Harlingen’s Harold Hees left his mark in the back field as a fullback in the 50’s with both the Harlingen Cardinals and the Texas A&I (now Texas A&M University -Kingsville) Javelinas, power running his way to multiple All-District teams and an All-State honorable mention in high school.
In college he was on a national championship-winning team and was a Little All-American honorable mention.
Hees was inducted to the Texas A&I Javelina Hall of Fame in 1982 and now, his efforts will be recognized once again as he will be one of nine athletes inducted to the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night at the Port Isabel Events Center.
Hees, who now resides in Kingsville with wife JoAnn, was humbled by the opportunity.
“This is a great honor. I’m surprised that they even remembered me; it’s been a long time,” Hees said. “It’s always a nice gesture. When you get to my age, you really don’t expect things like this, but it will give me an opportunity to see some old friends, associates and some of the guys I played ball with. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Hees was among the Valley leaders in touchdowns scored during his time with the Cardinals where he was a three-year letterman from 1953-55, and a tri-captain his senior year.
Hees made Second Team All-District as a junior and then First Team All-District as a senior in 1955. He led District 8-AAA in scoring, and beat San Benito with a last-second touchdown run.
Making a name for himself at Harlingen was in Hees’ blood, apparently.
He was one of seven brothers to play football for Harlingen.
“I was the seventh son of a family of eight. I think there was at least one brother playing on the Varsity team since 1940” Hees said. “We all just loved the sport and we worked at it.”
After high school, Hees received no scholarship offers, but Paul “Bear” Bryant, who spoke at Hees’ senior banquet offered, offered a scholarship to anyone who wanted to play for him.
Following the banquet, the graduating Cardinal said he wanted to play for Bryant and received a scholarship to Texas A&M.
Hees spent two years there until Bryant moved to coach Alabama.
He then found himself under another legendary coach in Gil Steinke at Texas A&I from 1958 to 1960.
“I was fortunate to play under (Bryant) and Gil Steinke, who is a fantastic coach,” Hees said. “It was the perfect timing for everything. I love the game and I really enjoyed it; I had the opportunity to play with the right people.”
At Texas A&I, Hees lettered three years as a fullback in football. As a sophomore, he was one of the team’s leading scorers and rushers. As a junior, Hees made the All-Lone Star Conference team as the Javelinas won their first-ever LSC championship and then took their first NAIA national title. Hees was at his best in the clutch, with touchdowns in both playoff games. Hees made the All-Lone Star Conference team two years, along with All-America in 1960.
The honoree was named to the All-LSC team again in 1960, was All-Texas College and was on the Associated Press Little All-America honorable mention list.
Hees has been married for 56 years to wife JoAnn and had two sons and a daughter.
For Hees, the game of football will always be special to him, as he is an active fan and supporter of the TAMUK football program.
“I’ve always kept up with the game and I have always supported the university program here in Kingsville. I’ve stayed active by going to the games and was the president of the booster club,” Hees said. “We promoted the university for years and I still do because it’s something I enjoy doing with the association and all the good people; it’s wonderful.”