By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
The Rubalcaba family has become something of a Raymondville institution — Ralph, the oldest of Rafael and Alvina Rubalcaba’s five children, was such an imposing offensive tackle that his play earned him the nickname “Highway 77” for the Bearkats, which matched his jersey number. He also went on to play for Texas A&M University Kingsville, where he starred as the center for the Javelinas.
The older Rubalcaba children have all credited their upbringing to their diligent and dedicated parents, and athletic director Frank Cantu’s description of Ralph’s storied football career is just one example of the reverence the community has for one of its most significant athletic dynasties.
“I don’t hunt, I don’t fish,” Rafael said. “Our hobbies are raising our kids.”
Now Adrian Rubalcaba is taking his turn in the spotlight, headed to play Division I baseball at Prairie View A&M University, 50 miles northwest of Houston. On May 31 in athletic director Frank Cantu’s office, Rafael and Alvina proudly held up a photo of 10-year-old Adrian, throwing in front of the mound at Raymondville High School, donning an orange cap with the bleachers of the football stadium in the background.
“It was always a dream,” Adrian said. “I don’t know if I ever thought I would have been here. But it’s just the work ethic and dedication… It’s always been a dream, almost every little kid’s dream is to go Division I or go pro, to play at the highest level.”
His former coach at Raymondville, Judson Savage, said his development of Adrian coincided with the turnaround of the program.
“I knew what kind of talent he had,” Savage said. “We kind of went with a ground-up philosophy with him… Even in a bad stretch, you knew, he was the (go-to) guy.”
Adrian, a 2016 Raymondville graduate, benefitted from a connection with then-Port Isabel assistant coach Bart Bickerton, the current head coach at Sharyland High. After a relief appearance against the Tarpons during Adrian’s senior season, Bickerton then placed a call that led the left-hander to his first collegiate opportunity at Alvin Community College.
But Adrian struggled to find his groove in Alvin, and he was redshirted. Following the 2016-17 season, he got a fresh start with Laredo College. Much closer to home and more culturally similar – in part aided by having four other Rio Grande Valley athletes on the roster – the new situation was an ideal proving ground for Adrian.
Adrian’s parents said being in Laredo was a significant positive shift for him, and that he embraced the program’s culture. Living in dorm-style housing with six other teammates helped to form strong bonds off the field.
“We were together every day,” Adrian said. “We would go out to eat, go watch high school games together. We all had the same sense of humor and so it was easy to bond and create friendships.”
Laredo College was also the source of Adrian’s big break, when his catcher helped recommend Adrian – who had the benefit of being a hot commodity as a left-handed pitcher – for a spot at Prairie View.
In Prairie View, Adrian has found an outlet to elevate his athletic career and indulge his creative side, majoring in communications and video production.
“I like making highlight videos,” Adrian said. “I like the outcome (of the finished product) when I see it.”
Having seen his two oldest sons through college and Adrian in college along with his daughter, Rafael possesses extensive knowledge about the demands and rigors of a college student-athlete’s schedule: Early morning practices, classes, followed by team meetings and more practices and afternoon study sessions.
“It requires a big commitment,” Rafael said. “And for some kids, it’s no longer fun when that happens. I think it kind of grew on (Adrian) from his older brother, and now he’s bought into it.”