RGV Sports Hall of Fame Program 2022

34TH ANNUAL INDUCTION CEREMONY

WELCOME

Master of Ceremonies

Carlos Robledo

RGVSHOF Board of Directors

INVOCATION

Norma Guerrero

PRESENTATION OF COLORS

Brownsville ISD Police Department Color Guard

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Pamela McCumber

WELCOME BY CITY OF BROWNSVILLE

Mayor Trey Mendez

WELCOME BY RGV SPORTS HALL OF FAME PRESIDENT

Manuel Hinojosa

RECOGNITION OF THE 1971 EDCOUCH ELSA BASEBALL TEAM STATE QUARTERFINALIST

PRESENTATION OF SCHOLARSHIPS

INDUCTION CEREMONY

David Longhofer • Albert Ochoa • Richard Thompson • Joe Solis • Laura Vasquez

Larry Caldwell • Gabe Valdez

Tony Guerrero

CLOSING

Carlos Robledo

preSIdent’S meSSaGe

Welcome to the 34th Annual Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The RGV Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing recognition to local talent who have brought exposure to the Rio Grande Valley throughout Texas and the nation.

We are privileged to honor eight individuals who have brought recognition to themselves, their families, and the entire Rio Grande Valley in the field of sports.

Many hours have been spent by our volunteer board members to ensure that these truly deserving individuals will be honored for their achievements. They now join a very elite group of more than 200 past inductees.

The class of 2022 offers a group of men and women who have excelled in sports and sport-related professions. It is always special when we can cherish the memories that they have brought us. This year’s group includes Larry Caldwell of Mission (baseball/ football), Tony Guerrero of Mission (football officiating), David Longhofer of Harlingen (football), Albert Ochoa of Edinburg (golf), Joe Solis of Edcouch Elsa (football), Richard Thompson of Mission (sports administrator), Gabriel Valdez of Weslaco (basketball), and Laura Vasquez of Edinburg (track and field).

The Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame is also giving out seventeen academic achievement awards to deserving high school graduates throughout the Rio Grande Valley. They are recognized for their leadership skills, academic achievements, and are current standouts in their respective high school sport.

On behalf of the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame, we thank you for your support. Enjoy the evening.

Manuel Hinojosa

Manuel Hinojosa, President

Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors

Special Thanks

Graphic Design: Kimberly Selber, Ph.D.

Inductee Banners: Manuel Hinojosa

Catering by: Aaron Balli Catering Services, Mission Flowers and Decorations: Liz Molina & Martha Torres

Inductee & Banquet Videos: Israel Alfaro, Izzy Productions

Studio Photography: Hector Leal, Valley Photo

Inductee Posters and Program Printing: UT Rio Grande Valley Print Shop

UTRGV CONGRATULATES

JOE, GABE, AND LAURA

ATHLETES, COACHES, AND ALUMS INDUCTION INTO THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY SPORTS HALL OF FAME*

Louie Alamia, 2010

LuAnn Alexander, 2013

Arnie Alvarez, 2007

Richard Avila, 2003

Tony Barbosa, 2005

Jack Bloomfield, 1993

Mike Brisky, 2012

Jim Brooks, 1990

Guadalupe “Lupe” Canul, 2002

Max Cavazos, 1991

Nancy K. Clark, 2014

Cody Colchado, 2016

Becky Dube Thomas, 2018

Kim Edquist, 2018

Thomas Esparza, Ph.D., 1991

Camilo Estevis, 1995

Richard R. Flores, 1992

Alonso “Knot” Garcia 2015

Juan de Dio Garcia 2015

Willie W. Garcia, 2010

Rolando Garza, 2020

Ruben Gonzales, 2017

Jesus “Chuy” Guerra, 2000

Oton “Tony” Guerrero, 1995

Donald Guillot, 2011

Manuel Hinojosa, 2017

Kathy Howell, 2010

Iris G. Iglesias, 2012

Lucious “Luke” Jackson, 1995

Jim Lancaster, 2017

Alex Leal, 1996

Felipe Leal Garcia, 2000

Jim McKone, 1994

Erasmo “Mo” Molina, 2010

Otto Moore, 2010

David Mosqueda, 1993

Al Ogletree, 1989

Mary Lee Rabke, Ph.D., 1997

John Anthony Raders, 2003

Jody Ramsey, 1999

Mario Reyna, 2020

Camilo “Bucky” Rodriguez, 2002

Joe A. Rodriguez, 1991

Pikey Rodriguez Jr., 2001

Hector Salinas, 2009

Lupe Salinas, 2003

Patsy Sanchez-Paredes, 2013

Greg Selber, Ph.D. 2020

Joe Solis, 2022

Guadalupe “Lupe” Soza, 1998

Rene Torres, 2007

Reggie Tredaway, 2009

Gabriel Valdez, 2022

Laura Vasquez, 2022

Carlos Vela, 2011

Pete Vela, 2012

Robert Vela, 2009

D. Joe Williams, 2003

Sam Williams, 1988

Raul Zamarripa, 2013

Our Mission

What does the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame do? People who have done great things in sports many years ago are what we are all about.

There’s a common thread among our board members – we love sports, and we love history. The greatest achievements go down in our history books.

We are the custodians of your Valley sports history. We want to recognize the very best with the fanfare they deserve. We also want to be part of the success of high school student-athletes. We award scholarships to student-athletes from all over the Valley. The financial awards assist the student-athletes with expenses for higher education or whatever future they plan. Since 2013, the RGVSHOF has co-sponsored the AllValley Sports Awards banquet with RGVSports. com to honor high school student-athletes, coaches and sports programs for their achievements during the school year.

Honoring new inductees each year at our ceremony is the highlight of the year with the Board of Directors. We on the board – as well as past inductees – remember what you have accomplished.

Counting the 2022 induction, there are now 280 men and women enshrined in 34 ceremonies, with an average of eight joining the group each summer. We also remember our 133 inductees who have passed away.

Preserving the history of the area’s games is our passion. We take it seriously, responsibly and with pride.

Selection ProceSS

People often ask how do candidates get selected for the RGV Sports Hall of Fame? The process is both fair and thorough to ensure that every candidate is properly vetted.

The task of selecting a group of deserving people for induction into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame is a very difficult one. There are more than 120 worthy men and women in our pool of candidates who have been nominated, and new nominations continue to be submitted each year.

● The nomination pool consists of former student-athletes, amateur athletes, coaches, game athletic administrators, athletic trainers, game officials, and sports media.

● Information received in each nomination is composed into a 150-word biography by professional journalists to give the Board and eventual voters equal information about each inductee.

● Nominees are grouped into like categories to make objective comparisons to determine the most worthy candidate. For example, football coaches are grouped together, baseball athletes are grouped together, sports officials are grouped together, and so on.

● The Board then has the difficult task to narrow that list to about 30 to create a ballot. Achievements by all nominees are compared in subgroups by activity as equally as possible to achieve fairness.

● Nominees from the previous year who received a significant number of votes but fell just short of induction are automatically placed on the ballot.

● The ballots are then sent by mail and email to past inductees, who vote for the nominees they feel are the most deserving of induction.

● The results of the votes from past inductees are then tabulated. The Board uses results of the votes of past inductees as a blueprint to determine the next class.

While the RGV Sports Hall of Fame may be heavy with football athletes and coaches during the early years, we recognize the contributions of nominees from all sports and those whose careers have been engulfed in Valley sports.

We strive to remain objective and fair to honor the most deserving people. We will continue to focus on uncovering outstanding achievements of men and women throughout Valley sports history.

Dine In. Curbide. Patio Seating: 402 TX-100, Port Isabel 402 TX-100, Port Isabel

larry caldwell

Hometown: Mission, Texas

High School: Mission High School College: Rice University

Sport Best Known For: Baseball & Football

An all-around talented athlete, Larry Caldwell earned 13 letters before graduating from Mission High in 1967. He found success in basketball and track but really stood out in football and baseball. As a junior, he played quarterback for the Eagles and switched to running back his senior year, when he finished second in the Valley in scoring. He was named All-Valley his junior and senior years and earned Second Team All-State as a senior.

In baseball, he was a talented outfielder with speed and defensive prowess. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 1967 major league baseball draft by the Houston Astros.

Caldwell’s upbringing was a big help. His father, Earl Caldwell, pitched 29 years in professional baseball and won more than 300 games (including minor league play in the Valley). He enjoyed stints with four different major league teams, even once striking out Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams. Caldwell’s father was inducted into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Caldwell focused on college instead of a pro career though, and accepted a football scholarship with Rice University. He played baseball for the Owls his freshman year but turned his attention strictly to football afterward.

He showed versatility on the gridiron, playing quarterback and running back for the Owls. As a senior, he switched to wide receiver, often playing the slot in passing formations. He even lined up at tight end despite weighing just 210 pounds.

Caldwell went into the construction business and now lives in Arizona.

tony Guerrero

Hometown: Mission, Texas

High School: Mission High School

College: The University of Texas at San Antonio Best Known For: Officiating Football

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 34year 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).

daVId lonGHofer†

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.

Congratulates Coach Joe Solis on the BIG WIN

Joe SolIS

Hometown: Sebastian, Texas High School: Lyford High School College: Pan American University Best Known For: Coaching 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 200312. 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.”

rIcHard tHompSon

Hometown: Mission, Texas High School: Mission High School College: Baylor University Best Known For: Athletic 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 studentathletes achieved success and did it in the right way – with honor, integrity and respect for their opponents.

albert ocHoa

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 AllAmerican 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 owns a construction company in the Rio Grande Valley.

rIo Grande Valley SportS Hall of fame

GabrIel Valdez

Hometown: Weslaco, Texas

High School: Weslaco High School College: The University of TexasPan 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.

laura VaSquez

Hometown: Edinburg, Texas

High School: Edinburg High School College: The University of TexasPan American

Best Known For: Track & Field

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 being part of the RGV Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022.”

THE LATEST FROM RGV SPORTS HISTORIAN DR. GREG SELBER

Hardwood Heroes chronicles the evolution of high school basketball in the Rio Grande Valley—Brownsville to Roma and every city in-between.

Starting in the Teens and taking us through the 2013-14 season, Selber’s exquisite storytelling style weaves a riveting and colorful history as only he can.

Published by the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, these 500+ page volumes include hundreds of photos of Valley athletes and coaches. This is their story.

Dr. Greg Selber is a prolific sports historian who has covered Valley Sports for over three decades. Winner of numerous journalism awards, including the prestigious Putt Powell Award for outstanding coverage of high school sports, and is a member of the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame.

Selber is a professor of journalism at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and covers RGV sports through his blog, SelberSports.com.

Also by Greg Selber

Making it to State RGV High School Athletes in the Books

UIL STATE CHAMPION TEAMS

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

1967 (unclassified) Brownsville High

1977 Class A Edinburg High

1985 Class 4A Brownsville Pace

1995 Class 3A Santa Rosa

2002 Class 3A Valley View

2014 Class 2A Valley View

FOOTBALL

1961 Class 2A Donna High Coach – Earl Scott

BOYS’ SOCCER

2004 Class 4A Brownsville Lopez champion Coach – Amadeo Escandon

2006 Class 5A Brownsville Porter champion Coach – Luis Zarate

2009 Class 4A Hidalgo champion Coach – Ezequiel Morales

2012 Class 5A Sharyland High champion Coach – Reveriano Hernandez

2015 Class 6A Brownsville Rivera champion Coach – Salvador Garcia

2016 Class 5A Brownsville Porter champion Coach – Jose Espitia

Final: Def. Quanah, 28-21

1962 Class 3A Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Orange, 20-13

Final: Lost to Dumas, 14-3

1963 Class 3A Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High state finalist

Semifinal: Def. LaMarque, 9-7

Final: Lost to Corsicana, 7-0

BASEBALL

1965 Class 4A Brownsville High state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Galena Park, 7-1

Final: Lost to Dallas Samuell, 14-0

1974 Class 4A Mercedes High state finalist

Semifinal: Def. West Orange, 3-2

Final: Lost to South Grand Prairie, 9-1

1986 Class 4A Mercedes High state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Austin Westlake, 2-1

Final: Lost to Brenham, 6-1

2007 Class 5A Harlingen South state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Midland Lee, 4-2

Final: Lost to Cypress-Fairbanks, 6-1

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

1967 (unclassified) Brownsville High state champion, Coach Hector Gonzalez

1977 Class A Edinburg High state champion

1985 Class 4A Brownsville Pace state champion, Coach Regino Corona

1995 Class 3A Santa Rosa state champion

1996 Class 3A Santa Rosa state champion

2002 Class 3A Valley View state champion

2014 Class 2A Valley View state champion

BOYS’ SOCCER

2004 Class 4A Brownsville Lopez state champion

Semifinal: Def. El Paso Del Valle, 3-2

Final: Def. Brenham, 2-1

2006 Class 5A Brownsville Porter state champion

Semifinal: Def. Fort Bend Clements, 2-1 (3-2 SO)

Final: Def. Coppell, 2-1 (OT)

2009 Class 4A Hidalgo state champion

Semifinal: Def. Brenham, 3-2

Final: Def. Mesquite Poteet, 2-0

2009 Class 5A Brownsville Lopez state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Klein Oak, 5-4

Final: Lost to Plano, 3-1

2012 Class 5A Sharyland High state champion

Semifinal: Mansfield, 3-1

Final: Def. Katy Morton Ranch, 3-2 (3-2 SO)

2013 Class 5A Brownsville Hanna state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Alief Elsik, 1-0

Final: Lost to Coppell, 3-2 (OT)

2014 Class 4A Valley View state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Houston Lee, 4-1

Final: Lost to Northwest Nelson, 2-1

2015 Class 6A Brownsville Rivera champion

Semifinal: Def. North Mesquite, 5-1

Final: Def. Katy Cinco Ranch, 2-0

2016 Class 4A Progreso state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Argyle, 3-2 (OT)

Final: Lost to Palestine, 1-0

2016 Class 5A Brownsville Porter champion

Semifinal: Def. El Paso Eastlake, 4-1

Final: Def. Frisco Wakeland, 3-2 (10-9 SO)

TEAM TENNIS

1991 Class 5A Harlingen High state finalist

Semifinal: Def. Klein, 10-7

Final: Lost to Abilene, 10-7

High School Scholars

antHony ambrIz

Hanna Early College High School

Rank: 236/632

Sports: Football, Basketball, Track & Field College: Texas Lutheran University

RGV Sports

Hall of Fame Scholarship

Itzel braVo

Sharyland Pioneer High School

Rank: 11/326

Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field College: The University of Texas at Austin Frank Smith Family Scholarship

VIancy duran

Lopez ECHS

Rank: 5/364

Sports: Swimming, Track & Field College: Texas A&M University

RGV Sports

Hall of Fame Scholarship

aSHley arlynn

PSJA Memorial ECHS

Rank: 40/452

Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field College: The University of Texas

Rio Grande Valley

RGV Sports

Hall of Fame Scholarship

rIo Grande Valley SportS Hall of fame

loren aVeryt

Veterans Memorial ECHS

Rank: 7/480

Sports: Track & Field College: Texas A&M University

RGV Sports

Hall of Fame Scholarship

nIcole delGado

San Isidro High School

Rank: 1/15

Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field College: The University of Texas

Rio Grande Valley

RGV Sports

Hall of Fame Scholarship

alySSa nIcHole GarcIa

Lyford High School

Rank: 1/113

Sports: Volleyball/Basketball College: Our Lady of the Lake

RGV Sports

Hall of Fame Scholarship

Gael GarcIa

Veterans Memorial ECHS

Rank:21/419

Sports: Swimming, Water Polo

U.S. Airforce

Kenneth White/Forrest Hood Foundation Scholarship—Mission

GarcIa

nIcolaS Herrera

Edcouch-Elsa ECHS

Rank: 3/296

Sports: Football, Wrestling, Power Lifting College: Texas A&M University

RGV Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship

Juan carloS

meJIa-cHeVaIlI

Veterans Memorial ECHS

Rank: 1/419

Sports: Swimming, Water Polo College: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Kenneth White/Forrest Hood Foundation Scholarship—Mission

JeremIaH carloS rIVera

Harlingen South High School

Rank: 104/481

Sports: Football, Basketball College: Texas State University

Herman Keillor, M.D. Memorial Scholarship

rIanna racHel treVIno

Hanna Early College High School

Rank: 2/600

Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field

College: The University of Texas at Austin

Ronnie Zamora Scholarship

cHarleS cHrIStIan kromer

Weslaco East High School

Rank: 23/376

Sports: Football, Basketball, Track & Field, Golf College: The University of Texas at San Antonio

Board of Directors Scholarship

bryan ray perez

Rio Grande City High School

Rank: 7/408

Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball College: Texas A&M University

Cesar Perez Starr County Scholarship

celIna lIzette Saenz

McAllen High School

Rank: 1/504

Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field College: The University of Texas at Austin

E.C. Lerma Memorial Scholarship

brock allan wIllIamS

Porter Early College High School

Rank: 1/463

Sports: Football, Basketball, Track & Field

College: The University of Texas at Austin

Joe A. Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship

dIeGo zunIGa

Sharyland High School

Rank: 27/361

Sports: Baseball College: Our Lady of the Lake University

Frank Smith Family Scholarship

Remembering 1971 EDCOUCH-ELSA BASESBALL TEAM

16-AAA District, Bi-District Champions & Quarterfinalist

The 1971 Edcouch-Elsa baseball team, under the leadership of head coach Javier Gutierrez and Leo Reyes, overcame incredible odds to bring home the bling. With only two players having any baseball experience, the Yellow Jackets ended their magical season as State

Quarterfinalist winning a District Championship and Bi-District Championship. Their playoff games were held at Pan American University, where more than two thousand fans attended their games.

THE 1971 EDCOUCH-ELSA BASEBALL TEAM CELEBRATING THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2011: 1st Row, from left: George Gonzalez, Joe Ruiz, Coach Javier Gutierrez, Arturo Flores, Victor Garate, Henry Silva, Herbert Garza, Baldo Silva, Joe Gonzalez. 2nd Row, from left: Coach Royce Schuelke, Peter Peacock, Richard Ruiz, Cesar Tamez, Mingo Ruiz, Israel Martinez, Fernando Cardoza.

INSET PHOTO OF THE 1971 TEAM: 1st Row from left: Jessie Bernal, Joe Gonzalez, Victor Garate†, Richard Leal, Ramiro Silva, Cesar Tamez, George Gonzalez 2nd Row from left: Coach Leo Reyes, Roy Aleman, Jorge Cantu, Joe Rodriguez†, Fernando Cardoza, Israel Martinez, Peter Peacock 3rd Row froml left: Head Coach Javier Gutierrez, Joe Ruiz†, Steve Stites, Uvaldo Silva, Arturo Flores, Domingo Ruiz, Henry Silva, Herbert Garza†, Richard Ruiz not pictured.

LA MAQUINA AMARILLA

Hall of fame InducteeS 2

1988

Alaniz, Leonardo “Najo”†

Davis, C.W. “Napper”†

Landry, Thomas Wade “Tom”†

Morrow, Bobby †

Williams, Charlie†

Williams, Sam†

1989

Beaudry, Charles Ph.D.†

Boyle, C.L. “Smokey”†

Cannon, Bobby†

Creasey, George†

Lawrence, Jimmy†

Lerma, Everardo Carlos

“E.C.”†

Lohr, Larry†

Ogletree, Alfred “Al” † (Richardson) Heald, Dessie†

Scott, Earl Jr. †

1990

Brooks, Jim†

Farris, Bill†

Lackey, Bobby†

Rodriguez, Camilo Sr.†

Stephens, Jerry†

Strohmeyer, George Jr.†

Strohmeyer, George Sr.†

Watkins, Mary Frances†

1991

Cavazos, Max†

Esparza, Thomas Ph.D.†

McMurtry, Paul J.†

Peña, Bernardo†

Ply, Bobby

Rodriguez, Joe A. †

Silver, Gene†

Uhlaender, Otto “Ted”†

1992

Davis, E. Gilmore “Gilly”†

Flores, R.C. “Fito”†

Flores, Richard R.

Gorges, Matt F.

Martin, Robert L. “Bob”†

Thomas, Anilda Ph.D.†

West, Thomas “Tom”†

Zavaletta, Gus†

1993

Bloomfield, Gordon Leigh “Jack”

Connor, M.F. “Red”†

Garcia, Rosendo “Roy” †

Garza, Eleuterio “Lou” Jr.

Mosqueda, David†

Robie, Glen R.†

Stewart, Ray†

Vest, George†

Wright, James “Jim” Jr.

1994

Evans, Norm

Hirst, Gerald “Jerry” †

Hudson, Jim†

Longhofer, Jesse

McKone, Jim†

Sauceda, Daria M. “Dora”†

Smith, Frank Jr.

Villarreal, Eliseo†

Zamora, Guadalupe “Chipper”

1995

Ayala, Ernesto Jr.

Cantu, Ramon O.†

Cleckler, Mary Jeanne†

Drew, Tom †

Estevis, Camilo

Guerrero, Oton J. “Tony” Sr. †

Jackson, Lucious “Luke”

Parker, Lloyd†

1996

Casso, Teresa

Etnire, Stanley Martin†

Garza, Leo Jr.†

Helms, J.W. “Jake”†

Helms, Jim

Leal, Alex

Pedraza, Luz Jr.

Reichert, Tommy†

1997

Juanita M. Cantu† Conover, Brooks W.†

Cortez, Robert

Flores, Adrian† Labar, Wayne†

Platt, Jimmy

Rabke, Mary Lee Ph.D.†

Stevenson, W.M. “Buster”†

1998

Tony Butler† Esquivel, Carlos†

Hernandez, Alfredo “Boxer”†

Levermann, Margaret†

Levine, Lewis “Lew”†

Nixon, Charles M.†

Pemelton, Billy Gene

Soza, Maria Guadalupe “Lupe”

Ward, Albert “Al” †

Thomas Landry Class of 1988

Leonardo “Najo” Alanis Class of 1988

RONNIE ZAMORA MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Hall of fame InducteeS 2

1999

(Butler) Kalencki, Jeanie

Crane, Everett L. “Corky”

Garcia, Gonzalo†

Martinez, Carmen G.

Ramsey, Jody†

Rivas, Homero M.D.

Sanchez, Joe R. Sr.†

Vela, Efraim

White, Howard A. “Andy”

2000

Avila, Celestino Z. M.D.†

Guerra, Jesus “Chuy”

Leal-Garcia, Felipe†

Lerma, John C.

Maldonado, Frank “Pancho”†

Rodriguez, B.R. “Poppy”

Vela, Ernesto V.†

(Woodson) Winston, Teresa†

2001

Clark, Margaret M.†

LaGrange, Charles

Levermann, Gerald “Dutch”†

Nyquist, Larry†

Owens, Carl B.

Rodriguez, Pablo A. Jr. “Pikey”

Salazar, Dolores A. “Lolita”†

Villarreal, Vic†

Weekley, Tom B. †

2002

Aranda, Olga

Avila, Richard

Canul, Guadalupe “Lupe”

Gerlicki, Joseph†

Hinojosa, Rene Manuel†

Martinez, Homer Sr.

Moxley, Paul S.

Rodriguez, Camilo “Bucky”

Shuford, John Albert “Lefty”†

2003

Avila, Alfredo

Capello, Robert Coleman, Bert†

Crafts, Willie†

Raders, John†

Salinas, Guadalupe “Lupe”

Villegas, Ramiro † Williams, D. Joe†

2004

Anzaldua, Amador “Mayo”†

Balducci, Roxanne

Capello, Juan Jose M.D.

Edwards, Fred

Gonzalez, Rogelio “Roy”†

Harbour, Todd

Hollingsworth, Hank†

Mims, John†

Vasquez, David Vaughan, Charles “Charlie”

2005

Barbosa, Tony Castillo, Juan Denson, Don Gonzalez, Paula

Hall, James C. “Red”†

Houghtaling, Jim†

Lugo, Alfredo†

Rodriguez, Hesiquio “Zeke”†

Wise, Steve

Zamarripa, Nora

2006

Barker-Davis, Edith Rochelle

Field, Jackie Sr.†

Garza, Gil

Garza, Leonel G.

Garza, Juan Manuel “Meme”

Garza, Rene G. McLish, Rachel Rodriguez, Amador†

Spoonemore, Carl†

2007

Alvarez, Arnoldo “Arnie”† (Longoria) Rodriguez, Sylvia Pompa, Eliseo Solis, Merced “Tito Santana” Torres, Rene (Villarreal) Johnson, Magda

2008

Corona, Regino “Reggie”

Filoteo, Joe Jr.

Keyes, Bert Jr. Moore, Tommy Vela, Robert† Young, Russell†

2009

Bazan, Pete Cox, Tommy†

Detmer, Sonny † Roberts, Tommy Salinas, Hector † Tredaway, Reggie Wright, Elbert “Lum”†

2010

(Abbenante) Howell, Kathy Alamia, Luis Jr. † Farias, Rey

Garcia, Wilfrido “Willie” Martin, Donny

Molina, Erasmo “Mo” Moore, Otto

2011

Brumley, Bob† Bush, Bruce

Garza, Sammy

Guillot, Donald R. Sanders, Travis

Vela, Carlos

Zamora, Ronnie †

Richard Flores

Class of 1992

Mary Frances Watkins

Class of 1990

PROUD TO BE TEXAS GROWN.

Honoring Jack Wallace Sr. Hall of Fame class of 2012

Hall of fame InducteeS 2

2012

Beene, Cathy A.

Brisky, Mike

Iglesias, Iris G.

Knetig, Edmund H. †

Schulgen, George L. Jr.

Vela, Pete

Wallace, Jack Sr.†

2013

(Allen) Alexander, LuAnn†

Ausmus, Don

Caldwell, Earl†

Green, Marshall “Buddy”†

Henson, Robert “Bob” Ph.D.

Jackson, Johnnie

Lopez, Carlos

(Sanchez) Paredes, Patsy

Zamarripa, Raul “Doc”

2014

Araguz, Leo

Clark, Nancy K.

Gomez, Jesse S.†

Hallbeck, Vernon†

Hinojosa, Heriberto “Herbie” †

Lambert, Gerald†

Olvera, Johnny

2015

Barker, Tommy

Garcia, Alonso “Knot”†

Garcia, Juan de Dios

Hees, Harold

Pena, Jaime

Ramirez, Aaron

Rodriguez, Lupe

(Siebert) Banks, Stacey

Valdez, Nati

2016

Cavazos, Manuel “Meme”†

Colchado, Cody

Detmer, Koy

Hess, Roy †

Marburger, Eddie

Ramirez, Reynaldo “Rey”

(Salinas) De la Cruz, Maggie

Woods, Becky

Wright, Bobby Jack

2017

Chavez, Tom

Gonzales, Ruben

Hernandez, Frank

Hinojosa, Manuel

Lancaster, Jim

Norris, Jim †

Sepulveda Dempsey, Sonia

Villarreal, Tony Jr. †

Woods, Harlan

2018

Alaniz, Steve

Danaher, Phil

(Dube) Thomas, Becky

Edquist, Kim

Ingram, Roland

(Lefner) White, Rose Marie

Mancha, Jose “Joe”†

Montalvo, Sam

Tripson, John†

Villarreal, Tony III

2019

Buck, Mike

Canales, Leticia

Morton, Jim†

Najera, Desi

Parker, Frank†

Perez, Cesar

(Silva) Malesich, Lisa Skinner, Sissy

Slayton, Doyle†

2020

Paul Alsbury

Paula Dodge

Rolando Garza

Larry Howell

Bill Littleton

Mario Reyna

Greg Selber, Ph.D.

2021

*No class due to COVID 19 Pandemic

2022

Larry Caldwell

Tony Guerrero

David Longhofer †

Albert Ochoa

Joe Solis

Richard Thompson

Gabe Valdez

Laura Vasquez

LuAnn

Alexander

Allen

Class of 2013

Jack Wallace Class of 2012

for tHoSe paSt InducteeS

we loSt between 2021-2022

1 In memorIam

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the last judge, will award to me on the last day, and not only to me but to all who have longed for his appearance.

Ronnie Zamora

1954-2022

2011 Inductee

RGV Sports Hall of Fame

Board Member

2002-2022

President,

2004-2006

2011-2013

Induction Ceremony MC

1997-2021

2 Timothy 4:7-8

1937-2021

1990 Inductee

1942-2022

1993 Inductee

RGVSHofF Board Member 1990-2005 President, 1994-1996

1939-2021

2003 Inductee

1930-2022

2001 Inductee

RGVSHofF Board Member 1989-2019 President, 1998-2000

2022 InductIon ceremony y 39

Roy Garcia

Bobby Lackey

Ramiro Villegas

Tom Weekley

Become a Sponsor!

Patron Member - $50 to $99

One ticket to the Annual RGVSHOF Induction Banquet. One RGVSHOF embroidered cap.

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Two tickets to the Annual RGVSHOF Induction Banquet. One RGVSHOF embroidered cap.

Printed Program Advertisement - $250

Full page advertisement in the printed program of the Annual Induction Banquet.

Banquet Table Sponsor - $300

Eight tickets (one reserved table) to the annual RGVSHOF Induction Banquet.

Program recognition at the banquet and company name on reserved table.

All-Valley Sponsor - $500 to $799

Eight tickets (one reserved table) to the annual RGVSHOF Induction Banquet. One RGVSHOF embroidered polo shirt and cap.

Program recognition at the banquet and company name on reserved table.

All-State Sponsor - $800 to $999

Includes business name on the RGV Sports Hall of Fame website for one calendar year

16 tickets (Two reserved tables) to the Annual RGVSHOF Induction Banquet.

Two RGVSHOF embroidered polo shirts and two caps.

Program recognition at the banquet and company name on reserved tables.

All-American Sponsor - $1,000 to $2,999

Includes business name and logo on the RGV Sports Hall of Fame website for one calendar year.

16 tickets (Two reserved tables) to the Annual RGVSHOF Induction Banquet.

Three RGVSHOF embroidered polo shirts and three caps.

Program recognition at the banquet and company name on reserved tables. Business name recognized as a co-sponsor of a scholarship.

MVP Sponsor - $3,000 and higher

Full page advertisement in the printed program of the Annual Induction Banquet. Includes business name and logo on the RGV Sports Hall of Fame website for two calendar years.

16 tickets (Two reserved tables) to the Annual RGVSHOF Induction Banquet.

Four RGVSHOF embroidered polo shirts and four caps.

Program recognition at the banquet and company name on reserved tables. Business name recognized as a co-sponsor of a scholarship.

2022 board of dIrectorS

E.C. Lerma † (1985-88)

Charlie Williams † (1988-91)

Joe A. Rodriguez † (1991-94)

Roy Garcia † (1994-96)

John Lerma (1996-98)

Tom Weekley † (1998-2000)

paSt preSIdentS

Carlos Vela (2000-02)

Rene G. Garza (2002-04)

Ronnie Zamora † (2004-06)

Tony Trejo (2006-08)

Charlie Vaughan (2008-11)

Ronnie Zamora † (2011-13)

Dan Ogletree (2013-15)

Erasmo “Mo” Molina (2015-2017)

Tony Guerrero (2017-2019)

Iris Iglesias (2019-2021)

Raul Zamaripa Harlingen

Ronnie Zamora Parliamentarian Brownsville

Tony Guerrero Treasurer Mission

Ciro Ochoa Mission

Lupe Soza McAllen

Tony Trejo Edinburg

Mark May McAllen

John Lerma McAllen

Cesar Perez Rio Grande City

Paula Gonzalez Brownsville

Rene G. Garza Mission

Debbie Esparza Harlingen

Chris Kromer Weslaco

Carlos Robledo Weslaco

Nora Zamarripa Secretary Harlingen

Manuel Hinojosa President Port Isabel

Mo Molina Harlingen

Gus Torres Harlingen

Tom Chavez Brownsville

Raul Vega McAllen

City of Palms Football Clinic and South Padre Island Basketball Clinic support the RGV Sports Hall of Fame

Clinic Directors

Richard Flores – 1992 Inductee

John Lerma – 2000 Inductee