You might say Rolando Garza was always going to be a coach.
During the late 1970s, he was one of the top hoopsters in South Texas despite playing away from the limelight at tiny San Isidro High. It was during his senior year in 1978 when he was asked to provide some coaching help.
“My high school coach asked me if I could help assist with coaching the middle school teams,” Garza wrote in an email. “I was given the opportunity to play the role of coach for the junior high boys team during a day tournament while still in high school.”
That early experience ignited his passion. During a career spanning almost three decades, he won more than 600 games as San Isidro’s head basketball coach.
He is now set to be inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Mission Event Center.
The 33rd annual induction ceremony will enshrine seven inductees, bringing the hall’s membership to 272. Other inductees include former college and pro football player Paul Alsbury, sports journalist Greg Selber, former McAllen High volleyball coach Paula Dodge, former McAllen Memorial High football coach Bill Littleton, multi-sport official Mario Reyna and longtime track & field coach Larry Howell.
They are the class of 2020, but their enshrinement was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hall’s Board of Directors decided not to select a 2021 class so this class could get its own moment in the spotlight.
Tucked into the northeast corner of Starr County, San Isidro is a rural community (the town is named for the patron saint of farmers). For decades during the late fall and early spring semesters, the town has come alive when the Tigers tip off.
With a high school enrollment of approximately 75 students, San Isidro competes in Class 1A. However, they have a reputation as giant killers on the court.
Under Garza, the blue, gold and white brought home 12 boys district championship trophies, made 20 playoff appearances, won six area championships and appeared in the regional semifinals three times. He was selected District Coach of the Year 12 times.
As an athlete, Garza was named First Team All-District three times, and was also selected Second Team All-State in 1977. Texas Basketball Magazine listed him as one of the all-time scoring greats with 1,850 points.
He played at Laredo Junior College for two years and transferred to the University of Texas-Pan American, where he received his degree in 1989. Then it was off to coaching.
“Coaching was something I always wanted to do since I was a senior in high school in 1978,” Garza said. “Being an ex-student athlete from San Isidro and having my parents living nearby, when a job opening was offered, I jumped at the opportunity to go back home, coaching at my alma mater and the rest is history.”
He coached the Lady Tigers for two years before taking the reins as the boys’ coach. Overall, he won more than 70% of his games (607-256).
“I am humbled and honored for being inducted to the RGV Sports Hall of Fame for the 2020 class, more so coming from a small school district where great coaches are often overlooked,” he said. “Therefore, there are many people to thank for this honor. Mostly all students who played under my direction. If for not for these players, this induction would never have been a possibility. In the past 27 years, I saw many athletes who came out every day to give it their all. I thank them most of all.”
Founded in 1985, the RGV Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing recognition to people who have brought positive exposure to the Rio Grande Valley throughout the state or nation through their participation in sports as an athlete, coach, official, trainer, journalist or other sports-related position.
For more information, visit rgvshof.net.