By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer
PORT ISABEL — Daniel Rinza wasn’t sure if he’d be able to have a signing ceremony like the one he’d envisioned due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Then, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Phase 2 of his plan to reopen the state allowed schools to hold graduation ceremonies, like the one now slated to take place June 4 at Tarpon Stadium.
And while the venue was slightly different than the gym at the school, with the help of Port Isabel principal Imelda Munivez and Point Isabel ISD superintendent Theresa Capistran, several of Rinza’s friends, family, teachers and coaches gathered in his front yard Thursday to watch him sign his intent to attend Central Methodist University.
Also notable was new Port Isabel athletic director Tony Villarreal III making his first public appearance since he was hired last Wednesday to begin his second stint with the Tarpons.
“We decided to do it today, and it was a great turnout,” Rinza said. “I appreciate everybody that came.”
CMU is a small private university in Fayette, Mo., located nearly halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo. The Eagles compete in the NAIA’s Heart of America Conference.
Rinza said he will major in kinesiology at CMU.
He first came onto the school’s radar when Amos Salas, a recruiter for the program, saw Rinza play a game at La Feria during his junior year. Salas said Rinza’s humility and poise will help him adjust to playing at the college level.
“He’s one of those types of athletes who has that vision on the court,” Salas said. “You really can’t teach that, a lot of that he developed on his own. He’ll be a smaller guard up there (at CMU), but he’s got the skills to play for one of our teams. … Sometimes he had the pressure of carrying the team (at Port Isabel), but (at CMU) he’ll be able to just play and be himself.”
Port Isabel coach Mike Hazelton believes Rinza is the first basketball player from the school to play at the college level since at least the 1990s.
“He’s setting a trend, he’s kind of a pioneer,” Hazelton said. “He was with me for three years. He’s a great kid, he’s a real humble, quiet kid. He’s worked real hard at it.”
Rinza’s close friend, District 32-4A rival and RGV Lakers teammate Jabez Villarreal of Rio Hondo attended the ceremony, along with Port Isabel’s Dennis Lozano and Cole Pinkerton. Villarreal signed with CMU on Wednesday.
“They have a family tradition out there,” Rinza said. “That’s what really took me in, as well. With Jabez going, and them recruiting me highly. It’s like a family out there, it’s a small town like Port Isabel. It’s going to be a challenge, going 17 hours away from home, but I think I’ll be comfortable. … It will be a smooth transition going out there to college.”
Rinza’s trainer lives nearby, he said, and so Rinza and Villarreal have been working out together when they can to prepare for the fall.
“We planned to have a great summer with our travel team,” Rinza said. “But unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, we aren’t able to do that. Hopefully everything opens up and we’ll be able to get some games in before we go off to college.”
Rinza said he will always cherish playing important roles on three successful Tarpons squads, including the team that made program history by becoming the first Port Isabel team to reach the third round of the playoffs during his sophomore year.
“That’s probably my favorite memory,” Rinza said. “I think just looking back at that, it’s a great feeling, knowing I was able to be a part of that team.”