PHARR — The shining moment of a lifetime arrived Saturday for nine new inductees at the 30th annual Rio Grande Valley Hall of Fame banquet.
The nine honorees comprised the Class of 2017 and each was recognized for the individual contributions he or she made to sports in the Valley. They joined the likes of Tom Landry, Leo “Najo” Alaniz, Bobby Morrow and the many others who have been inducted over the years since the RGV Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1985.
Approximately 450-plus attendees were on hand to witness Saturday’s historic night at Pharr’s Boggus Ford Events Center.
The new enshrinees included Tom Chavez (Brownsville football), Tony Villarreal Jr. (Brownsville football), Manuel Hinojosa (Port Isabel sports artist/sports historian), Jim Lancaster (Edinburg sports medicine), Sonia Sepulveda Dempsey (Edinburg track), Harlan Woods (Mission journalism), Frank Hernandez (Mission football), Ruben Gonzales (McAllen track) and Jim Norris (Mercedes football).
It was an event to remember and a long time in coming for Villarreal.
“The reality is I’m 84 and I’ve waited and waited for this day a long time,” said Villarreal, who received an All-American high school award in football as a speedy, shifty junior halfback who rushed for 1,010 yards on 99 carries and a Valley-best 17 touchdowns for the Brownsville High Golden Eagles in 1951. “They called me (about being inducted) and I was very happy.
The Lord has blessed me greatly,” added Villarreal, the father of longtime Valley football coach Tony Villarreal III. “He gave me the ability to play and has blessed me my whole life. At 84, I can see the end of the horizon, and I’m a very happy man.”
Chavez began coaching football in Brownsville in 1969 and became the head coach for the Rivera Raiders in 1988. Besides guiding Rivera to five district championships, he also coached Hanna to the district title in 2009. Chavez said he has many people to thank throughout his time as a coach. He has also served as Brownsville ISD athletic director.
“It’s a good day,” Chavez said. “There are a lot of reasons why I’m here. We’ve had a good run at Rivera and there are many athletes and (assistant) coaches (to thank for it). That’s why I’m here (being inducted).
“I think this event is nice,” Chavez added. “I’m happy to be here for Rivera High School and Brownsville. I’m still coaching and it’s hard to realize how time has gone by (so quickly). It’s all good.”
Hinojosa is a sports portrait artist/architect/sports memorabilia collector who is part owner of Doubleday Bar of Champions in Port Isabel. It is the site of the Valley’s most extensive array of sports memorabilia, mostly from pro athletes.
There’s no doubt about it, this is a great honor,” said Hinojosa, a 1968 Mission High graduate. “I’m a little nervous about it. I never thought something like this would happen to me. I’ve been at many banquets and I’ve seen so many people honored. I never thought this opportunity would happen for me.”
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