D/Scholarship+16+Guerrero.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170257370-PYGFEVR2EK85IFEKYADX/Scholarship+17.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1575170263349-X77SV41HI0W8VK3W6U0Z/Scholarship+Perez+1.jpg 2019 Scholarships https://www.rgvshof.net/recipients-by-year daily 0.75 2020-07-22 https://www.rgvshof.net/distinguished-service-awards daily 0.75 2019-12-14 https://www.rgvshof.net/inductee-class-group-photos daily 0.75 2019-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1576643108020-UF3HY7JRO2NX1FAV8UP8/RGV+Sports+Hall+of+Fame+Class+of+2015 Class Group Photos Class of 2015: Seated (left to right) Family member for Alonzo “Knot” Garcia, Harold Hees, Juan de Dios Garcia. Standing (left to right) Aaron Ramirez, Jaime Peña, Stacey Siebert Banks, Lupe Rodriguez, Nati Valdez. https://www.rgvshof.net/class-of-2020 daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578112083452-V5KC7QVOJ5MDS3VLPDOB/Alsbury%2C+Paul+4x6.jpg 2020 Class - Paul Alsbury Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578112109487-VDS6QH7E7Q00D9R71GIF/Dodge%2C+Paula+4x6.jpg 2020 Class - Paula Dodge Hometown: Red Wing, Minn. Best Known for: Coaching – Volleyball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578112127975-R4N2J942R4424FVK0T14/Garza%2C+Rolando+4x6.jpg 2020 Class - Rolando Garza Career City: San Isidro, Texas Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578112146037-6F3I9NGF8JUQWIPHRWS0/Howell%2C+Larry+4x6.jpg 2020 Class - Larry Howell Hometown: Marion, Ohio Best Known for: Coaching – Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578112163250-TW0GXU7U8MW1SMQMJ7AT/Littleton%2C+Bill+4x6.jpg 2020 Class - Bill Littleton Hometown: Fort Stockton, Texas Best Known for: Coaching – Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578257495046-6P6NGZ08D1LT550U5VTH/2020+Reyna%2C+Mario.jpg 2020 Class - Mario Reyna Hometown: San Juan, Texas Best Known for: Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578575859964-A3WZBJ0SEXZBINLMP0P6/2020+Selber%2C+Greg+4x6.jpg 2020 Class - Greg Selber, Ph.D. Hometown: Austin, Texas Best Known for: Sports Journalism https://www.rgvshof.net/mike-buck daily 0.75 2020-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1553919982702-OMP9QCM40VS1X1C7WH8Y/2019+Buck%2C+Mike+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Copy of Mike Buck - Mike Buck Inducted 2019 Hometown: Deposit, N.Y. High School: Deposit High School College: State University of New York, University of Texas at Arlington, North Texas State University Best Known for: Officiating Buck is a highly respected football official who was one of the most recognized faces around the Rio Grande Valley. Buck played football four years, basketball three years, baseball and track for two years and wrestling for one at Deposit High School. He received degrees from State University of New York (Alfred), The University of Texas at Arlington and North Texas State University. His talents as an official have coalesced nicely with his career path. Buck is one of the most recognizable and respected football official in the Valley. Over a 38-year officiating career, he officiated 683 varsity and 723 sub-varsity games, including 43 playoff games. He also officiated Arena Football for three seasons. He is past president of the RGV TASO chapter and a member of the National Association of Sports Officials for nearly 25 years. He has done playoff tilts, All-Star contests, and countless big games on the local level, all with the same dignity and expertise. He retired after the 2017 football season. He held multiple administrative positions at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, where he retired after in 2008 after 32 years at the school. He is also a 25-year veteran as a major in the National Guard. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-alsbury-paul daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578149867224-GK2M64JT65YTXBQZ7HNR/Alsbury%2C+Paul+4x6.jpg Paul Alsbury - Paul Alsbury Class of 2020/Inducted in 2021 Hometown: Edinburg, Texas High School: Edinburg High School College: Southwest Texas State University Best Known for: Athlete – Football Alsbury was a four-sport letterman at Edinburg High, where he graduated in 1987. In football, he played safety and was the Bobcats’ punter for three years. In baseball, he played in the 1987 Texas All-Star Baseball Classic in the Astrodome. He received All-Valley recognition in both sports. Despite missing nine games because of illness during his senior season, he managed to receive a full scholarship to Southwest Texas State University. Alsbury lettered four years at SWT as the team’s punter and was selected to the All-Southland Conference first team in 1989 and 1990. He shared punting duties as a freshman and became the team’s top punter as a sophomore. He was All-SLC honorable mention in 1988. He punted for an average of 44.9 yards in 1990, which was seventh-best in the nation and earned him All-America honorable mention. He also played safety for the Bobcats. He attended the NFL Combine was drafted in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots as a punter. In 1992, he was drafted as a punter by London Monarchs of the World League of American Football, which later became NFL Europe. In 1996, he was a free agent punter for the Dallas Cowboys. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-dodge-paula daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578158963834-KBXXT12O9MQ8ASM0EWAX/Dodge%2C+Paula+4x6.jpg Paula Dodge - Paula Dodge Class of 2020/Inducted in 2021 Hometown: Red Wing, Minn. High School: Red Wing Central High School College: University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse Best Known for: Coaching – Volleyball Dodge has amassed an impressive 573-273 record over 24 years coaching volleyball at McAllen High School. A native of Red Wing, Minnesota, Dodge was a three-year letterman in three sports in high school before graduating in 1980. She played collegiate basketball at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, where she was a member of the 1981 AIAW Division III national champion team. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UWL in 1984 and moved to the Valley. Her first coaching job was at Brownsville Hanna, where she was the varsity track coach at Hanna High School from 1985 to 1993, coaching a state silver medalist. She coached varsity basketball at Lopez High School for two years before moving to McAllen High as head volleyball coach in 1996. Her Lady Bulldog teams have won five district championships and have advanced to the state playoffs 18 times – reaching the regional tournament five times. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-garza-rolando daily 0.75 2021-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578159268251-AR8JFMJ34K8NFDYOEACL/Garza%2C+Rolando+4x6.jpg Rolando Garza - Rolando Garza Class of 2020/Inducted in 2021 Hometown: San Isidro, Texas High School: San Isidro High School College: Laredo Junior College, The University of Texas-Pan American Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball b. April 27, 1960 Garza enjoyed a very successful 28-year basketball coaching career at San Isidro High School. As a high school athlete, he starred at San Isidro High, named First Team All-District three times, and was also selected Second Team All-State in 1977. Texas Basketball Magazine listed him as one of the all-time scoring greats with 1,850 points. He played at Laredo Junior College for two years and transferred to The University of Texas-Pan American, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1989. Since 1992, he has coached basketball at San Isidro High School – the first two as the Lady Tigers’ coach. His long list of accomplishments includes 12 boys’ District championship, 20 playoff appearances, six area championships and regional quarterfinalists, and three regional semifinal appearances. He was selected District Coach of the Year 12 times. While coaching the Tigers in his last year 2018-19, he also coached the Lady Tigers after the unexpected death of the girls’ coach. Including three years as the coach of the girls’ team, his career record was 607-256, a .703 winning percentage. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-howell-larry daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578159417986-9LJE077MQPOBESHUAPD7/Howell%2C+Larry+4x6.jpg Larry Howell - Larry Howell Class of 2020/Inducted in 2021 Hometown: Marion, Ohio High School: Madison High School, Mansfield, Ohio College: Purdue University Best Known for: Coaching – Track and Field b. May 4, 1942 Howell has made a living out of teaching and coaching, from working with special-needs children in the classroom to all-star throwers on the track. Howell graduated from Purdue University in 1965 and reached the Valley in 1978 after stretches in Minnesota, Ohio, and Houston. He coached at Mission for 12 years and coached eight years as a special education teacher for South Texas ISD. Howell produced four state champions in discus and shot put for the Eagles and a U.S. Top 25 thrower in Rachel Garcia of Mission Veterans Memorial High, also coaching at La Joya and Hidalgo. From 2000-07 he developed eight All-Americans as the Track Throwers’ Coach at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He has instructed track athletes in South Texas for more than 40 years, including influencing Rio Grande City’s Stephen Saenz to become the greatest thrower in Valley history. His All-American Throwers Camp has been popular for many years. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-littleton-bill daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578160700962-S2E6NNYY2DJVXPJQZYOF/Littleton%2C+Bill+4x6.jpg Bill Littleton - Bill Littleton Class of 2020/Inducted in 2021 Hometown: Sanderson, Texas High School: Sanderson High School College: Angelo State University Best Known for: Coaching – Football Littleton has built up an impressive coaching record as head coach in basketball and football. A native of Sanderson, he played sports at Sanderson High School, where he graduated in 1971. He is a 1976 graduate of Angelo State University. He has coached for 44 years, with stops in Sanderson (three years), Sterling City (four years), Iraan (nine years), and Cuero (11 years) and McAllen Memorial (17 years to 2020). He posted a 28-16 football head coaching record before coming to McAllen Memorial in 2003. He has also coached basketball and track and served as an assistant coach in football. Littleton came to Memorial in 2003 and has posted a record of 123-69 in 17 seasons. His Mustang teams have won eight district titles and 13 playoff appearances. His teams have reached the playoffs 16 of 21 years. His overall coaching record at two schools is 151-85 (.640). https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-reyna-mario daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578257942840-GGPBQMD0O1Y549TV3JJ7/2020+Reyna%2C+Mario.jpg Mario Reyna - Mario Reyna Class of 2020/Inducted in 2021 Hometown: San Juan High School: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School College: The University of Texas-Pan American Best Known for: Officiating – Baseball and Other Sports b. July 16, 1959 An official of many sports for 43 years and still counting, Reyna may be the only official in the Rio Grande Valley that has officiated UIL state championships in three different sports and one TAPPS state championship game. Reyna officiated title games in UIL baseball (1993 and 1994), UIL volleyball (2003), UIL basketball (2003 and 2005), and TAPPS basketball (2008). Additional highlights include officiating the 1998 Texas All-Star Basketball game and the 2009 Texas Girls’ Class 5A Volleyball game. Reyna umpired college baseball games for 12 years that included players that went on to play in the major leagues. He has officiated more than 2,000 high school games and 200 college baseball games. Reyna has served in leadership positions of local sports’ officials associations in baseball, basketball, and volleyball. In 2016, he was inducted into the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) Hall of Fame. In 2019, he received the Texas Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Directors (TAHPERD) David K. Brace Award, the highest award bestowed on a member, and was named the TAHPERD Administrator of the Year in 2015. https://www.rgvshof.net/2017-class daily 0.75 2020-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365095796-63ETRLOAHICWO0NGUT5P/%2F2017-tom-chavez 2017 Class - Tom Chavez Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365159988-BJDIH06BZ53UXNN5O98Z/2017-gonzalez-ruben+4x6.jpg 2017 Class - Ruben Gonzales Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Athlete-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365252353-DEZR3PBWXRN6UUDL9VBT/2017-Hernandez-Frank+4x6.jpg 2017 Class - Frank Hernandez Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365310785-NZQTM6NSOSPO8MVN9PLX/2017-Hinojosa-Manuel+4x6.jpg 2017 Class - Manuel Hinojosa Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Sports Historian https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365399313-P83J5GW7V09GOI6PO0MF/2017-Lancaster-Jim+4x6.jpg 2017 Class - Jim Lancaster Hometown: San Antonio Best Known for: Athletic Training https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365507914-ELH65A7QKZHV01V5QUE4/2017-Norris-Jim+4x6.jpg 2017 Class - Jim Norris† Hometown: Houston Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365708548-LQ430Q8KYK40ANMQDW7Z/2017-Sepulveda-Dempsey-Sonia+4x6.jpg 2017 Class - Sonia (Sepulveda) Dempsey Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365751203-76QA1P9BE4UZY7UO9G0O/2017-Villarreal-Tony-2+4x6.jpg 2017 Class - Tony Villarreal Jr. Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578365834877-2F7AKNGVNJQRZW1W5KNG/2017-Woods-Harlan+4x6.jpg 2017 Class - Harlan Woods† Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595423177228-SNIHSFKBPWWGSP0PKQV2/2017+Group+Stage+2.JPG 2017 Class https://www.rgvshof.net/2016-class daily 0.75 2020-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578368025235-CADW2D5QRCAQLU0GXHTK/2016+Cavazos%2C+Meme+4x6.jpg 2016 Class - Manuel “Meme” Cavazos Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578368225136-JYGM1P9LO7N4BHOE1WVD/2016+Colchado%2C+Cody.jpg 2016 Class - Cody Colchado Hometown: Kingsville Best Known for: Powerlifting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578368350982-GFHSR78G3P8MSR8UBXL6/2016+Detmer%2C+Koy+4x6.jpg 2016 Class - Koy Detmer Hometown: San Antonio Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578368625764-1VYDJEDMSLZKSBTS70LI/2016+Hess%2C+Roy+4x6.jpg 2016 Class - Roy Hess† Hometown: Neligh, Neb. Best Known for: Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578368793637-IN76ZSAPWTS4EK1PQ2Z0/2016+Marburger%2C+Eddie+4x6.jpg 2016 Class - Eddie Marburger Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578368877686-5YXBWWI4ITZ7X1CK25A0/2016+Ramirez%2C+Rey+4x6.jpg 2016 Class - Rey Ramirez Hometown: Rio Grande City Best Known for: Athlete-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578368964465-BPF4VXR0ZX19U1N1Z58V/2016+Salinas+de+la+Cruz%2C+Maggie+4x6.jpg 2016 Class - Maggie (Salinas) de la Cruz Hometown: Alamo Best Known for: Athlete-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578369051603-SV81KSSARR75BMTVVPYL/2016+Woods%2C+Becky+4x6.jpg 2016 Class - Becky Woods Hometown: Osceola, Iowa Best Known for: Coaching Volleyball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578369147886-V1P0VSV46PGXFNWTYHU7/2016+Wright%2C+Bobby+Jack+4x6.jpg 2016 Class - Bobby Jack Wright Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Coaching Football https://www.rgvshof.net/2015-class daily 0.75 2020-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578370195330-08QRU221C0O5N4O8G2OC/2015+Barker%2C+Tonmy.jpg 2015 Class - Tommy Barker Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578370262717-X9V9ZLWABHM4HS3MERAB/2015+Garcia%2C+Knot.jpg 2015 Class - Alonso “Knot” Garcia Hometown: Encino Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578370418414-AE0UKDO8OCSLWNV7D7V6/2016+Detmer%2C+Koy+4x6.jpg 2015 Class - Juan de Dios Garcia Hometown: Matamoros, Tamps., Mexico Best Known for: Coaching Soccer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578397917136-NPAO2Y1D7T1B77LG7WYZ/2015+Hees%2C+Harold+4x6.jpg 2015 Class - Harold Hees† Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578398025368-Z361KIBHCIQU1SH9AQSZ/2015+Pena%2C+Jaime+4x6.jpg 2015 Class - Jaime Peña Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578398102803-OPAZZ7577R98NZ2LYRGK/2015+Ramirez%2C+Aaron+4x6.jpg 2015 Class - Aaron Ramirez Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete-Distance Running https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578398194551-TLAET38W93RFINEMZTPF/2015+Rodriguez%2C+Lupe+4x6.jpg 2015 Class - Lupe Rodriguez Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578398246325-T9UGDV69JEQVFA6VZBWS/2015+Siebert-Banks%2C+Stacey+4x6.jpg 2015 Class - Stacey (Siebert) Banks Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578398309626-EWILYR16QLOB7PV9Z8ED/2015+Valdez%2C+Nati+4x6.jpg 2015 Class - Nati Valdez Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595422878883-HE4HSRX58AZ82LMMD729/2015+Group.jpg 2015 Class https://www.rgvshof.net/2014-class daily 0.75 2020-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578432671368-OJT0K1FJ7BDJ9PB5S1BQ/2014+Araguz%2C+Leo.jpg 2014 Class - Leo Araguz Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578452959970-TRFMME5WT3DKS886OF8W/2014+Clark%2C+Nancy.jpg 2014 Class - Nancy Clark Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Tennis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578453948603-FOQ49HS8DEWIOTJ6G956/2014+Gomez%2C+Jesse.jpg 2014 Class - Jesse Gomez† Hometown: Raymondville Best Known for: Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578453296269-2ALCBPIUE23TSAVHLNY3/2014+Hallbeck%2C+Vernon.jpg 2014 Class - Vernon Hallbeck† Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578454505220-2Z3G3ZKA8FDHIZBS3NIY/2014+Olvera%2C+Johnny.jpg 2014 Class - Johnny Olvera Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578454321033-0BCRZ6KXZMMZPOMP43FW/2014+Hinojosa%2C+Herbie.jpg 2014 Class - Herbie Hinojosa† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Horse Racing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578454399933-S2HLJ75WAMPR7F6V7YQ0/2014+Lambert%2C+Gerald.jpg 2014 Class - Gerald Lambert† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Football https://www.rgvshof.net/2013-class daily 0.75 2020-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578627191982-QJA0XPOUS8EELHDGKV8P/2013+Alexander+LuAnn.jpeg 2013 Class - LuAnn (Allen) Alexander† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629461410-M659OV6V7P71HD9NSP2W/2013+Ausmus%2C+Don.png 2013 Class - Don Ausmus Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Track and field/Bodybuilding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629512988-JNQUTUI7K2OIJ8X1CQ5I/2013+Caldwell%2C+Earl.png 2013 Class - Earl Caldwell† Hometown: Holland, Texas Best Known for: Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578455058941-WLZ1YUITJBX99OPZRTUR/2013+Green%2C+Buddy+2x3.jpg 2013 Class - Marshall “Buddy” Green† Hometown: New York, New York Best Known for: Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629875933-81ZPX678ILO0DOQK3ZD5/2013+Henson%2C+Bob.png 2013 Class - Bob Henson Hometown: Elsa Best Known for: Athlete-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629565642-TMH9XADMD7U9OSW8C0WM/2013+Jackson%2C+Johnnie.png 2013 Class - Johnnie Jackson Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629603510-I1LQ8MQ5Y85Z64N9IS0B/2013+Lopez%2C+Carlos.jpg 2013 Class - Carlos Lopez Hometown: San Isidro Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578629838521-4RJTV2BYJNS9S8QUK6PD/2013+Sanchez+Paredes%2C+Patsy.png 2013 Class - Patsy (Sanchez) Paredes Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Athlete-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578673172844-UPMAW96PR86QM3UOH97P/2013%2BZamarripa%2C%2BRaul%2B4x6.jpg 2013 Class - Raul “Doc” Zamarripa Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Athletic Training https://www.rgvshof.net/2012-class daily 0.75 2021-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659030864-ZS2NW2W7MYDUA2DI6NYT/2012+Beene%2C+Cathy+4x6.jpg 2012 Class - Cathy Beene Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659198596-8GX4EYIVU90JO3O86H5P/2012+Knetig%2C+Ed+4x6.jpg 2012 Class - Ed Knetig Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659394293-3KN2WWAJ4HSLAUSVMS2I/2012+Wallace%2C+Jack+4x6.jpg 2012 Class - Jack Wallace Sr. Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659074659-QD1MOGRKYH15AKYU7PQC/2012+Brisky%2C+Mike+4x6.jpg 2012 Class - Mike Brisky Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Golf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579821037246-EI3LQCRUZ6C1TBFGBV3F/2012+Schulgen%2C+George2+4x6.jpg 2012 Class - George Schulgen Hometown: Santa Rosa Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1622486057561-9N5Y4REA8WT3KE6G3FKK/Iglesias%2C+Iris+2021.jpg 2012 Class - Iris Iglesias Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Coach-Softball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578659346948-PJZW4DFUIE7IMBYKJF4O/2012+Vela%2C+Pete+4x6.jpg 2012 Class - Pete Vela Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coaching Football and Athletics Administration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613064629804-GP4R6YFQGIBBH5IFR88O/Group+2012.jpg 2012 Class https://www.rgvshof.net/2011-class daily 0.75 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578747935601-U4XJRPZ48LGC0GHA78MV/2011+Brumley%2C+Bob+2x3.png 2011 Class - Bob Brumley† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707498860-DMW0O5RHSCHP35GUKIZI/2011+Guillot%2C+Donald+4x6.jpg 2011 Class - Donald Guillot Hometown: Port Isabel Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578714383897-N3BNMVSKRRTBDSJWYUUL/2011+Zamora%2C+Ronnie.jpg 2011 Class - Ronnie Zamora Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707449516-NOSEV4660DAQWLC10Q23/2011+Bush%2C+Bruce+4x6.jpg 2011 Class - Bruce Bush Hometown: Nederland, Texas Best Known for: Coaching Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578748294264-YRAREU5MC6JBX1C7UTOM/2011+Sanders%2C+Travis+2x3.png 2011 Class - Travis Sanders Hometown: Port Isabel Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707475109-PLCANN4QSCJNGN7KNOT0/2011+Garza%2C+Sammy+4x6.jpg 2011 Class - Sammy Garza Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578748376889-MLJ3TIRLAFC1CSGWKS05/2011+Vela%2C+Carlos+2x3.png 2011 Class - Carlos Vela Hometown: Pharr Best Known for: Coaching Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613065138726-X5UJ0QMU55T4YKWSENM9/2011+Group.jpg 2011 Class https://www.rgvshof.net/2010-class daily 0.75 2020-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580911246-N8UBKTBB2N7U140A8LBJ/2010+Alamia%2C+Louie+4x6.jpg 2010 Class - Louie Alamia† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578764622296-3ALQIVPLXQUKO86LA1S7/2019+Farias%2C+Rey+2x3.jpg 2010 Class - Rey Farias Hometown: La Joya Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580032173-YLHNMOMNIL2GUTXFYVMD/2010+Garcia%2C+Willie+4x6.jpg 2010 Class - Wilfrido “Willie” Garcia Hometown: Rio Grande City Best Known for: Coaching Track and Field https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580354321-5B4X4AZ79C6KAMEK6ITX/2010+Howell%2C+Kathy+4x6.jpg 2010 Class - Kathy (Abbenante) Howell Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Coach-Track and Field https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580691074-GYXYN6TJUZOFZEG2ZX03/2010+Moore%2C+Otto+4x6.jpg 2010 Class - Otto Moore Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579580616043-VQ672YPKHW21ITDRAD9W/2010+Martin%2C+Donnie+4x6.jpg 2010 Class - Donny Martin Hometown: Port Isabel Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578764775528-UWV5XJMPW85V9LJVVABS/2010+Molina%2C+Mo+4x6.jpg 2010 Class - Erasmo “Mo” Molina Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coaching Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595471399589-L7BZUWV3CN3A76G5VVBL/2010+Group+Photo.jpg 2010 Class https://www.rgvshof.net/2009-class daily 0.75 2021-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975182622-B8X4X79NMOANO635N9CN/2009+Bazan%2C+Pete+4x6.jpg 2009 Class - Pete Bazan Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579042430151-TMJKQ40RFMCJV1VRA24I/2009+Cox%2C+Tommy+4x6.jpg 2009 Class - Tommy Cox† Hometown: La Feria Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975216046-WGCH8E4JBJA2LD10P5O6/2009+Detmer%2C+Sonny+4x6.jpg 2009 Class - Sonny Detmer Hometown: Beaumont Best Known for: Coaching Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975238385-GTV9MA20VF0J7HWB71X4/2009+Roberts%2C+Tommy+4x6.jpg 2009 Class - Tommy Roberts Hometown: Leander Best Known for: Coaching Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975291570-UI9M5I2ZWNU0EI30TQ8V/2009+Wright%2C+Lum+4x6.jpg 2009 Class - Elbert “Lum” Wright Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975259948-1XRZIQBRXI5C2P3DMVF5/2009+Salinas%2C+Hector+4x6.jpg 2009 Class - Hector Salinas† Hometown: Elsa Best Known for: Coaching Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614293538988-3A4ACEP6102NWYO4QVN3/2009+Tredaway%2C+Reggie+4x6.jpg 2009 Class - Reggie Tredaway Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coaching Baseball https://www.rgvshof.net/2008-class daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975545858-TSGC6LFL2HQSKE9BK9W7/2008+Corona%2C+Regino+4x6.jpg 2008 Class - Regino “Reggie” Corona Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975592468-B9120GX9MONKOUAOHTMC/2008+Filoteo%2C+Joe+4x6.jpg 2008 Class - Joe Filoteo Jr. Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coaching Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975642488-DW88WS5RLPO62QGOY66N/2008+Keyes%2C+Bert+4x6.jpg 2008 Class - Bert Keyes Jr. Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975694476-IGUSB1ILZ680IUA0LW8O/2008+Moore%2C+Tommy+4x6.jpg 2008 Class - Tommy Moore Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Officiating Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578951177167-SADUC4HR1K411RJ3RK8U/2008+Vela%2C+Robert+from+TV.jpg 2008 Class - Robert Vela† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coaching Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578975840178-DRC089AEA1UZEWZPN3V8/2008+Young%2C+Russell+4x6.jpg 2008 Class - Russell Young† Hometown: Pharr Best Known for: Coaching and Athletics Administration https://www.rgvshof.net/2007-class daily 0.75 2020-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978250462-383Y8OP1FV7EK9WYAHRL/2007+Alvarez%2C+Arnie+2x3.jpg 2007 Class - Arnoldo “Arnie” Alvarez† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978297625-SW9ADKSTLE2Y901EP5UX/2007+Longoria+Rodriguez%2C+Sylvia+4x6.jpg 2007 Class - Sylvia (Longoria) Rodriguez Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coaching Track and Field https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978358358-VK6Y2Y0U48V7VOD5HUF9/2007+Pompa%2C+Eliseo+4x6.jpg 2007 Class - Eliseo Pompa Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Coaching Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978513472-7X3C5X9HDMHQP9TSOYC0/2007+Solis%2C+Merced+4x6.jpg 2007 Class - Merced Solis Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Professional Wrestling https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978557001-2LZP68KXF9RVYE7CTJSK/2007+Torres%2C+Rene+4x6.jpg 2007 Class - Rene Torres Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Sports Historian https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578978606930-RMG0R12MPVIUVZ8U4DKT/2007+Villarreal+Johnson%2C+Magda+4x6.jpg 2007 Class - Magda (Villarreal) Johnson Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Track and Field https://www.rgvshof.net/2006-class daily 0.75 2020-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578977170475-2CRLXSHSYQ8EZV3JMFD8/Photo+Not+Available.png 2006 Class - Edith Rochelle (Barker) Davis Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579097557633-DO5MYAK9JFFYBNB6Y670/2006+Field%2C+Jackie+4x6.jpg 2006 Class - Jackie Field† Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579032668818-65EH4FRE05NEIB5T2OPJ/2006+Garza%2C+Gil+4x6.jpg 2006 Class - Gil Garza Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athletics Administration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579033632878-DPN8HNTGM7CC48YH9ITR/2006+Garza%2C+Leonel+4x6.jpg 2006 Class - Leonel G. Garza Hometown: Los Fresnos Best Known for: Coaching Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579032817582-GDSRRIC6S4EMYDKQOG3D/2006+Garza%2C+Meme+4x6.jpg 2006 Class - Juan Manuel “Meme” Garza Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578601287728-XO0ZBF77RT6RLNVP0VIP/Garza%2C+Rene.jpg 2006 Class - Rene G. Garza Hometown: San Antonio Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579032906703-81KG0V28ZX4I6R2HHY8O/2006+McLish%2C+Rachel+4x6.jpg 2006 Class - Rachel McLish Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Bodybuilding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578977170475-2CRLXSHSYQ8EZV3JMFD8/Photo+Not+Available.png 2006 Class - Amador Rodriguez† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579033025870-REZ5LRAKMXI653L4PJ0F/2006+Spoonemore%2C+Carl+4x6.jpg 2006 Class - Carl Spoonemore† Hometown: Raymondville Best Known for: Coaching Football https://www.rgvshof.net/2005-class daily 0.75 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186353324-58BXNYPMVG4EYMDRBH88/Barbosa%2C+Tony.jpg 2005 Class - Tony Barbosa Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579060226460-YJGXMPZGBQZR93A23UYS/2005+Castillo%2C+Juan+2x3.jpg 2005 Class - Juan Castillo Hometown: Port Isavel Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186380397-80NJYDSWZSRAW3B0YWI6/Denson%2C+Don.jpg 2005 Class - Don Denson Hometown: Torrance, Calif Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579060170976-J8WUN8T3B3YEDAXBFUTC/2005+Gonzalez%2C+Paula+4x6.jpg 2005 Class - Paula Gonzalez Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Coaching Volleyball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186405019-GI1JUVG5M0NYRFW6HE7N/Hall%2C+Red.jpg 2005 Class - James. C. “Red” Hall† Hometown: Hanna, Okla. Best Known for: Golf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1616618283473-95H6WY7PBG6PB5XVW8UR/2005+Houghtaling%2C+Jim_pp.jpg 2005 Class - Jim Houghtaling† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186432978-VV12AGZ97S9G8FI36XB7/Lugo%2C+Alfredo.jpg 2005 Class - Alfredo Lugo† Hometown: Donna Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579059886616-JHKVQAMX7C1I6OGD0H8M/2005+Zamarripa%2C+Nora+4x6.jpg 2005 Class - Nora Zamarripa Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186455936-ZQD6XBGF7DPPTMD9T6WH/Rodriguez%2C+Zeke.jpg 2005 Class - Zeke Rodriguez† Hometown: Rio Grande City Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1592186494588-VOV98O4P4GUTGFCNTGMJ/Wise%2C+Steve.jpg 2005 Class - Steve Wise Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Motocross Racing https://www.rgvshof.net/2004-class daily 0.75 2020-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579061245989-N6WY2E3N3OF4UVUVEGKG/2004+Anzaldua%2C+Amador+4x6.jpg 2004 Class - Amador “Mayo” Anzaldua† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579579797574-9VVI7NK2A67TIPOFKU6W/2004+Balducci%2C+Roxanne+2x3.jpg 2004 Class - Roxanne Balducci Hometown: Fitchburg, Miss. Best Known for: Coach-Swimming https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579061428995-J6BXPROGFMLNX9FDM0VK/2004+Capello%2C+Juan+J+4x6.jpg 2004 Class - Juan Jose Capello, M.D. Hometown: Elsa Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579090370380-ACEXVTT5SZXGZN5EO9HW/2004+Edwards%2C+Freddie+4x6.jpg 2004 Class - Freddie Edwards Hometown: Donna Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 2004 Class - Rogelio “Roy” Gonzalez† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Athletics Administration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579090919029-IGP1R847BHWKMZQWA850/2004+Harbour%2C+Todd+4x6.jpg 2004 Class - Todd Harbour Hometown: Football Best Known for: Athlete and Coach-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579090987797-3NQTFL6ZXHQUHX5ROYJA/2004+Hollingsworth%2C+Hank+4x6.jpg 2004 Class - Hank Hollingsworth† Hometown: Brownsboro Best Known for: Broadcast Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579091514301-H3YTQW9Q8ENYOH4N2EWU/2004+Vaughan%2C+Charlie+4x6.jpg 2004 Class - Charles “Charlie” Vaughan Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580530629070-GPSU8AQM2511MKKHXU8H/2004+Mims%2C+John+2x3.jpg 2004 Class - John Mims† Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579061625479-DF53EJTJWKTOF3LWB4A5/2004+Vasquez%2C+David+4x6.jpg 2004 Class - David Vasquez Hometown: Santa Rosa Best Known for: Coach-Track https://www.rgvshof.net/2003-class daily 0.75 2020-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579290811317-0YLQGIQNNY4V2DTLR4S1/2003+Avila%2C+Alfredo+4x6.jpg 2003 Class - Alfredo Avila Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579226220052-MBIU0SDJNVW639QY7K0N/Photo+Not+Available.png 2003 Class - Robert Capello Hometown: Edcouch Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579279597050-ROIN413C8SO8ZJKK8YO2/2003+Coleman%2C+Bert+4x6.jpg 2003 Class - Bert Coleman† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579118767705-2VYIC1GKXD2ZF6ET5I7F/2003+Crafts%2C+Willie+2x3.jpg 2003 Class - Willie Crafts† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579279651389-KV7N3O62AJ61DX4P9U4K/2003+Raders%2C+John+4x6.jpg 2003 Class - John Raders† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coach-Golf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579290968177-YFHB3S5SVMAHEORIKLI6/2003+Salinas%2C+Lupe+4x6.jpg 2003 Class - Lupe Salinas Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579279729815-1L7ICULXS9FTVAIL3KT5/2003+Villegas%2C+Ramiro+4x6.jpg 2003 Class - Ramiro Villegas Hometown: Rio Grande City Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579291133007-6KNJ4W3I9ZNIDLV5SU0M/2003+Williams%2C+D.+Joe+4x6.jpg 2003 Class - D. Joe Williams† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://www.rgvshof.net/2002-class daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1578977170475-2CRLXSHSYQ8EZV3JMFD8/Photo+Not+Available.png 2002 Class - Olga Aranda Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579118929521-DH1WSF1R4CERL1RIM5CC/2002+Avila%2C+Richard+2x3.jpg 2002 Class - Richard Avila Hometown: Donna Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581684376433-BYIGK84R63WTJXHM3XRX/2002%2C+Canul%2C+Lupe+2x3.jpg 2002 Class - Guadalupe “Lupe” Canul Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 2002 Class - Joseph Gerlicki† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Coach-Soccer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579821232648-OXX3ALWTDBDYAYX636R4/2002+Hinojosa%2C+Rene+2x3.jpg 2002 Class - Rene Manuel Hinojosa† Hometown: Mercedes Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614809120873-FUWHW56DBVDC1TYS1NDY/2002+Martinez%2C+Homer.png 2002 Class - Homer Martinez Sr. Hometown: Falfurrias Best Known for: Coach-Track and Field https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579097395784-1D2UCU5UMXPNBTUDTAJZ/2002+Moxley%2C+Paul+4x6.jpg 2002 Class - Paul Moxley Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614807796273-RXX9PIQ70E738TJ7E2P4/2002+Rodriguez%2C+Bucky.jpg 2002 Class - Camilo “Bucky” Rodriguez Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580438927026-YRUEY80XIPQ15XFYIYRM/2002+Shuford%2C+Lefty+2x3.jpg 2002 Class - John Albert “Lefty” Shuford† Hometown: Rio Grande City Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://www.rgvshof.net/1999-class daily 0.75 2020-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579485666801-DNN9E945SI6QCGE5X5EL/1999+Butler+Kalencki+Jeanie+2x3.jpg 1999 Class - Janie (Butler) Kalencki Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579486054764-1YQJ3Z7NYXR1V4NF7D5J/1999-crane-corky+2x3.jpg 1999 Class - Everett L. “Corky” Crane Hometown: Banquete Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579607381615-1ZRX8ZIFNYRWS3IZGG1B/1999+Garcia%2C+Gonzalo+2x3.jpg 1999 Class - Gonzalo Garcia† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579819999107-T83DGA8N8PPLPEDFQYCQ/Photo+Not+Available.png 1999 Class - Carmen G. Martinez Hometown: USA Best Known for: Coach-Volleyball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579487005716-NLS9B2P4VP6BAIB4VXXS/1999+Ramsey%2C+Jody+2x3.jpg 1999 Class - Jody Ramsey† Hometown: Brazosport Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579487714087-R5YZGBYPFH4GEGV53KI7/1999+Rivas%2C+Homero+2x3.jpg 1999 Class - Homero Rivas, M.D. Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Sports Physician https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707009382-PI3KAO1VK4UAJCK3XEY5/Photo+Not+Available.png 1999 Class - Joe R. Sanchez† Hometown: Del Rio Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707058997-THU0OQGI5I6JZPGO7BVZ/Photo+Not+Available.png 1999 Class - Efraim Vela Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Coach-Football and Administrator https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579819673728-98BZJ0X24W0MHS9FGNMG/1999+White%2C+Andy+2x3.jpg 1999 Class - Howard A. “Andy” White Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coach-Track https://www.rgvshof.net/2001-class daily 0.75 2020-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579119546068-00M63VH358GPQRID14NG/2001+Clark%2C+Margaret+2x3.jpg 2001 Class - Margaret Clark† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580470939286-3OE0BAINXGNKDPD67FI7/Photo+Not+Available.png 2001 Class - Charles LaGrange Hometown: Rio Grande City Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 2001 Class - Gerald “Dutch” Levermann† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820911795-8G4UB3XWZ62OIDPQM87E/2001+Nyquist%2C+Larry+2x3.jpg 2001 Class - Larry Nyquist† Hometown: Lyford Best Known for: Coach-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 2001 Class - Carl Owens Hometown: Oceanport, N.J. Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579707288082-S0UQJOUCCXCQ1XIAMVZ8/2001+Rodriguez%2C+Pikey+4x6.jpg 2001 Class - Rodriguez, Pablo A. “Pikey” Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820765538-TNOWO5C6C7ZTLE1587BT/2001+Salazar%2C+Dolores2+2x3.jpg 2001 Class - Dolores A. “Lolita” Salazar† Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Coach-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579143699523-Y88WB85RL5XGW94ZJ4ZR/2001+Villarreal%2C+Vic.jpg 2001 Class - Vic Villarreal† Hometown: Weslaco Best Known for: Boxing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579121062415-116165QWYN9WU6ZSFCPB/2001+Weekley%2C+Tom+2x3.jpg 2001 Class - Thomas B. “Tom” Weekley Hometown: Austin Best Known for: Officiating Football https://www.rgvshof.net/2000-class daily 0.75 2020-01-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579292959976-IF3DOR5FU4RH7HB0ZF4T/2000+Avila%2C+Celestino+4x6.jpg 2000 Class - Celestino Z. Avila, M.D.† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293033160-X56FLJHQPPVDGOF99UHT/2000+Guerra%2C+Jesus+4x6.jpg 2000 Class - Jesus “Chuy” Guerra Hometown: Roma Best Known for: Athlete-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293085933-IPUSO36VP8PKI4PSB82U/2000+Leal+Garcia%2C+Felipe+4x6.jpg 2000 Class - Felipe Leal Garcia† Hometown: Matamoros Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579122071956-VA2W1F8F6NOO9U3GEVV2/2000+Lerma%2C+John+4x6.jpg 2000 Class - John C. Lerma Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293142247-8QD8FNJ5505XXM6C3KI5/2000+Maldonado%2C+Frank+4x6.jpg 2000 Class - Frank "“Pancho” Maldonado† Hometown: Berclair Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293227229-GCDU70HM4RKIKBM3NPKJ/2000+Rodriguez%2C+B.R.+Poppy+4x6.jpg 2000 Class - B.R. “Poppy” Rodriguez Hometown: Pharr Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293326797-00ND6CI6KARU34MMEAXE/2000+Vela%2C+Ernesto+4x6.jpg 2000 Class - Ernesto Vela† Hometown: Rio Grande City Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579293421228-0GNXPQ8PRIVKD2NKFC43/2000+Woodson+Winston%2C+Theresa+4x6.jpg 2000 Class - Teresa (Woodson) Winston† Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Coach-Track https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-class daily 0.75 2021-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579817518009-JEOH1DQTJZ7F6V6UH852/1994+Evans%2C+Norm+2x3.jpg 1994 Class - Norm Evans Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569383017-VRTWM3C514Q1UY9EYL9C/1994+Hirst%2C+Gerald+4x6.jpg 1994 Class - Gerald “Jerry” Hirst† Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla. Best Known for: Coach-Tennis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580012187582-IE0PZUML04YNTC3LTVUH/1994+Hudson%2C+Jim+4x6.jpg 1994 Class - Jim Hudson† Hometown: La Feria Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569314878-3RZ1YELHST7NSV1WZ4MY/1994+Longhofer%2C+Jesse+4x6.jpg 1994 Class - Jesse Longhofer Hometown: Higgins Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579817640274-C6QMNU5RSEHVDJ5KV3BO/1994+McKone%2C+Jim+2x3.jpg 1994 Class - Jim McKone† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579818495263-YBSE6VT4LCHKQ2ZF1UGP/1994+Sauceda%2C+Daria+2x3.jpg 1994 Class - Daria M. “Dora” Sauceda Hometown: Donna Best Known for: Coach-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579818570645-POGODCFHQ8K6JZZLL8GO/1994+Smith%2C+Frank+2x3.jpg 1994 Class - Frank Smith Jr. Hometown: Edcouch-Elsa Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579994987380-4G6RRH1AWK5QS81B9ZC4/1994+Villarreal%2C+Eliseo+2x3.jpg 1994 Class - Eliseo Villarreal† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Athlete and Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569221867-4215UHVVK8FNM6O5E1MZ/1994+Zamora%2C+Chipper+4x6.jpg 1994 Class - Guadalupe “Chipper” Zamora Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athletics Administration https://www.rgvshof.net/1998-class daily 0.75 2020-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820243570-VWH1JADOV856FPLTQGR3/1998+Butler%2C+Tony+2x3.jpg 1998 Class - Tony Butler† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579148714146-4B9995CZ84DNU1JDGXT8/1998+Esquivel%2C+Carlos+4x6.jpg 1998 Class - Carlos Esquivel† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820326335-JAG256FN2KDTW5N441XQ/1998+Hernandez%2C+Boxer+2x3.jpg 1998 Class - Alfredo “Boxer” Hernandez† Hometown: Pharr Best Known for: Coach-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1998 Class - Margaret Levermann† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Bowling https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579491570889-VK5V28VXZYJIUSUT4AUK/1998+Levine%2C+Lewis+2x3.jpg 1998 Class - Lewis “Lew” Levine† Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579491744907-PCJB4F3WG8A52SOER9NY/1998+Nixon%2C+Charles+M+2x3.jpg 1998 Class - Charles M. Nixon† Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Bullfighting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579492163666-LIT8Q4Q689RO08Y9M3OY/1998+Pemelton%2C+Billy+Gene+2x3.jpg 1998 Class - Billy Gene Pemelton Hometown: Mercedes Best Known for: Athlete-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069158508-RL8CGYLI7CL49EEUEB7S/Soza%2C+Lupe+2x3+100+DPI.jpg 1998 Class - Maria Guadalupe “L:upe” Soza Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Coach-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579819452099-KS6EMLKX8FCW718Z0VSU/1998+Ward%2C+Al+2x3.jpg 1998 Class - Albert “Al” Ward Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Athletics Administration https://www.rgvshof.net/1997-class daily 0.75 2021-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1997 Class - Juanita M. Cantu† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1997 Class - Brooks Conover† Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Coaching – Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579666033559-JPLLZO7PQ2396BSF93AU/1997+Cortez%2C+Robert+4x6.jpg 1997 Class - Robert Cortez Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Coaching – -Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579527270487-EM7MJ5ER8KTMOMOCHJII/1997+Flores%2C+Adrian+4x6.jpg 1997 Class - Adrian Flores Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Officiating – Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1997 Class - Wayne Labar† Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete – Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1615410347147-TTQWCKHUVMU8G7AD7NZW/1997+Platt%2C+Jimmy.jpg 1997 Class - Jimmy Platt Hometown: Houston Best Known for: Coaching – Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820439065-34AWWSOMD8Y777O5YD6J/Photo+Not+Available.png 1997 Class - Mary Lee Rabke, Ph.D.† Hometown: Tivoli Best Known for: Coaching – Tennis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579818911042-0R8R9A3H73PO8DTRMX8M/1997+Stevenson%2C+Buster+2x3.jpg 1997 Class - W.M. “Buster” Stevenson† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Officiating – Football https://www.rgvshof.net/class-1996 daily 0.75 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579816095528-D1UVWPTRGOQ8B83IGY5I/1996+Casso%2C+Teresa2+4x6.jpg 1996 Class - Teresa Casso Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580095057157-B623958L4XP8XL7G8D6F/1996+Helms%2C+Jake+2x3.jpg 1996 Class - J.W. “Jake” Helms† Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579694247117-ZIJA3DKO5UU09FFTPS8T/1996+Pedraza%2C+Luz+4x6.jpg 1996 Class - Luz Pedraza Jr. Hometown: Donna Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579820554436-LQ4OO5VEPO3C6GSA1S5L/Photo+Not+Available.png 1996 Class - Stanley Etnire† Hometown: Mercedes Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579710896516-Q27E9DJ2K13RP2NKTMYP/1996+Helms%2C+Jim+2x3.jpg 1996 Class - Jim Helms Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Athlete and Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579995302165-5SX96P6DNNK3B35ETWVO/1996+Reichert%2C+Tommy+2x3.jpg 1996 Class - Tommy Reichert† Hometown: Pharr Best Known for: Officiating-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1996 Class - Leo Garza Jr. Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Coach-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579694302757-YHFSFTIE128LBFRVKBQE/1996+Leal%2C+Alex+4x6.jpg 1996 Class - Alex Leal Hometown: Santa Monica Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613065568187-JUEUF5QL30PV49544TI4/Group+1996.jpg 1996 Class https://www.rgvshof.net/1995-class daily 0.75 2021-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579607805116-EMTPLRUFXBDGWBZOZ3TM/1995+Ayala%2C+Ernesto+4x6.jpg 1995 Class - Ernesto Ayala Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579148548282-E8YX7S4MO4579HNG96X8/1995+Cantu%2C+Ramon+O+4x6.jpg 1995 Class - Ramon O. Cantu † Hometown: Rio Grande Valley Best Known for: Promoter-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579995780989-MV3ZGJNLPEHV0IN8QMS9/1995+Cleckler%2C+Mary+Jeanne+2x3.jpg 1995 Class - Mary Jeanne Cleckler † Hometown: Breckenridge Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579607858856-FO03IX2MGO1SZ84PYG2L/1995+Drew%2C+Tom+2x3.jpg 1995 Class - Tom Drew † Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581857669739-JAVI292I3WCMR2DPKRRD/1995+Estevis%2C+Camilo.jpg 1995 Class - Camilo Estevis Hometown: Alamo Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569171223-SMSJ8HYTAG8HK99LQYGA/1995+Guerrero%2C+Tony+4x6.jpg 1995 Class - Oton “Tony” Guerrero Jr. † Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Coach-Golf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579627688599-MAE5HKP0Y8ATKQS07RQV/1995+Jackson%2C+Luke+4x6.jpg 1995 Class - Lucious “Luke” Jackson Hometown: San Marcos Best Known for: Athlete-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579715188001-38W6II2G776RB8F461JS/1995+Parker%2C+Lloyd+4x6.jpg 1995 Class - Lloyd Parker† Hometown: Raymondville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://www.rgvshof.net/1994-class-1 daily 0.75 2020-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579147765142-1S2Q0YGZVHVZG97LAEC2/1993+Bloomfield%2C+Jack+2x3.jpg 1993 Class - Gordon Leigh “Jack” Bloomfield Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579148910778-472ZDCO71OFUIZ6Z3P18/1993+Connor%2C+Red.jpg 1993 Class - M.F. “Red” Connor† Hometown: Weslaco Best Known for: Officiating Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569448644-CV9SYAJYGSP6WJS43YLT/1993+Garcia%2C+Roy+4x6.jpg 1993 Class - Rosendo “Roy” Garcia Hometown: Los Fresnos Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580094426405-VVGC2ZWP5EDMLPVTFGZH/1993+Garza%2C+Eleuterio+2x3.jpg 1993 Class - Eleuterio “Lou” Garcia Hometown: Roma Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580094484625-XROKYD03Y09AIRL8TFEL/1993+Mosqueda%2C+David+2x3.jpg 1993 Class - David Mosqueda† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Officiating Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1993 Class - Glen R. Robie† Hometown: Pharr Best Known for: Coach-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1993 Class - Ray Stewart† Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Officiating Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1993 Class - George Vest† Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1993 Class - James “Jim” Wright† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://www.rgvshof.net/1992-class daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570062817-S55S4F2QXOL6W3IUXMIT/1992+Davis%2C+Gilly+4x6.jpg 1992 Class - E. Gilmore “Gilly” Davis† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570006103-2DOFJOI6HP79CNCVSYRJ/1992+Flores%2C+R.C.+Fito+4x6.jpg 1992 Class - R.C. “Fito” Flores† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569920547-XM3M9G4WB1KTLZZAP22X/1992+Flores%2C+Richard+4x6.jpg 1992 Class - Richard R. Flores Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580096838921-VLVIDYA18HF2UZ9L3F84/1992+Gorges%2C+Matt+2x3.jpg 1992 Class - Matt F. Gorges Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Officiating Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580097065233-GZ9PV1TJT4W3IDW51JUT/1992+Martin%2C+Bob+2x3.jpg 1992 Class - Robert L. “Bob” Martin† Hometown: San Antonio Best Known for: Coach--Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1992 Class - Anilda Thomas, Ph.D.† Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Coach-Golf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579569869480-H81CS86LBLW8L33W5ZUV/1992+West%2C+Tom+4x6.jpg 1992 Class - Thomas “Tom” West† Hometown: Texas Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579751864073-O0IM10B9AUWCD1H97G2I/Zavaletta%2C+Gus+2x3.jpg 1992 Class - Gus Zavaletta† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-class daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1991 Class - Max Cavazos† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579608943307-945B3V7RX3G6K5N762JK/1991+Esparza%2C+Thomas+PhD+4x6.jpg 1991 Class - Thomas Esparza† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coach-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1991 Class - Paul J. McMurtry† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1991 Class - Bernardo Peña Hometown: USA Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580183450781-YQLXWUBMYTW66G2AANF9/1991+Ply%2C+Bobby+2x3.jpg 1991 Class - Bobby Ply Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete--Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570138829-AR4K77YHTLSIFYGJV3JA/1991+Rodriguez%2C+Joe+4x6.jpg 1991 Class - Joe A. Rodriguez Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580183922492-RU9ZP2GGTQJKKGMC0DN3/Silver%2C+Gene+2x3.jpg 1991 Class - Gene Silver† Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Softball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580097568122-E8L0KTKRKPN98Y0BYB5F/Uhlaender%2C+Ted+2x3.jpg 1991 Class - Otto “Ted” Uhlaender† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://www.rgvshof.net/1990-class daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580212662584-N0CHUJQAR106UE2PCX6I/1990+Brooks%2C+Jim+2x3.jpg 1990 Class - Jim Brooks† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579494202534-S8QTHR8Y68O5S7CL4EZG/1990+Farris%2C+Bill+2x3.jpg 1990 Class - Bill Farris† Hometown: USA Best Known for: Coach-Tennis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579147443885-MTRVGXCIU2CQWOWJ9W4E/1990+Lackey%2C+Bobby+2x3.jpg 1990 Class - Bobby Lackey Hometown: Weslaco Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580212289025-ZKOPPJO0FMTXXKQEKSG0/1990+Rodriguez%2C+Camilo+2x3.jpg 1990 Class - Camilo Rodriguez† Hometown: USA Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580212792984-043NWRYC8CSAFS3GEJ14/1990+Stephens%2C+Jerry+2x3.jpg 1990 Class - Jerry Stephens† Hometown: USA Best Known for: Officiating Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580213036372-RWW4PF8HW8FLHOKOI9SB/1990+Strohmeyer%2C+George+Sr+2x3.jpg 1990 Class - George Strohmeyer Jr.† Hometown: McAllen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1580212846065-03K7H04SMGATYD2VI05G/1990+Strohmeyer%2C+George+Sr+2x3.jpg 1990 Class - George Strohmeyer Sr.† Hometown: Kansas City, Mo. Best Known for: Athlete-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579147580095-IXSOM2OCMYSLR8K2G2SL/1990+Watkins%2C+Mary+Frances.jpg 1990 Class - Mary Frances Watkins† Hometown: Singleton, Texas Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://www.rgvshof.net/1989-class daily 0.75 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614720535297-5I37MNY2YKGB2QX1AHQI/1989+Beaudry%2C+Charles.png 1989 Class - Charles Beaudry, Ph.D.† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1584912828396-9JZR36L7N9O32JACROPL/1989+Boyle%2C+CL+Smokey.jpg 1989 Class - C.L. “Smokey” Boyle† Hometown: Taft Best Known for: Officiating Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614693467339-U1H3YE2RMD8JMY1BB0TR/1920+Cannon%2C+Bobby.png 1989 Class - Bobby Cannon† Hometown: Crockett, Texas Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1989 Class - George Creasey† Hometown: USA Best Known for: Bowling https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614721090464-6V009PKP9G8D66U35VHJ/1989+Lawrence%2C+Jimmy.jpg 1989 Class - Jimmy Lawrence† Hometown: Harlingen Best Known for: Athlete-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579626401065-BYRAABT58DIU62C23Q62/1989+Lerma%2C+EC+4x6.jpg 1989 Class - Everardo Carlos “E.C.” Lerma† Hometown: Kingsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579146960911-BU1YVATX0LF8O29RVKV5/1989+Lohr%2C+Larry.jpg 1989 Class - Larry Lohr† Hometown: USA Best Known for: Athletic Training https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570217130-CF9WIACEN509JKD49B87/1989+Scott%2C+Earl+4x6.jpg 1989 Class - Earl Scott Jr.† Hometown: Brownsville Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570370560-78QNRI7KP1IB0SYADLAO/1989+Ogletree%2C+Al+4x6.jpg 1989 Class - Alfred “Al” Ogletree† Hometown: San Antonio Best Known for: Coach-Baseball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614802743641-MPHW7HL35QY697ACGISP/Heald%2C+Dessie.jpg 1989 Class - Dessie (Richardson) Heald† Hometown: Baytown Best Known for: Coach-Basketball https://www.rgvshof.net/1988-class daily 0.75 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579146413971-AHLZJI70H4R1LJHKKU2W/1988+Alaniz%2C+Leo+Najo.jpg 1988 Class - Leonardo “Leo” Najo Alaniz† Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579089324325-5NOOO890LG5TFF2XGX99/Photo+Not+Available.png 1988 Class - C.W. “Napper” Davis† Hometown: Donna Best Known for: Officiating Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579118379525-SBDS2MEOR2L0L2MNY8F4/1988+Landry%2C+Tom+4x6.jpg 1988 Class - Thomas Wade “Tom” Landry† Hometown: Mission Best Known for: Athlete and Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579117854447-MP3I4XP9NWMJOBYM46BD/1988+Morrow%2C+Bobby+4x6.jpg 1988 Class - Bobby Morrow† Hometown: San Benito Best Known for: Athlete-Track https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579145861014-Q464YO28AGE4IXNUCB26/1988+Williams%2C+Charlie.jpeg 1988 Class - Charlie Williams† Hometown: Refugio Best Known for: Coach-Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579145926904-X0EHOK43EIGT6B1N8FX9/1988+Williams%2C+Sam.jpeg 1988 Class - Sam Williams† Hometown: Edinburg Best Known for: Athlete-Track and Field https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613066200392-TL0NU5QTYZ92UIW6Q4AN/Group+1988.JPG 1988 Class https://www.rgvshof.net/hs-teams daily 0.75 2020-02-11 https://www.rgvshof.net/hs-final2-teams daily 0.75 2024-06-20 https://www.rgvshof.net/best-college-teams daily 0.75 2020-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581132778016-4LPFIE0DVN5AAM0GUEBM/1963+Pan+Am+Broncs+BKB.jpg Best College Teams 1963 Pan American University Men’s Basketball Team NAIA National Champions Semifinal: Def. Grambling University (La.), 107-86; Final: Def. Western Carolina (N.C.), 73-62 Head Coach: Sam Williams https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581195660423-NUFU3281HEHOGZWFAZZ8/2011+UTB+Volleyball.png Best College Teams 2011 The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College Volleyball Team NAIA National Champions Semifinals: Def. Lee University (Mo.), 3-2; Final: Def. Concordia University (Calif.), 3-1 Head Coach: Todd Lowery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581195736233-YKC9KZ1YL64AI8NTWYOY/2013+UTB+Volleyball.png Best College Teams 2013 The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College Volleyball Team NAIA National Champions Semifinals: Def. Wayland Baptist University (Texas), 3-1; Final: Def. Biola University (Calif.), 3-0 Head Coach: Todd Lowery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581995433378-J4SX7YSU0W3A86XHDDCW/1971+Pan+Am+baseball.png Best College Teams 1971 Pan American College Baseball Team Qualifiers for College World Series Game 1: Southern Illinois 5, Pan American 4 Game 2: Pan American 8, Seton Hall 2 Game 3: Pan American 1, Harvard 0 Game 4: Southern Illinois 8, Pan American 6 Broncs finish in 4th place in College World Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581355101058-A1AWTC84VFML1POKCMUK/1988+TSC+Volleyball.jpg Best College Teams 1988 Texas Southmost College Women’s Volleyball Team NJCAA National Finalist Semifinals: Def. Manatee (Fla.), 3-1; Final: Lost to Schoolcraft (Mich.), 3-1 Head Coach: Jack Loff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581355165917-2SAXFSRQ4LDCTNYX60H4/1991+TSC+Volleyball.jpg Best College Teams 1991 Texas Southmost College Women’s Volleyball Team NJCAA National Finalist Semifinals: Def. Miami Dade (Wolfson) Fla., 3-2; Final: Lost to Eastern Arizona, 3-1 Head Coach: Jack Loff https://www.rgvshof.net/best-hs-baseball-teams daily 0.75 2020-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581165305123-ADRH12A6CBAPW6ILQICQ/1965+Brownsville.jpg Best HS Baseball Teams 1965 Brownsville High School Baseball Team UIL Class 4A State Finalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581132873646-YFAUTLOUAM4LGCV9J4JA/1974+Mercedes+Baseball.JPG Best HS Baseball Teams 1974 Mercedes High School Baseball Team UIL Class AAA State Finalist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581132929206-R4BGU6QLT9TTF68Z26RC/1986+Mercedes+Baseball.JPG Best HS Baseball Teams 1986 Mercedes High School Baseball Team UIL Class AAAA State Finalist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581255245552-G3Z7UTEJCNMDY6A2DAAP/2007+Harlingen+South+Baseball.png Best HS Baseball Teams 2007 Harlingen South Baseball Team UIL Class AAAAA State Finalist https://www.rgvshof.net/best-hs-football-teams daily 0.75 2020-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581196005187-AQXBD01QSQ3PE4Z8S866/1961+Donna+Redskins.jpg Best HS Football Teams 1961 Donna Redsklins Football Team UIL Class 2A State Champions Head Coach: Earl Scott https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581254502273-QXX6C36UMIEM3YNCWB9Z/1962+PSJA+Football.jpg Best HS Football Teams 1962 PSJA Bears Football Team UIL Class 3A State Finalists Head Coach: Charlie Williams https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581254793625-R2FTHVC4H13AX0GV5FFQ/1963+PSJA+Football.jpg Best HS Football Teams 1963 PSJA Bears Football Team UIL Class 3A State Finalists Head Coach: Charlie Williams https://www.rgvshof.net/best-hs-softball-teams daily 0.75 2020-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581393412219-9CDTKM3SYMJ78A8PU2CA/2013+SB+Softball.jpg Best HS Softball Teams 2013 San Benito High School Softball Team UIL Class 5A State Semifinalist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581393458664-HO87VA90S4PDEKX6KTZC/2015+SB+Softball.jpg Best HS Softball Teams 2015 San Benito High School Softball Team UIL Class 6A State Semifinalist https://www.rgvshof.net/books daily 0.75 2020-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581996795100-RLEWR3O0QZQXNL9BNFK6/2009+Border+Ball.jpg Books - Border Ball: The History of High School Football in the Rio Grande Valley 1986 Mercedes High School Baseball Team UIL Class AAAA State Finalist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1582079658536-FY9XI5TR3Z0OCO8TL25V/Ford+Sasser+book.jpg Books - Why Would Anyone Officiate Football? 2013, by A. Ford Sasser III Available on Amazon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581997070137-VFYZ2KQDH6CZE9YR7029/2013+Bronc+Ball.jpg Books - Bronc Ball: The History of College Basketball at Pan American 2007 Harlingen South Baseball Team UIL Class AAAAA State Finalist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1583256776201-KN8BT8BCN07P0DEDAEWJ/Latinos+in+American+Football.jpg Books - Latinos in American Football 2020, by Mario Longoria and Jorge Iber Several inductees from Valley featured in the book Available on Amazon https://www.rgvshof.net/coaches daily 0.75 2020-02-19 https://www.rgvshof.net/state-champion-athletes daily 0.75 2021-04-05 https://www.rgvshof.net/state-champion-teams daily 0.75 2024-06-20 https://www.rgvshof.net/hs-state-semifinalist-teams daily 0.75 2025-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1589806258321-BDJICJ1PN5ZFUHVOPCIO/2018+McAllen+girls+soccer.jpg HS State Semifinalist Teams 2018 McAllen High Girls’ Soccer Team https://www.rgvshof.net/board-roy-hess daily 0.75 2020-06-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581352349902-N4AKBOZPB8SYCW4GHFHK/Iglesias%2C+Iris+2020.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Iris Iglesias (Copy) Iris Iglesias Board President, 2019-21 Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069099425-A261KE69T3QCWM8Q2NBW/Hinojosa%2C+Manuel+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Manuel Hinojosa (Copy) President-Elect Port Isabel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069196706-NV1FSNE9S7WRN6Y3IC4V/Zamarripa%2C+Nora+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Nora Zamarripa (Copy) Secretary Harlingen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554068962162-XALERRMN7VBXBLA0ILPM/Guerrero%2C+Tony+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Tony Guerrero (Copy) Treasurer Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069214797-SKJIRWHRXEQ4UDRM4LCR/Zamora%2C+Ronnie+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Ronnie Zamora (Copy) Parliamentarian Brownsville https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069021918-49M40KI2BGPGG0CMXTBL/Capello%2C+Robert+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Robert Capello (Copy) Director Elsa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069033442-DGD7DA17FY1DQGF8H2I3/Esparza%2C+Debbie+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Debbie Esparza (Copy) Director Harlingen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069042463-DWPAF2HEDO2W9SZ7ZWGU/Garza%2C+Rene+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Rene G. Garza (Copy) Director Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069051142-1XYCC2AH6PZ9LKATGPAE/Gonzalez%2C+Paula+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Paula Gonzalez (Copy) Director Brownsville https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069075416-XGG9N3UJNACRW9RKQBU9/Hess%2C+Roy+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Roy Hess (Copy) Director Harlingen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069085927-P02VHUODXQ9L60P4CK6W/Hesterly%2C+Lloyd+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Lloyd Hesterly (Copy) Director Weslaco https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069110882-CHKENGA9FX6PR2MZ5CHA/Lerma%2C+John+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - John Lerma (Copy) Director McAllen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554068989088-66S7R6LJG97FZHHBAQBL/Molina%2C+Mo+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Mo Molina (Copy) Director Harlingen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069139589-SNX1VIKJCSF021VS6ENC/Ochoa%2C+Ciro+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Ciro Ochoa (Copy) Director Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069148197-SDX6SRS8NHO6R25PUV1T/Perez%2C+Cesar+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Cesar Perez (Copy) Director La Joya https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1581130583888-PBO6GJKERF4Z84Y65E2W/Robledo%252C%2BCarlos%2B4x6.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Carlos Robledo (Copy) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069158508-RL8CGYLI7CL49EEUEB7S/Soza%2C+Lupe+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Lupe Soza (Copy) Director McAllen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069001599-1UMKCM0VDOVEUW9LHXQA/Torres%2C+Gus+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Gus Torres (Copy) Director Harlingen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069177069-IA2JTHZUGLF8WGEMT4KH/Trejo%2C+Tony+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Tony Trejo (Copy) Director Edinburg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1554069205510-OHNLJ5APBITFR53F6S4F/Zamarripa%2C+Raul+2x3+100+DPI.jpg Board - Roy Hess - Raul Zamarripa (Copy) Director Harlingen https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-recipients daily 0.75 2020-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400230433-2J2UQ7E4BCSIHIXVWI4Z/Aguirre%2C+Mya+4x6.jpg 2020 Recipients - Mya Aguirre School: Harlingen South https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593434699063-XHRR6WGYN05L5N9ZW9BF/Delgado%2C+Janie+Lee.jpg 2020 Recipients - Janie Lee Delgado McAllen Rowe High School https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400237531-TDCWRTTQRYARLC2B3AAH/Estevis%2C+Brandon+2x3.jpg 2020 Recipients - Brandon Estevis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400240083-FSOP9SONCKIQYAKH5YR5/Flores%2C+Roy+2x3.jpg 2020 Recipients - Ray Flores Jr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400239921-CXADSBVFCRE5JM9KWFQD/Gonzales%2C+Alexa+2x3.jpg 2020 Recipients - Alexa Gonzalez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400243194-2JVKTTRYL1KBTMVFU6YQ/Medellin%2C+Estrella+2x3.png 2020 Recipients - Estrella Medellin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400398861-FZFOMP06BOPJLTXLEHF0/Rodriguez%2C+Alejandro+2x3.jpg 2020 Recipients - Alejandro Rodriguez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400401576-THFPMZ9ZJCHTYY6LGBJ8/Rodriguez%2C+Joshua+4x6.jpg 2020 Recipients - Joshua Rodriguez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400401885-TZ1H8BEA9UHW7Q6TZOHV/Selber%2C+Danya+2x3.jpg 2020 Recipients - Danya Selber https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400403046-6JEM1JADUU4U3XLKWNTC/Trejo%2C+Derrick+2x3.JPG 2020 Recipients - Derrick Trejo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401108862-HNLNSOK6PZ94L0STA9XC/Cantu%2C+Veronica+2x3.JPG 2020 Recipients - Veronica Cantu Mission Veterans Memorial High School https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401125173-O97A3TAQ7LUA0I77LSS0/Northcutt%2C+Leslee+2x3.jpg 2020 Recipients - Leslee Northcutt Mission High School https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401260989-J9WKLKGUM3A8MRPBQTI7/Alaniz%2C+Brenda+Lee+2x3.png 2020 Recipients - Brenda Lee Alaniz Roma High School https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401242954-F14QJ4XPDGBPGUNJR57X/Compean%2C+Zac+2x3.png 2020 Recipients - Zeferino Compean Rio Grande City High School https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-aguirre-mya daily 0.75 2020-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400230433-2J2UQ7E4BCSIHIXVWI4Z/Aguirre%2C+Mya+4x6.jpg Mya Aguirr - Mya Aguirre 2020 Scholarship Recipient High School: Harlingen South High School College to Attend: Huston-Tillotson University Mya was a four-year varsity volleyball letterman for the Lady Hawks and team captain for two years. She was District 32-6A Setter of the Year twice. Mya was a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, HCISD Special Olympics of Texas volunteer, Harlingen South Adopt-A-Family, Teens in the Driver Seat Ambassador and Valley Baptist Medical Center Senior Santa. Mya plans to attend Huston-Tillotson University on a volleyball scholarship. She plans to major in Nursing and become a Registered Nurse. She is the daughter of Monica Pearl Arellano. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-delgado-janie daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593434699063-XHRR6WGYN05L5N9ZW9BF/Delgado%2C+Janie+Lee.jpg 2020 Scholarship Delgado, Janie - Janie Delgado 2020 Scholarship Recipient High School: McAllen Rowe High School College to Attend: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Janie received certification through Professinoal and Workforce Education in Career Skills and Employment Skills and as a Food Handler. She was all “A” Honor Roll for three Pre-AP subjects. She was also a member of the Interact Club for two years and volunteered in faith-based activities in her church youth group, FCA and Young Life. Janie was a member of the girls’ cross-country team for four years, track and field team for three years, and girls’ basketball team for two years. She was a regional qualifier in cross-country for three years and was named first-team all-district as a junior. She was also an area qualifier in track and field for two years. Janie plans to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and major in Business. She hopes to become an accountant. She is the daughter of Maria Arreazola Castillo. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-student-scholarships daily 0.75 2021-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1621630791834-W0L9IEKQE4DMOVFTJH9L/Alvarez%2C+Adriana+v2.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Adriana Alvarez Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227724945-Q9R6186SFPANBQVZVH5X/2021+02+Chapa%2C+Daniela+1.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Daniela Chapa Brownsville Veterans Memorial High School The University of Texas at Austin Joe A. Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227772616-8BE5YCXZJ6J79IWZBB84/2021+03+Fallek%2C+Chloe2+2x3.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Chloe Fallek McAllen High School The University of Texas at Austin RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227817483-DSKBM7Z74KMOYB0LGNWV/2021+04+Fraga%2C+Reanne+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Reanne Fraga La Feria High School The University of Texas at Austin RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227926567-UVEE6PU8XHDTAWONPA2F/2021+05+Garza%2C+Hayley.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Hayley Garza Mission Collegiate High School The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Kenneth White/Forest Hood Foundation Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227912390-Q534ULA8OUU0R68B8HK0/2021+06+Gonzalez%2C+Elizabeth+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Elizabeth Gonzalez Rio Grande City High School The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227959435-PDCS5I5PZJBY3O2AFQ42/2021+07+Guerra%2C+Lauren.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Lauren E. Guerra-Flores Sharyland Pioneer High School The University of Texas at Austin RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227977479-UKA77OAWJLPX9Y3BJWJH/2021+08+Gurwitz%2C+Kathryn2+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Kathryn Gurwitz McAllen High School The University of Texas at Austin RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228006632-O29PXIXZH4JM16C87A4X/2021+09+Pena%2C+Kayla+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Kayla Peña Rio Grande City High School Concordia University of Texas RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228021499-6NL44NQPE3ITCS5583U4/2021+10+Ramirez%2C+Reanne.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Ryann Ramirez Mission Veterans Memorial High School The University of Texas at Austin Kenneth White/Forrest Hood Foundation Scholarship – Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228038867-DYVT4P4MPORFAJQC8DTJ/2021+11+Reininger%2C+Korynne.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Korynne Reininger Harlingen South High School The University of Texas at Austin Herman Keillor M.D. Memorial Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1621772964991-9X7NBWHPMMHEF1WZ6C50/Richards%2C+Kylene+2.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Kylene Richards Edinburg Vela High School Texas A&M University RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228494842-KY3SYBGAQ4JISZ51RLHC/2021+13+Robledo%2C+Daniel.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Carlos Daniel Robledo Weslaco High School Texas State University Board of Directors/E.C. Lerma Memorial Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228524562-C89UR1O1RWC3R8TW0BPI/2021+14+Saenz%2C+Annika+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarships - Annika Saenz Edinburg High School The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-alaniz-brianna daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401260989-J9WKLKGUM3A8MRPBQTI7/Alaniz%2C+Brenda+Lee+2x3.png 2020 Scholarship Alaniz, Brianna - Brianna Alaniz 2020 Cesar Perez Starr County Scholarship Recipient High School: Roma High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Brianna was the eighth-ranked student at Roma High out of a class of 391 students. She was on the “A” Honor Roll for four years. Brianna was a member of the Lady Gladiator soccer and track teams and the Roma Futbol Club (FC). She was Vice President of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of the Math Club, member of the Student Council, Business Professionals of America, UIL Accounting Team, Earth Club, Speech/Debate Team, Gifted and Talented Club and Feminist Club. She was part of a BPA team that helped local residents manage their income tax preparation forms. Janie plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin. She plans to major in Business and become a corporate lawyer. She is the daughter of Herbey Alaniz. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-cantu-veronica daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401108862-HNLNSOK6PZ94L0STA9XC/Cantu%2C+Veronica+2x3.JPG 2020 Scholarship Cantu, Veronica - Veronica “Ronnie” Cantu 2020 Scholarship Recipient Mission Veterans Memorial High School College to Attend: St. Edward’s University Veronica was ranked #13 out of a class of 454 students at Mission Veterans Memorial High School. She was a four-year member of RGV Lead, three-year member of the National Honor Society and took part in other extra-curricular activities. She took part in seven volunteer service activities – the longest at the FBC Pharr Spring Break Summer Camp. Veronica was a member of the volleyball, basketball and track and field teams for four years – earning four letters in each one. She also took part in tennis for one season. She was named to six first team all-district teams, and received District MVP awards in basketball twice. Veronica plans to attend St. Edward’s University on a basketball scholarship – where she received the St. Edward’s Presidential Scholarship – and major in Kinesiology. She hopes to become a Physical Therapist. She is the duaghter of Rafael and Michelle Cantu. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-compean-zeferino daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401242954-F14QJ4XPDGBPGUNJR57X/Compean%2C+Zac+2x3.png 2020 Scholarship Compean, Zeferino - Zeferino Compean 2020 Cesar Perez Starr County Scholarship Recipient Rio Grande City High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Zeferino was the 18th-ranked student out of a class of 428 at Rio Grande City High School. He was a Student Council member for four years and reached the rank of President. His academic awards include All-State Oratory Speaker and Outstanding Male Participant at the National Hispanic Institute. He participated in the Starr County Youth Fair for two years, where he was also a scholarship recipient. His community service includes more than 100 hours with the Knights of Columbus Columbian Squires for two years, where he reached the level of Chief Squire; and Immaculate Conception Church, where he has served as an usher. He also volunteered with the RGC Hope for Paws for two years. Zeferino participated on the Rattlers’ football program for four years, and earned First Team All-District honors as a junior. He was also named First Team Academic All-State. He also took part in basketball, golf, powerlifting, and, track and field. Zeferino plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in business. He hopes to become a business attorney. He is the son of Elma Nydia Compean. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-esteves-brandon daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400237531-TDCWRTTQRYARLC2B3AAH/Estevis%2C+Brandon+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarship Esteves, Brandon - Brandon Esteves 2020 RGVSHOF Student Scholarship Recipient Brownsville Hanna High School College to Attend: The University of Texas San Antonio Brandon was a Top 10 percent student at Hanna High School. He competed in Skills USA, where he took first place in district competitions twice and placed at the state meets twice. Brandon was a standout for the Eagles’ football team. He was named Associated Press First Team All-State as a junior and Second Team as a senior, named the 32-6A Defensive Lineman of the Year and 32-6A Defensive Player of the Year. He also competed in powerlifting, was a state medalist his sophomore and junior years, and was projected to be first at the 2020 state competitition that was canceled. Brandon plans to attend The University of Texas San Antonio and major in Architecture. He is the son of Brenda L. Esteves. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-flores-roy-jr daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400240083-FSOP9SONCKIQYAKH5YR5/Flores%2C+Roy+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarship Flores, Roy Jr. - Roy Flores Jr. 2020 RGVSHOF Student Scholarship Recipient La Joya High School College to Attend: Texas A&M University Roy was a Top 10 percent student at La Joya High School, ranked 24th in a class of 636. He was an Academic Honor roll student and was Second Team Academic All-State in football. He was Student Council President, member of RHO Kappa, National Honor Society, and DECA. Roy participated in football, swimming, cross country and track, where he was team captain. Roy plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in Veterinary Medicine. He hopes to become a veterinarian. He is the son of Roy Flores. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-gonzalez-alexa daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400239921-CXADSBVFCRE5JM9KWFQD/Gonzales%2C+Alexa+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarship Gonzalez, Alexa - Alexa Gonzalez 2020 RGVSHOF Student Scholarship Recipient McAllen High School College to Attend: University of Arkansas Alexa was the McAllen High School Senior Class Vice-President, two-year member of the National Honor Society, and four-year member of the Student Council. Her community service includes the RGV Food Bank, Military Treats for Troops, Texas Storm and Dig for the Cure Breast Cancer Awareness. Her athletic accomplishments in soccer and volleyball are numerous. In soccer, she was the 2019 All-Valley Class 6A Athlete of the Year, the 2019 TASCO All-State goalkeeper, the 2018 and 2019 District 30-6A Goalkeeper of the Year, and other awards outside of MHS. In volleyball, she was selected to the 2019 Texas Girls’ Coaches Association All-State Team, 2018 All-Area Outside Hitter of the Year, 2017 All-Area Middle Blocker of the Year, achieved 1,000 kills as a junior, and other awards outside of MHS. Alexa plans to attend The University of Arkansas on a soccer scholarship and major in Sports Management. She hopes to become a professional athlete or coach. She is the daughter of David Gonzalez and Roxanne Rydell-Gonzalez. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-medellin-estrella daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400243194-2JVKTTRYL1KBTMVFU6YQ/Medellin%2C+Estrella+2x3.png 2020 Scholarship Medellin, Estrella - Estrella Medellin 2020 RGVSHOF Student Scholarship Recipient Brownsville Porter High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Estrella was the seventh-ranked student at Brownsville Porter High School out of a class of 467. She was in the Top Five Percent of her class for all four years at Porter. Estrella was President of the Class of 2020, member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, RGV Lead Ambassadors, Book Club and Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy. She was also Secretary to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes..Outside of school, she was president of the 4H Club and logged 678 hours of community service with the Keep Brownsville Beautiful project. Estrella was a regional qualifier in cross country four years and regional qualifier in track and field for two years. Estrella plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in Engineering. She hopes to have a career in Aerospace Engineering. She is the daughter of Maria F. Alcala. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-northcutt-leslee daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401125173-O97A3TAQ7LUA0I77LSS0/Northcutt%2C+Leslee+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarship Northcutt, Leslee - Leslee Northcutt 2020 Kenneth White/Forrest Hood Foundation Scholarship Recipient Mission High School College to Attend: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Leslee was the fifth-ranked student at Mission High School out of a class of 498. She was ranked among the Top 10 students for all four years at Mission High. She was also selected to the Mission Excellence Honor Roll. Leslee was Student Council Vice President and partcipated in UIL Academics, Art Club and Chess Club. She also tutored elemementary and junior high students, and assisted at elementary school dances. Leslie participated in volleyball, basketball and softball. In volleyball, she was district Defensive Player orf the Year and was named Most Improved Volleyball Player. Leslee has enlisted to the U.S. Army. After fulfilling her service, she plans to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and major in Mathematics. She hopes to become a teacher. She is the daughter of Marissa Chavez. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-rodriguez-alejandro daily 0.75 2020-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400398861-FZFOMP06BOPJLTXLEHF0/Rodriguez%2C+Alejandro+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarship Rodriguez, Alejandro - Alejandro Rodriguez 2020 RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Recipient McAllen High School College to Attend: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Alejandro was ranked in the Top 10 percent at McAllen High School Alejandro was named a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Gold Level Service Award, completing more than 100 hours of community service; member of the National Honor Society, participated in the National Hispanic Institute and recipient of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Certificate. He was also a member of the Music Appreciation Club, Gardening Club and Film Appreciation Club. Outside campus, he was a member of several community organizations. Alejandro took part on the Bulldog basketball and track and field teams. He was a regional qualifier in track twice. Alejandro plans to attend Duke University and major in Psychology and Pre-Med. He hopes to become a Clinical Psychiatrist. He is the son of Marcos and Erica Lopez. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-rodriguez-joshua daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400401576-THFPMZ9ZJCHTYY6LGBJ8/Rodriguez%2C+Joshua+4x6.jpg 2020 Scholarship Rodriguez, Joshua - Joshua Rodriguez 2020 RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Recipient Weslaco High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Joshua was valedictorian of the Weslaco High School Class of 2020 out of 537 students. He was a National Merit Commended Scholar his senior year, an AP Scholar with Distinction his junior year, and chosen by the National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program. Joshua was a member of the WHS National Honor Society, United Way Youth Ambassador and Mentor his Junior Year, Vice President of the National Technical Honor Society, state qualifier for C++ Programming in Business Professionals of America and volunteered at the Weslaco Cancer Awareness Tournament. Outside campus, he was a Red Cross Shelter volunteer at First Baptist Church, helped at Weslaco City Parks cleanups, and at the Aurora House Hospice Center. Joshua was a member of the Panthers’ basketball team for three years and was named to the District 31-6A Honorable Mention his junior year. Joshua plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and study in the Plan II Honors Program. He hopes to have a career in the medical field. He is the son of Jessica Rodriguez. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-selber-danya daily 0.75 2020-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400401885-TZ1H8BEA9UHW7Q6TZOHV/Selber%2C+Danya+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarship Selber, Danya - Danya Selber 2020 RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Recipient Edinburg Vela High School College to Attend: Trinity University Danya was ranked in the Top 10 percent of the Edinburg Vela Class of 2020. Danya was a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, Superintendent’s Award for academic excellence for three years, and National Society of High School Scholars. She was also a member of the Recycling Club, Yearbook staff, SaberStagers. Her community service includes six years as a lector at St. Joseph Catholic Church, LEO’s Club service organization for three years, Teen ACTS, Save Ebony Hills and social media manager at Superior Sports. Danya posted numerous athletic honors. She played on the Vela soccer team for four years, where she was co-captain and earned All-City, All-District and All-Area honors. In four years on the track team, she was area and region qualifier twice and holds the school records in the 100-meter dash and as member of four relay teams. She was also state qualifier for three years in nine events for the Edinburg Parks and Recreation track program. Danya plans to attend Trinity University and join the track and field team. She plans to study Engineering and Mathematics and hopes to become an architect. She is the daughter of Greg and Kimberly Selber, both professors with doctorate degrees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-scholarship-trejo-derrick daily 0.75 2020-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400403046-6JEM1JADUU4U3XLKWNTC/Trejo%2C+Derrick+2x3.JPG 2020 Scholarship Trejo, Derrick - Derrick Trejo 2020 RGV Sports Hall of Fame E.C. Lerma Scholarship Recipient Ecinburg Vela High School College to Attend: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Derrick participated in community service activities at the Palm Valley Animal Shelter, HEB Feast of Sharing and Vital Church. He participated in football and was named Second Team All-District. He was also Honorable Mention Academic All-State. Derrick plans to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He is the son of Delma and Steven Trejo. https://www.rgvshof.net/2018-scholarships daily 0.75 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1595878773210-3Y6KMBJ17UCU36K1AH2N/2018+Scholarship+Students.jpg 2018 Scholarships https://www.rgvshof.net/historic-photos daily 0.75 2021-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613059822454-L2UNTSOVJAPO50Q7UDOZ/Henry+Schmidt.jpg Historic Photos 1903: Henry Schmidt of Brownsville – believed to be first athlete from Rio Grande Valley to play professional sports Brown June 26, 1873 in Brownsville – died April 23, 1926 in Nashville, Tenn. (52 years old) Major League Debut: April 17, 1903, for the Brooklyn Superbas; last appearance September 22, 1903 for the Brooklyn Superbas Won-Loss Record: 22-13; Earned Run Average 3.83; Strikeouts 96 Henry Martin Schmidt (June 26, 1873 – April 23, 1926) was a professional baseball pitcher for the Brooklyn Superbas during the 1903 season. A star in the minor leagues, was acquired by Brooklyn and won 22 games during his single season there. The Superbas wanted him back for 1904, but he declined, sending a note to the team (with the unsigned contract for the 1904 season) that declared, "I do not like living in the East and will not report." His 22 wins is the most by a pitcher who only played one Major League season. He returned to the Pacific Coast League and continued his career in the minors.[3] After his baseball career he reportedly made a living selling fabrics. He was known throughout Texas as "Flannel". Henry Schmidt was referenced in the motion picture Off the Black starring Nick Nolte and Timothy Hutton. Nolte shares Schmidt's story as a life lesson with a young man that he has befriended. Information from Baseball Reference – https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schmihe01.shtml https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081360327-6UCYXOQ8HCSKF5WICRJS/1941+Mission+football+team+2.jpg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081011192-K46Y7MU1L4QZAZVHXBM5/Slide2.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081015987-RWXJJNYHHEXE12403122/Slide3.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081019573-J6L3U0CP1TZLQ6B3NZSL/Slide4.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081022114-CTS3E0EVM0F4E11FK43T/Slide5.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081025647-K7S0J1LICWYMKC9X2OGR/Slide6.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081027982-XG57SHHLF1XINV8JE2XZ/Slide7.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081030866-HVG9SZINJAE9VS2A6ZYU/Slide8.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081034881-SBCIC6UVRLZIOYVEYEWU/Slide9.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081038417-K2WH1T4LP4SS3H21KRQY/Slide10.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081043287-EYY9XGA6FBG4XYSDX3I5/Slide11.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081045001-EO2RONR06SZ1JZQWOMJB/Slide12.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081049236-PF4O04PVT4P8EXXO3IPC/Slide13.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081053886-EIMP3AZ4MSC8R55KGGZA/Slide14.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081055786-C97K6NFYTVTRFRTP5D59/Slide15.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081059689-3R7GACUDV7FAV2ZTJM59/Slide16.jpeg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613058436480-W3DACMOW21TWZA15IJWA/1942+San+Benito+football.jpg Historic Photos 1942 San Benito High Bi-District Playoff Game Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613058376509-6OV58R8HVBSOQKV4VSSM/1947+Brownsville+High+Basketball+Team+-+Coach+Bob+Martin.jpg Historic Photos 1947 Brownsville High Basketball Team Coach Bob Martin, seated center https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613065353925-MQ595WEWXJFJA0Z4GGHB/1958+EE+Basketball+Team.jpg Historic Photos 1958 Edcouch-Elsa Basketball Bi-District Champions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613058885228-HADZ2BQLIOJ60R8GJ846/PSJA+Bears+1962+1963.png Historic Photos 1962 and 1963 Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Bears Class 2A State Finalists Both Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613062879596-B92KPFX597Z2DG4K2D6D/PSJA+2+Teams.jpg Historic Photos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613058983212-EF3D8C4JT4YQ9DJSW60G/1965+BHS+Eagles.png Historic Photos 1965 Brownsville High School State Finalist Baseball Team 50th Reunion, 2015 RGVSHOF Induction Ceremony https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613080335477-0ZDAEJJNK4WTVZRNWFVA/1976+TSC+baseball+team.jpg Historic Photos 1976 Texas Southmost College Baseball Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613066659341-5MC7874KLO2MVPGU8DOZ/1984+Reunion+of+former+Mission+Eagles.jpg Historic Photos Reunion of 1984 Mission Eagles Football Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1613081542191-DRFDDYRNBXDKV2RLYA3R/2011+UTPA+Alumni+at+Banquet.jpg Historic Photos 2011 Reunion of UT-Pan American Alumni https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-selber-greg daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1614100638821-IO9VTUHV43MBMUT6UJQM/Selber%2C+Greg+4x6.jpg Greg Selber - Greg Selber, Ph.D. Class of 2020/Inducted in 2021 Hometown: Austin, Texas High School: Lanier High School College: Texas Christian University, The University of Texas Best Known for: Sports Journalism Selber started covering Valley sports in 1989 and since then has written for several newspapers, including the Valley Morning Star and Edinburg Review. Selber earned his bachelor's degree in journalism and master's degree in media studies, both from Texas Christian University. He earned a Ph.D. in communication from The University of Texas at Austin. Selber published his 460-page historical survey of Valley sports book, Border Ball: The History of High School Football in the Rio Grande Valley in 2009. He then wrote the 544-page book Bronc Ball: The History of College Basketball at Pan American University in 2013. Both books can be purchased online. Selber was named the 2011 Putt Powell Sports Writer of the Year by the Texas High School Coaches Association. At The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, he is a Professor in the Department of Communications. He continues to write sports for the Edinburg Review. https://www.rgvshof.net/pros daily 0.75 2021-06-23 https://www.rgvshof.net/1991-rodriguez-joe-a daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1579570138829-AR4K77YHTLSIFYGJV3JA/1991+Rodriguez%2C+Joe+4x6.jpg Joe A. Rodriguez - Joe A. Rodriguez † Inducted: 1991 Hometown: Edinburg High School: Edinburg High School College: Pan American College Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball and Football b. March 19, 1936-April 6, 2021 Rodriguez is one of the ultimate coaches/administrators in area annals, having been named to the state halls of honor of both groups. He was a backup quarterback at Edinburg High and after graduating in 1952 he went on to play basketball and baseball for Pan American College. Rodriguez moved to Brownsville and became one of the city's leaders as head coach of the Eagles in several sports. His baseball Eagles went 125-72 with two state Final Four appearances. Brownsville High reached the Class 4A state championship game in 1965 and state semifinals in 1966. Rodriguez’ football teams won 89 games, including the talented 1969 team that won a district championship and reached the second round of the playoffs. That 1969 team had gone 0-9 in Rodriguez’ first year in 1967, but the seniors enjoyed a banner season two years later. He was named to the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall in 1981, and in 2007, joined a similar ring of honor for state athletic directors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1618318733160-LT4IKYIXD4QZ9BVUJDLL/Joe+Rodriguez+-+basketball+-+having+fun+dribbling+at+PAU+1955.jpg Joe A. Rodriguez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1618318732732-SG7IDQQVAH6AR2YRHF7U/Joe+Rod%27s+1955+Junior+Class+Photo+at+UTPA.jpg Joe A. Rodriguez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1618318732769-HKHR8AMRQUZN07VPIMM2/Coach+Joe.jpeg Joe A. Rodriguez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1618318733545-MXXXDRSG5VM1CD0389XT/1965%2BBHS%2BEagles.png Joe A. Rodriguez - 1965 Brownsville Eagle baseball team at 50th Anniversary event in 2015 (Copy) https://www.rgvshof.net/2020-student-scholarships daily 0.75 2021-05-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400230433-2J2UQ7E4BCSIHIXVWI4Z/Aguirre%2C+Mya+4x6.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Mya Aguirre Mike Buck Harlingen Officiating https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401260989-J9WKLKGUM3A8MRPBQTI7/Alaniz%2C+Brenda+Lee+2x3.png 2020 Scholarships - Brianna Alaniz Roma High School The University of Texas at Austin Cesar Perez Starr County Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401108862-HNLNSOK6PZ94L0STA9XC/Cantu%2C+Veronica+2x3.JPG 2020 Scholarships - Veronica Cantu Mission Veterans Memorial High School St. Edward’s University Kenneth White/Forrest Hood Foundation Scholarship - Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401242954-F14QJ4XPDGBPGUNJR57X/Compean%2C+Zac+2x3.png 2020 Scholarships - Zeferino Compean Rio Grande City High School The University of Texas at Austin Cesar Perez Starr County Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593434699063-XHRR6WGYN05L5N9ZW9BF/Delgado%2C+Janie+Lee.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Janie Delgado McAllen Rowe High School The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400237531-TDCWRTTQRYARLC2B3AAH/Estevis%2C+Brandon+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Brandon Esteves Brownsville Hanna High School The University of Texas San Antonio RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400240083-FSOP9SONCKIQYAKH5YR5/Flores%2C+Roy+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Roy Flores Jr. La Joya High School Texas A&M University RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400239921-CXADSBVFCRE5JM9KWFQD/Gonzales%2C+Alexa+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Alexa Gonzalez McAllen High School University of Arkansas RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400243194-2JVKTTRYL1KBTMVFU6YQ/Medellin%2C+Estrella+2x3.png 2020 Scholarships - Estrella Medellin Brownsville Porter High School The University of Texas at Austin RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593401125173-O97A3TAQ7LUA0I77LSS0/Northcutt%2C+Leslee+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Leslee Northcutt Mission High School The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Kenneth White/Forrest Hood Foundation Scholarship – Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400398861-FZFOMP06BOPJLTXLEHF0/Rodriguez%2C+Alejandro+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Alejandro Rodriguez McAllen High School Duke University RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400401576-THFPMZ9ZJCHTYY6LGBJ8/Rodriguez%2C+Joshua+4x6.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Joshua Rodriguez Weslaco High School RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400401885-TZ1H8BEA9UHW7Q6TZOHV/Selber%2C+Danya+2x3.jpg 2020 Scholarships - Danya Selber Edinburg Vela High School Trinity University RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1593400403046-6JEM1JADUU4U3XLKWNTC/Trejo%2C+Derrick+2x3.JPG 2020 Scholarships - Derrick Trejo Edinburg Vela High School The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley E.C. Lerma Memorial Scholarship https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-alvarez-adriana daily 0.75 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1621630791834-W0L9IEKQE4DMOVFTJH9L/Alvarez%2C+Adriana+v2.jpg Adriana Alvarez - Adriana Alvarez 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Sharyland High School College to Attend: Northeastern University (Mass.) Adriana was a member of the Lady Rattlers’ basketball and volleyball teams, earning All Academic Scholar in basketball in 2019 and 2020 and in volleyball in 2020. She was All-State Academic Scholar in volleyball and basketball in 2021. Adriana was ranked among the Top 10 students in the SHS Class of 2021 out of a class of 375 students. She was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, was a Gates Millennium Scholarship semifinalist and was a Coca Cola Scholars Foundation semifinalist. For all four years of high school, Adriana was on the A honor roll and Dean’s List and had perfect attendance. She was also a Questbridge College Prep Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. She was very active in high school activities. She was HOSA Vice President and placed in HOSA area competition; member of BPA, where she was regional qualifier for two years. Adriana plans to attend Northeastern University (Mass.) and major in Biological Sciences. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-chapa-daniela daily 0.75 2021-05-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227724945-Q9R6186SFPANBQVZVH5X/2021+02+Chapa%2C+Daniela+1.jpg Daniela Chapa - Daniela Chapa 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Brownsville Veterans Memorial High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Adriana was a member of the Chargers’ swim team for four years. Distance events were her specialty. She placed second in the 500-yard freestyle in the 2020 regional swim meet, earning her a spot at the state swim meet. She became the first female from Veterans to qualify for the state swim meet. Over her swim career, she earned district champion medals in three individual and two team events. Daniela was a member of the National Honor Society for two years, the National Technical Honor Society for one and was on the A/B Honor Roll. She was also active in several school organizations, including HOSA for three years. She was activity in community service, assisting multiple church and cleanup organizations among others. Daniela plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in Psychology. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-fallek-chloe daily 0.75 2021-05-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227772616-8BE5YCXZJ6J79IWZBB84/2021+03+Fallek%2C+Chloe2+2x3.jpg 2021 Scholarship Fallek, Chloe - Chloe Fallek 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: McAllen High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin or Tulane University Chloe was a member of the Lady Bulldogs’ varsity soccer team for four years, earning First Team All-District as a junior. She was also a member of the cross-country team for three years, and was a regional qualifier in 2019. Academically, she was ranked in the Top 5 Percent of her class, on the All-A Honor Roll for four years and was an AP Scholar in 2019. Chloe received the IB Middle Years Program Certificate, was on the National Honor Society for three years, and was a Duke Tips Scholar since middle school. Chloe played violin for the Varsity Symphonic Orchestra for four years, and was on the IBM Lamar Academy Literary Magazine Club for two. She was also involved in seven extracurricular activities in the community, and spent countless hours doing community service over four years. She also created the Bear Mitzvah Project for the Vannie Cook Children’s Cancer Center for six years since middle school. Chloe plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in the Biology Honors program. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-garza-hayley daily 0.75 2021-05-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227881416-P4S9D1V0KY2T09D2V9E7/2021+05+Garza%2C+Hayley.jpg 2021 Scholarship Garza, Hayley - Hayley Garza 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Mission Collegiate High School College to Attend: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Hayley was a member of the basketball and swim teams for four years. In basketball, she was Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and Team MVP during her junior and senior years. In swimming, she was Team MVP for three years and the top point earner at the district meet. She was ranked 13th in her class, a member of the A-B Honor Roll and has accumulated enough college credit hours through dual enrollment to earn an associate degree from South Texas College. She was also a member of the National Honor Society. Hayley was involved in four student organizations and volunteered in community and school events. She plans to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and major in Engineering. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-fraga-reanne daily 0.75 2021-05-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227817483-DSKBM7Z74KMOYB0LGNWV/2021+04+Fraga%2C+Reanne+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarship Fraga, Reanne - Reanne Fraga 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: La Feria High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Reanne was a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball and track teams for three years each. She earned Second Team Academic All-State by the Texas High School Coaches Association in volleyball, and was named Volleyball All-Star MVP by the Valley Morning Star. She was also named 32-4A Tri-MVP. Academically, she ranked No. 4 in her class of 238 students. She was a member of the National Honor Society. Other activities included Marching/Concert Band, Varsity Cheer, HOSA, BPA, FCA and Environmental Club. She was a state qualifier in HOSA Medical Assisting. She was involved in 11 community service activities, including Vannie Cook Children’s Cancer Clinic, Special Olympics, Rio Grande Valley Food Bank and others. She plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in Nursing. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-gonzalez-elizabeth daily 0.75 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227912390-Q534ULA8OUU0R68B8HK0/2021+06+Gonzalez%2C+Elizabeth+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarship Gonzalez, Elizabeth - Elizabeth Gonzalez 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Rio Grande City High School College to Attend: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Elizabeth participated in four sports – basketball, cross-country, track and wrestling – and was a four-year varsity cheerleader at Rio Grande City High School. She is ranked No. 13 in her class of 415 students, was on the “A” Honor Roll for four years, and was a two-year member of the National Honor Society. She also participated in the Aikido team. Elizabeth served extensive community service hours in the Helping Hands non-profit organization, in the Miss RGC and Miss Starr County pageants, and as a server in her church. She plans to attend The University of the Incarnate Word and major in Nursing. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-guerra-lauren daily 0.75 2021-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227959435-PDCS5I5PZJBY3O2AFQ42/2021+07+Guerra%2C+Lauren.jpg 2021 Scholarship Guerra, Lauren - Lauren Guerra 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Sharyland Pioneer High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Lauren participated in soccer with the Lady Diamondbacks. She was selected as Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-District as a freshman and First Team All-District in her sophomore and junior years. She is ranked No. 5 in her class of 378 students, was an AP Scholar, National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, and a Rural and Small Town Recognition Scholar, Lauren was a member of the National Honor Society for two years. She was a member of the Band for four years, was a Drum Major and Head Drum Major, and a Texas Music Scholar and BOA Super Regional participant. She was a member of the All-Area Band for three years and a State Marching Band participant for three years. She was a Founder and President of the Mental Health and Wellness Club. She also a member of BPA, Environmental Science Club and Transformational Leadership Academy. Lauren plans to attend The University of the Texas at Austin and major in Architecture Plan II. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-gurwitz-kathryn daily 0.75 2021-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620227977479-UKA77OAWJLPX9Y3BJWJH/2021+08+Gurwitz%2C+Kathryn2+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarship Gurwitz, Kathryn - Kathryn Gurwitz 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: McAllen High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Kathryn was a member of the the Lady Bulldogs’ soccer team for three years and won its district title each year. She was co-captain during her senior year. She is ranked No. 3 in a class of 493 students at McHi. She was a National Merit Scholar finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Certificate and IB Diploma Candidate. Kathryn was a member of the IB at Lamar Academy Mock Trial for two years, the Best Witness Award Nomination at the State Mock Trial Tournament in 2020. She volunteered for two years as a tutor of a class of eighth-grade students in the Hebrew language, and taught Jewish traditions and history to middle school students. Kathryn has also been a member of the Melba’s School of Dance troupe for 17 years. She plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in biochemistry. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-pena-kayla daily 0.75 2021-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228006632-O29PXIXZH4JM16C87A4X/2021+09+Pena%2C+Kayla+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarship Pena, Kayla - Kayla Peña 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Rio Grande City High School College to Attend: Concordia University of Texas Kayla participated in tennis for four years, was a team captain for two years, and was a regional qualifier twice. She was the lone girls’ tennis player from the Valley to advance to the state meet. Kayla built a 34-2 record this season, was the District 30-5A girls singles champion, was MVP in District 31-5A Team Tennis in 2017 and 2019 and received all-district honors twice. Kayla also was USTA Super Girls Champion three times. She is ranked No. 2 in a class of 404 students at RGCHS. Kayla was on the “A” Honor Roll for four years, a member of the National Honor Society, and top student in Algebra 1 Pre-AP, Geometry Pre-AP and College Algebra at her school. Kayla volunteered in three activities with Beta Theta Iota, and helped at the Relay for Life Run/Walk. She plans to attend Concordia University of Texas and major in Kinesiology. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-ramirez-ryann daily 0.75 2021-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228021499-6NL44NQPE3ITCS5583U4/2021+10+Ramirez%2C+Reanne.jpg 2021 Scholarship Ramirez, Ryann - Ryann Ramirez 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Mission Veterans Memorial High School College Planning to Attend: Columbia University (N.Y.) Ryann was captain of the Veterans swim team, and advanced to the UIL Class 5A state meet where she placed 10th in the Diving finals. She also participated in the the VMHS archery and cross-country teams. She is ranked No. 3 in her class out of 435 students. Ryann was a member of the National Honor Society and was named to the RGV Swim Coaches Association Academic All-State team in 2020. Ryann was a member of the VMHS UIL, HOSA, Student Council organizations and was a member of the Destination Imagination team. She hopes to attend Columbia University (N.Y.) and major in Biology. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-reininger-korynne daily 0.75 2021-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228038867-DYVT4P4MPORFAJQC8DTJ/2021+11+Reininger%2C+Korynne.jpg 2021 Scholarship Reininger, Korynne - Korynne Reininger 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Harlingen South High School College to Attend: The University of Texas at Austin Korynne was a member of the soccer team for four years and earned the Valley Morning Star’s 2020 All-STAR Girls Soccer Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. She was All-District Defender and All-Star Defensive Player of the Year as a junior. She also participated on the Lady Hawks’ volleyball team for three years. Korynne is ranked No. 11 in her class of 424 students. Korynne was on the “A” Honor Roll for four years, a member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society, and was named to the 2020-21 Volleyball and Soccer Academic All-State teams. She was a member of the UIL Ready Writing team, Engineering Club and volunteered with several school and community organizations. She plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in Public Health. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-richards-kylene daily 0.75 2021-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1621772964991-9X7NBWHPMMHEF1WZ6C50/Richards%2C+Kylene+2.jpg 2021 Scholarship Richards, Kylene - Kylene Richards 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Edinburg Vela High School College to Attend: Texas A&M University Kylene participated in soccer for four years and was team captain for three. As a junior, she was named First Team All-District, All-Area First Team and Defensive MVP, and Honorable Mention All-State Team. She is ranked No. 9 in a class of 569 students. Kylene was named to the “A” Honor Roll for four years, received the school Excellence Award twice, and was a member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society. Kylene was a member of the Leadership Experience Opportunity for four years and FFA as a junior. She also took a leadership role with Leadership Experience Opportunity (LEOs) Club which is associated with the Lions’ Club, and also volunteered at First Baptist Church in Hargill. She plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in Agricultural Economics. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-robledo-daniel daily 0.75 2021-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228494842-KY3SYBGAQ4JISZ51RLHC/2021+13+Robledo%2C+Daniel.jpg 2021 Scholarship Robledo, Daniel - Daniel Robledo 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Weslaco High School College to Attend: Texas State University Daniel participated in football for two years and powerlifting for three years at Weslaco High School, helping the 2019 football team win a Bi-District title and Area title and qualifying for the playoffs in 2020. He was on the Honor Roll for three years and was a member of the National Honor Society for two years. Daniel was on-air host at the WISD Band Festival and Red Carpet host for the 2019 WISD Convocation. Daniel is an active member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, a tutor for disadvantaged children at the Boys and Girls Club, and a volunteer at the Movies at the Park and the Elks Club. He was also part of the Love Your Neighbor Project, Gibson Park clean-up and Pen Pal Program for the elderly. Daniel is also a musician who plays guitar and writes his own music. He plans to attend Texas State University and major in Communications. https://www.rgvshof.net/2021-scholarship-saenz-annika daily 0.75 2021-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/1620228524562-C89UR1O1RWC3R8TW0BPI/2021+14+Saenz%2C+Annika+4x6.jpg 2021 Scholarship Saenz, Annika - Annika Saenz 2021 Scholarship Recipient High School: Edinburg High School College to Attend: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Annika participated in cross-country for three years and basketball for four years. She was named First Team All-District in basketball and to the RGV Basketball Coaches Association First Team All-Valley. Annika was also named Offensive MVP in 2018-19 and MVP in 2019-20 for the Lady Bobcats. She is ranked No. 2 in her class of 580 students at Edinburg High. Annika was on the “A” Honor Roll for four years, an AP Scholar, and was a recipient of the Superintendent’s Award for 2018-19. She was also a member of the National Honor Society. Annika was President of the National Art Honor Society, a state qualifier for BPA, a Mock Trial regional champ, state qualifier and regional “Best Advocate” in 2020-21, and a state finalist in the Vase Art competition. She also logged more than 200 volunteer and community service hours with three agencies. She plans to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and major in English Literature. https://www.rgvshof.net/scholarships-application daily 0.75 2025-12-17 https://www.rgvshof.net/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/8a6795d4-96ee-44f2-9882-89812b8113fb/%2316.jpg 2022 Class - David Longhofer Career City: Harlingen Best Known as: Football Player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/f121fc83-a1e9-4df5-a5dc-4b5e2aa58b17/01.JPEG 2022 Class - Richard Thompson Career City: Sharyland Best Known for: Sports Administration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/b7547361-d79b-4f20-be00-6f7fa9c1c85a/Guerrero%2C+Tony.jpg 2022 Class - Tony Guerrero Career City: Mission, Texas Best Known as: Official https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/5e3bca19-3b99-4ed9-b59c-367e0210a621/LarryCaldwell.jpg 2022 Class - Larry Caldwell Career City: Mission, Texas Best Known as: Athlete – Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/f6a10827-50e0-4168-80c1-6ac450b49fd5/AOHOF005B.jpg 2022 Class - Albert Ochoa Career City: Edinburg Best Known as: Golfer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/56438b00-abf3-478e-ada2-56416666c210/1649866075304-e17e038d-8139-4ba7-af06-598dc1adb1ac_.jpg 2022 Class - Joe Solis Career City: Edcouch-Elsa Best Known for: Football Coach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/6d4c2b6a-8005-420e-85b6-f386d3d79fa4/2022_HF_Coach+Valdez.jpg 2022 Class - Gabriel Valdez Career City: Weslaco Best Known as: Basketball Player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/75fec930-ec94-45ba-bec7-525e1f3901f7/5BCDEE6E-0C24-4211-949E-1AC364152CE9.jpeg 2022 Class - Laura Vasquez Career City: Edinburg Best Known as: Track Athlete https://www.rgvshof.net/larry-caldwell daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/42dcebeb-5488-446e-a0e5-67e856bd56db/LarryCaldwell.jpg Larry Caldwell - Larry Caldwell Inducted: 2022 Hometown: Mission High School: Mission High School College: Rice University Best Known for: Athlete – Football Larry Caldwell had an outstanding career as a football player at the high school and collegiate levels. A 1967 graduate of Mission High School, he earned 13 letters in football, basketball, baseball and track at Mission. He was named to multiple all-district teams at running back in three sports, and was also named to All-Valley teams during his junior and senior years. He was named second-team all-state during his senior year, although he missed three games with an injury. He finished second in the Valley in scoring during his senior year. Caldwell was an outstanding baseball player as well. Immediately after graduation, he was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1967 after he decided to take a football scholarship to Rice University, where he was a three-year letterman. He played running back and wide receiver and started in two seasons from 1969 to 1971. Caldwell also played baseball at Rice. https://www.rgvshof.net/tony-guerrero daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/65cc4931-e638-45ee-bf05-ef7a83623004/Guerrero%2C+Tony.jpg Tony Guerrero - Tony Guerrero Inducted: 2022 Tony Guerrero Hometown: Mission, Texas High School: Mission High School College: The University of Texas at San Antonio Best known for: Officiating Tony Guerrero’s life has been one of service. A graduate of Mission High in 1972, Guerrero has spent nearly his entire adult life officiating sports. He took to officiating early by calling flag football and other intramural sports while a student at The University of Texas at San Antonio. In 1986, he moved back to the Valley and began calling games for Boys Clubs in Weslaco and Harlingen. Friends convinced him to join the Southwest Football Officials Association, the precursor to today’s Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO), in 1987. During his career in the striped shirt, he has officiated over 1,000 football games over a 34-year career. Included in that total are 17 UIL state playoff games, 11 Mexican collegiate games, and five RGV All-Star Games. Other accomplishments include serving as Site Director for the Texas 7-on-7 State Qualifying Tournament and working closely with 7-on-7 tournaments in Mission and Weslaco. When Arena Football League 2 came to the Valley, Guerrero served as the Compliance Officer for six years. He also worked for the NFL (2008-18) by scouting NCAA Division I officials. His information helped the league select new officials from the college ranks. In Mission, he has served as Chairman of the Advisory Board for Mission Parks and Recreation for 18 years, 12 as Chairman. He plans to retire from officiating after the 2022 football season. Guerrero is the son of Coach Oton “Tony” Guerrero, a member of the RGV Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 1995). https://www.rgvshof.net/david-longhofer daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/ad6f895d-5842-4c63-ae2a-b077a745314c/%2316.jpg David Longhofer - David Longhofer Inducted: 2022 Hometown: Uvalde, Texas High School: Harlingen High School College: Southwest Texas State Best known for: Football David Brien Longhofer comes from a football family. His father was a high school football coach for many years, so it was natural that Longhofer became a huge success in that sport. A quarterback, Longhofer earned All-District, All-Valley and MVP awards and helped lead the Cardinals to an Associated Press Top 10 ranking in Texas. After graduating from Harlingen in 1981, he continued his heroics at Southwest Texas State (now Texas State). He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at quarterback for Coach Jim Wacker. Longhofer was a part of two NCAA Division II national championship teams in 1981 and 1982. In 1984, he led the Gulf Star Conference (now the Southland) in total offense (3rd all-time for a season). During his college career, he set multiple records, including 4th all-time in total yardage and 5th all-time in passing yards. In addition, he made the All-Conference All-Academic team in 1984 and was a national All-Academic nominee. He later served as an assistant coach and teacher for 29 years. Sadly, he passed away in 2018 at age 55. David is the second member of his family to be inducted. His father, longtime football coach Jesse Longhofer, became a member of the RGV Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. https://www.rgvshof.net/albert-ochoa daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/b90f5817-efda-4bab-97a4-a5f851523616/AOHOF005B.jpg Albert Ochoa - Albert Ochoa Inducted: 2022 Hometown: Edinburg, Texas High School: Edinburg High School College: Texas Christian University Best known for: Golf Albert Ochoa’s career began modestly when his father signed him up for a Summer Golf Program at Ebony Hills Golf Course in Edinburg when Albert was about seven years old. By the time he was in junior high school, he had won multiple tournaments on the junior golf circuit, not only in Texas but nationwide. He was receiving flyers from colleges interested in recruiting him before he ever entered high school. He would reach greater notoriety on the Edinburg Bobcats varsity golf team, where he was twice named to the All-State team (1993 & ’95) and made All-Region four times. From there, he played at Texas Christian University for four years. He was named a Freshman to Watch by Golf Week magazine. He later engineered two All-American recognitions. One of those years (1997), he was ranked second in the nation among college golfers and became the WAC Player of the Year. In 1998, he helped the Horned Frogs to their second straight WAC title, and Ochoa earned honorable mention All-American honors. He was Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year while at TCU (which also won the WAC). He turned pro and competed on the PGA Tour. He competed with the best golfers in the world in the MasterCard Colonial Open and even the US Open – one of the PGA Tour’s four major tournaments. Ochoa now works as a general contractor in construction in the Rio Grande Valley. https://www.rgvshof.net/joe-solis daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/170430a5-7e6e-4ee0-8bf0-eed4883538ad/1649866075304-e17e038d-8139-4ba7-af06-598dc1adb1ac_.jpg Joe Solis - Joe Solis Inducted: 2022 Hometown: Sebastian, Texas High School: Lyford High School College: Pan American University Best known for: Football Edcouch-Elsa football has enjoyed many moments in the sun, but it’s hard to imagine things shining brighter than in the early 2000s when Coach Joe Solis took the team on an amazing run. The Yellowjackets, also known as La Maquina Amarilla (The Yellow Machine), were nearly unbeatable, going on a string of 37 straight victories from 2003-07. That stretch included three straight campaigns in which the Yellowjackets engineered a perfect 10-0 regular season. They were an incredible 51-8 over one stretch and hoisted six consecutive district title banners. On three occasions, E-E advanced to at least the third round of the state playoffs. Prior to coaching E-E, Solis guided his alma mater, Lyford High (1988-96), to a third-round playoff berth in 1991. The Bulldogs won their first district title in more than 20 years under him. He came to E-E in 1997 as an assistant coach and served as the ‘Jackets’ head coach from 2003-12. He won 121 games as a head coach and has seen approximately 15 of his players go on to play at the collegiate level. Solis focused on more than just producing outstanding football players. He wanted outstanding students and citizens. Each Christmas, he purchased toys for his players to give out to underprivileged boys and girls in their community so his athletes would always remember to help others. “I feel honored that I was successful enough to be selected as an inductee among all these great coaches and players,” Solis said. “It’s one of the highlights of my life.” https://www.rgvshof.net/richard-thompson daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/32b95d01-987d-4b2b-9703-231bc1df96a0/01.JPEG Richard Thompson - Richard Thompson Inducted: 2022 Hometown: Mission, Texas High School: Mission High School College: Baylor University Best known for: Sports Administration Like a virtuoso music conductor, Richard “Dicky” Thompson has spent a career focusing on the big picture – a symphony of sports. As an athletic administrator, he had to focus on every sport, just like a conductor must address each instrument to create a quality program. He spent his entire 41-year career at Sharyland ISD, before retiring in 2021. He began as a varsity assistant football coach in 1980. He also served as head boys’ track and cross country coach for 20 years, and as head girls’ cross country coach for seven years, winning a combined 20 district championships. In 1987, he guided his boys’ cross-country team to a silver medal at the Class 3A State Meet. He became the Athletic Director in 2000. Thompson was named Region VII Athletic Administrator of the Year by the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association (THSADA) in 2013. He would serve two terms on the THSADA State Board of Directors and was inducted into the THSADA Hall of Honor in 2015. Sharyland ISD renamed its football stadium Richard Thompson Stadium in 2014. One of the crown jewels of his career was in 2012, when the boys’ soccer team brought home a state championship. In 2014, he managed the expansion of the program as Sharyland Pioneer High opened. Thompson graduated from Mission High School in 1974. He was a standout in football and track for the Eagles. Thompson fostered a climate where student-athletes achieved success and did it in the right way – with honor, integrity and respect for their opponents. https://www.rgvshof.net/gabriel-valdez daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/9fb69117-d27c-477e-839e-05648b942ca8/2022_HF_Coach+Valdez.jpg Gabriel Valdez - Gabriel Valdez Inducted: 2022 Hometown: Weslaco, Texas High School: Weslaco High School College: University of Texas Pan American Best known for: Basketball Gabriel Valdez achieved amazing heights as both a player and coach on the hardwood. He was an All-State player for the Weslaco Panthers and later played at the NCAA Division I level with The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs. After an outstanding playing career, Valdez became a head coach, achieving success coaching both girls and boys teams. In fact, he has won more than 800 games as a head coach in Weslaco ISD. Valdez scored more than 20 points per game in three seasons as a Panther. As a senior in 1987-88, he captained a squad that went 31-2 – the best record in program history. He netted 28.5 points per game that year, was an All-State member, and earned a scholarship to what was then Pan American University. At UT Pan American, he switched to shooting guard and became a bona fide outside scoring threat who could set up teammates in the low post. He was a three-year starter for the Broncs, setting records in free-throw percentage and consecutive free-throws made before he became a member of the All-Conference team his senior year in the Sun Belt Conference. He won the prestigious Lou Hassell Award as his school’s most outstanding male athlete in 1991. His love of hoops took him into coaching. He guided the Weslaco Lady Panthers from 1994-2002, including an incredible 31-2 run in 1995-96. Next, he coached the Weslaco East Wildcats boys’ team for four seasons before taking the helm of the boys’ team at his alma mater, Weslaco High, in 2006. As of 2022, he had coached the Panthers to four 30-win seasons. https://www.rgvshof.net/laura-vasquez daily 0.75 2023-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/7beaf23e-ebd6-4366-abf6-e0fab5ff5f56/5BCDEE6E-0C24-4211-949E-1AC364152CE9.jpeg Laura Vasquez - Laura Vasquez Inducted: 2022 Hometown: Edinburg, Texas High School: Edinburg High School College: University of Texas Pan American Best known for: Track & Field Laura Vasquez was born to run. A state champion in two events, Vasquez made her mark on the track for Edinburg High. In 1987, she won gold medals in the 800-meter run and 1,600-m run at the regional meet and then repeated that double at the UIL state championships in Austin. At that time, she was only the second female to win two golds at state in one year since the early 1950s. That same year, she took the runner-up spot at the state cross country meet. As the state’s top middle-distance runner, she was invited to the US National High School Girls Cross Country Championships in New Orleans. She finished fourth there and went on to be named a Prep High School All-American. Her other accolades included a proclamation that named May 21, 1987, “Laura Vasquez Day.” She also received the keys to the City of Edinburg. She attended San Jacinto Junior College and earned a kinesiology degree from The University of Texas-Pan American. “I enjoyed the feeling, the adrenaline it gave me, and running among the top runners in the state of Texas,” she said. “I feel grateful, privileged, excited, and humbly honored to know my perseverance and hard work are being recognized by forming part in the RGV Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022.” https://www.rgvshof.net/2023-class daily 0.75 2026-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/a4d57095-8ada-48ed-96bd-79cdc2cc5377/Chad+Tredaway.jpg 2023 Class - Chad Tredaway Career City: Edinburg Best Known as: Baseball Player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/7ea675b0-e69c-4dd4-8649-5de8a30a3a7a/Torres%2C+Gus.jpg 2023 Class - Gus Torres Career City: Harlingen Best Known as: Football Player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/15d5453e-f17b-4381-aac4-d61b7f839574/Trejo%2C+Tony.jpg 2023 Class - Tony Trejo Career City: Edinburg Best Known as: Track and Cross Country Coach and Meet Official https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/18d7a954-1cbe-4e4e-9ad5-7814714c3ea5/Fred+Taylor+-+Suns-gigapixel-low_res-scale-6_00x.jpeg 2023 Class - Fred Taylor Career City: Edinburg Best Known as: Basketball Player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/5b96632e-7c1a-4e37-938b-e44463bebcfb/steve-picture+1.jpg 2023 Class - Steve Lunsford Career City: Harlingen Best Known as: Volleyball Coach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/f541deaa-bcff-4d8e-8c4d-3784e8cc6bd6/coach+martinez+31.jpg 2023 Class - Elias Martinez Career City: San Benito Best Known as: Softball Coach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/867b949b-d6d6-43b0-bebd-bf94c4e73d2a/IMG_2248.JPEG 2023 Class - Anna Martinez Mann Career City: Brownsville Best Known as: Track and Field Athlete https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/ba761e49-1b6c-4edd-960d-ac467e1a079b/image018+%281%29.jpg 2023 Class - Danny Goodwin Career City: McAllen Best Known as: Swimmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/b9d05cf6-beea-445f-8abd-8000c69149db/IMG_2602.jpg 2023 Class - Mike Ramsey Career City: Brownsville Best Known as: Baseball Player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/b57b97f5-d863-47c1-b05e-bfbd8a326cba/Carlos+Espinosa+Picture+2-19-23-2.jpg 2023 Class - Carlos Espinosa Career City: McAllen Best Known as: Golfer https://www.rgvshof.net/tony-trejo daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/c3fd1483-52fa-4a94-b240-e3ae494867a6/Trejo%2C+Tony.jpg Tony Trejo - Tony Tejo Hometown: Edinburg, Texas High School: Edinburg High (Class of ’74) College: Pan American University Best known for: Track & Field, Cross Country Trejo is remembered for his work in track and field plus cross country. He coached in the RGV for 38 years. His teams won multiple district championships and regional titles at McAllen Memorial High. He passed away in 2022 at age 67. “What made him a great coach was his love for his athletes and his passion to see them succeed, not only in their sport but in life,” Trejo’s son, Jesse, said. “My dad coached anyone who would listen to him. He made everyone better for having known him.” Jesse still can recall his father’s excitement for his athletes. “My favorite memory of my dad was watching him win the regional cross country title in 1995,” he said. “Seeing his excitement and the genuine love his runners had for him made us see our dad in a different light. My siblings and I shared him with the world, and we never felt like he loved us any less. Dad being not only our hero, but the hero of many of those he coached and mentored is the best memory.” https://www.rgvshof.net/elias-martinez daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/620034b2-809a-485b-a817-64d6ac7d8e45/coach+martinez+31.jpg Elias Martinez - Elias Martinez Hometown: San Benito, Texas High School: San Benito High College: Pan American University Best known for: Softball Coach Martinez is best known for taking three different teams to the state softball tournament. Named Coach of the Year 11 times, he is currently the fourth-winningest coach in Texas with 536 victories. “Coach Erasmo “Mo” Molina was a great influence in my life,” Martinez said. “Coach Molina was my high school football coach at San Benito. I saw the love and passion that he had for his athletes and sports and how much work he put into it. I saw the relationship he had with all his players. Besides being our coach, he was also a father figure to a lot of us.” He guided the Greyhounds to the State Softball Tournament in Austin in 2013, 2015, and 2023. Twice, his teams were ranked as high as No. 3 in Texas. His teams won at least 20 games for 20 consecutive seasons and surpassed 30 wins five times. “As being a coach, you don't know how you're affecting young players' lives until years down the road, and you hope that you have set a positive example,” he said. https://www.rgvshof.net/chad-treadaway daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/e17a60c1-0b61-46ad-837e-782de1de5f37/Chad+Tredaway.jpg Chad Tredaway - Chad Tredaway Hometown: Edinburg, Texas High School: Edinburg High (’90) College: Seminole State College of Florida Best known for: Baseball Tredaway played baseball at Edinburg High (Class of ’90). He was National Junior College Athletic Association Player of the Year before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs and embarking on a professional career. He also played for Reynosa in the Mexican League before managing the minor league Edinburg Roadrunners and the Fort Worth Cats. “I’ve had quite a few great memories, but managing in my hometown for the Roadrunners in our inaugural season and winning the championship in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks is something I will never forget,” Tredaway said. “I was so proud to be a part of that team, and not only winning the title that year, but coping with 9/11 together.” He is the son of 2009 inductee Reggie Tredaway. “I was lucky to have a father who is one of the best baseball minds around,” Chad said. “I got a front seat to that every day, and everything I’ve done in this game is because he instilled that into me.” https://www.rgvshof.net/anna-martinezmann daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/7d9a319e-f281-4d5c-8a00-bd10873a6caf/IMG_2248.JPEG Anna Martinez-Mann - Anna Martinez-Mann Hometown: Brownsville, Texas High School: Brownsville Porter High (’82) College: Pan American University Best known for: Track & Field Martinez-Mann is the RGV’s record holder in the long jump and earned a trip to the state track and field meet. She later competed for Pan American University, advancing to national competition three times for the Lady Broncs. One of her favorite memories is from a meet while competing for the Lady Broncs. “While at Pan American University, I won gold and performed a personal best jump of 20-feet, 3-inches at a track meet in Laredo, Texas.” She ranked fifth in the state her senior year in high school. In college, she competed at the NAIA national meet three times from 1983-85. Her best finish was sixth in ’85. She described her emotions on being inducted as “surprised, excited, and humbled.” “Thank you to those who saw that I was worthy to be mentioned and inducted after all these years,” she said. https://www.rgvshof.net/steve-lunsford daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/590bfd2a-0bff-4c7a-961c-438d9e93537c/steve-picture+1.jpg Steve Lunsford - Steve Lunsford Hometown: Hallsville, Texas High School: Hallsville High (’76) College: Kilgore Junior College, Stephen F. Austin State Best known for: Volleyball Coach At Harlingen South High, Lunsford coached the Lady Hawks into the Regional Tournament five times. He coached volleyball for 12 seasons, earning 10 playoff trips. In 2003, South became the first RGV team to reach the state final four in volleyball. The Lady Hawks won eight district titles, 10 bi-district titles, seven area championships, five regional quarterfinal titles and reached the Sweet 16 five times. “My mentors in volleyball were all of the coaches I had the opportunity to coach with or against because that is where I learned to appreciate the sport,” Lunsford said. “My volleyball education goes back to the great volleyball coaches we have here in the Valley.” His teams averaged 27 wins per year. Such success has provided a wealth of memories. “All of my hundreds of favorite memories from my career are of the great athletes that I was surrounded by year after year,” he recalled. “I was truly blessed to have had the experience to coach great athletes who have now matured into responsible adults.” https://www.rgvshof.net/new-page-2 daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/ddd656b3-f4d8-41d8-ad3b-a14b77566d78/IMG_2602.jpg Mike Ramsey - Mike Ramsey Hometown: Brownsville High School: Brownsville Hanna (’80) College: Texas Christian University Best known for: Baseball Ramsey made his mark in baseball. A 1980 graduate of Brownsville Hanna, he played collegiate baseball for Texas Christian University and was an All-American in 1985. The Cincinnati Reds drafted him that same year, and he played professional ball in the minors. He later worked as an instructor and coach for more than 25 years. Ramsey cites his parents as his biggest influence growing up before baseball became more serious. “As I moved into a more competitive baseball environment, I would say my coaches became influencers; from high school Coach Carlos Chaves, junior college coaches Hector Salinas and Rick Lepre, and then TCU coaches Bragg Stockton and Dave Schmotzer,” he said. “All these gentlemen provided opportunity for me to become a better baseball player, to learn to play the game the right way, to be humble, and yet, have a sense of confidence about how I carried myself on and off the field. I’m the man I am today, in some part, because of the influences of these guys!” In 2003, he co-founded the Texoma Baseball Academy in Denison, Texas. He has trained hundreds of baseball and softball players from all over north Texas and southeastern Oklahoma. https://www.rgvshof.net/carlos-espinoza daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/e0c588d2-88ce-4511-98ed-481e7db805be/Carlos+Espinosa+Picture+2-19-23-2.jpg Carlos Espinoza - Carlos Espinosa Hometown: McAllen, Texas High School: McAllen High (’80) College: University of Houston Best known for: Golf Espinosa played for McAllen High and later for the University of Houston, where he helped the Cougars win the national title in 1985. He played professionally around the world for 14 years and is now the golf pro at Champion Lakes Golf Course in McAllen. One of several people who impacted his career was Steve Elkington, who won 17 professional tournaments including a PGA Championship – one of golf’s four major tournaments. “Steve took me under his wing during our senior year in college; he opened my eyes to the realities of competitive golf and, at the same time, served as my bridge to some of the best teachers, players, and minds in the game of golf, including former Masters and PGA Champion Jackie Burke,” Espinosa said. “It was through Steve I was able to grow my relationship with Mr. Burke and shape many of the ideas I use every day to manage and grow the game at McAllen’s Champion Lakes Golf Course.” He will become just the fourth golf athlete (Tony Butler 1998, Mike Brisky 2012, Albert Ochoa 2022) to enter the RGV Sports Hall of Fame. https://www.rgvshof.net/gus-torres daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/fd07e9cf-cd48-4707-a083-1f2d5ec085ac/Torres%2C+Gus.jpg Gus Torres - Gus Torres Hometown: Harlingen, Texas High School: Harlingen High (’73) College: Livingston University (now West Alabama) Best known for: Football Harlingen Cardinal football fans still remember Gus Torres. He was All-Valley Defensive Player of the Year in 1972. He was also named to the All-South Texas First Team by the Corpus Christi Caller Times. He later played college football at the NCAA Division II level for Livingston University (now West Alabama). The Tigers advanced to the national semifinals in 1975. One of his favorite high school memories stems from his senior year. “…We were playing Alice High School in Bi-District,” he said. “I was credited with 24 tackles and three fumble recoveries for my final high school football game.” He has fond memories of Cardinals Head Coach Jesse Longhofer (a 1994 inductee). “Jesse always pushed me to be the best that I could be,” he said. “What I remember the most was, after the last football game, he met with all the seniors and asked us who wanted to continue playing football. Those that said they wanted to continue …Jesse told us he could try to get us a scholarship and get us into college.” https://www.rgvshof.net/fred-taylor daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/eab657b5-2020-4061-8169-711afb43d3c2/Fred+Taylor+-+Suns-gigapixel-low_res-scale-6_00x.jpg Fred Taylor - Fred Taylor Hometown: Houston High School: Houston Wheatley High (’66) College: Pan American College (Edinburg, TX.) Best known for: Basketball Taylor played two seasons in the NBA after competing for Pan American College in 1967-70 and became the Broncs’ 4th all-time leading scorer. Drafted by the Phoenix Suns, he played with them for one year. He spent the next season with the Cincinnati Royals, where he was teammates with NBA Hall of Famer Nate “Tiny” Archibald. “Two coaches influenced me the most,” Taylor said. “Number one: Jackie Carr at Phillis Wheatley High helped me develop my jump shot, and Coach Sam Williams (at Pan American) helped me hone different aspects of my game and instilled the confidence that I could make it at the next level.” Taylor appreciates the impact the Valley had on his life. “When I first came to Pan American, it was the first time being in an integrated environment, and the people of the Valley were very welcoming and friendly, and it made me feel at home,” he said. “I just want to give my gratitude to Coach Williams. He was an early pioneer to integrate college basketball. He personally recruited 10 athletes from Wheatley High … before major colleges would recruit black athletes.” https://www.rgvshof.net/danny-goodwin daily 0.75 2023-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/2569c173-58f8-4e87-9baa-4d7282ba6580/image018+%281%29.jpg Danny Goodwin - Danny Goodwin Hometown: McAllen, Texas High School: McAllen High (’85) College: Southern Methodist University Best known for: Swimming Goodwin won two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal at the state swimming meet for McAllen High in the 1980s. He qualified for the state meet four times and medaled each year for the Bulldogs. He later became an All-American swimmer at Southern Methodist University in 1986 and 1988. “One of the races I remember fondly was the finals of the 500 freestyle at the state high school meet my sophomore year. Breaking into the last turn with 50 yards to go, I was a couple seconds behind the leader, but I knew he was tiring. I put everything into the last lap and passed him a few yards out from the finish to win my first state high school championship.” He is the first swimming athlete to be inducted into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame. Two others inducted for swimming were coaches. “I'm honored to represent my sport,” he said. https://www.rgvshof.net/videos daily 0.75 2024-06-20 https://www.rgvshof.net/2025-class daily 0.75 2026-02-12 https://www.rgvshof.net/2025-class-1 daily 0.75 2026-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/8a6795d4-96ee-44f2-9882-89812b8113fb/%2316.jpg 2025 Class - David Longhofer Career City: Harlingen Best Known as: Football Player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/f121fc83-a1e9-4df5-a5dc-4b5e2aa58b17/01.JPEG 2025 Class - Richard Thompson Career City: Sharyland Best Known for: Sports Administration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/b7547361-d79b-4f20-be00-6f7fa9c1c85a/Guerrero%2C+Tony.jpg 2025 Class - Tony Guerrero Career City: Mission, Texas Best Known as: Official https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/5e3bca19-3b99-4ed9-b59c-367e0210a621/LarryCaldwell.jpg 2025 Class - Larry Caldwell Career City: Mission, Texas Best Known as: Athlete – Football https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/f6a10827-50e0-4168-80c1-6ac450b49fd5/AOHOF005B.jpg 2025 Class - Albert Ochoa Career City: Edinburg Best Known as: Golfer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/56438b00-abf3-478e-ada2-56416666c210/1649866075304-e17e038d-8139-4ba7-af06-598dc1adb1ac_.jpg 2025 Class - Joe Solis Career City: Edcouch-Elsa Best Known for: Football Coach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/6d4c2b6a-8005-420e-85b6-f386d3d79fa4/2022_HF_Coach+Valdez.jpg 2025 Class - Gabriel Valdez Career City: Weslaco Best Known as: Basketball Player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/75fec930-ec94-45ba-bec7-525e1f3901f7/5BCDEE6E-0C24-4211-949E-1AC364152CE9.jpeg 2025 Class - Laura Vasquez Career City: Edinburg Best Known as: Track Athlete https://www.rgvshof.net/2026-hof-inductees daily 1.0 2026-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c8443a37046804f6e41a43a/5b57e9c5-59ee-44ec-af38-c0800be2c8dc/8BDBC0B1-EC3A-41B3-A406-87B966233DE5.png 2026 HOF Inductees - HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026 ANNOUNCED 8 Individuals Slated for Induction This Summer in Mission