As a teacher, coach, player, there are a few things I'd like to point out about what I saw in some of these comments.
I want to start by saying this, there are A LOT of capable athletes in the valley. I was an example, and a lot of my HS friends were too. But this isn't really about me, but rather what advice I can offer; this is about what trends I've seen as a coach and teacher, and what it takes to be an athlete at the University level and beyond. To describe what I'm talking about I have to talk about my history a bit.
I wasn't a 5-star athlete recruit, hell I wasn't a 3-star athlete recruit. I'm not even sure I was a 1 star to be honest. No one had eyes on me. I wasn't going to play at the next level, but I did. I loved football in ways a lot of people don't understand. I loved football as the outlet it became for me, and others who play the sport and make a career out of it. Some out of ambition, some to get out of the struggle. For me, it was a way to learn to finish what I start, it is quite possible to say that without the sport of football, I may have never gone to college, maybe not graduated. It was my motor, to strive to accomplish what many could not.
I was always pretty smart in the classroom and my dad always wanted to make sure I would go to college and get my degree, he would say, "it was the way."
I had the grades, but no scholarships, no visits to schools, top 10% in my class, I was accepted to all my universities of choice. I thought that if I would go to a D2/D3 school I would have a chance to be on the scout team at least. "Things happen for a reason." Everything in my life has led me to where I am today. My compadre today, friend at the time, said he'd be going to The University of Texas, and for whatever reason, I chose The University of Texas to go get my degree, mind you, I had every single intention of finding my way to the football program, to any school at the time. That was my key, my ambition, my motor, that was my drive. I just had to be a part. I'm just probably super lucky/proud to have made The University of Texas, my school of choice. Best decision I ever made.
I think coach madden could tell you about my motor, again, I wasn't a 5-star player, but I think most people could tell you I had the same "heart" Rudy from the movie Rudy, (real life person by the way) had. I did what I had to get on the team. Long story short, I was a defensive lineman for The University of Texas.
Why do I bring all this up? Because when I was in HS at La Joya, around the general area of La Joya, McAllen, Edinburg, Donna, Weslaco, etc., there were a few athletes that til this day, I say could have made it to D1 schools, and maybe further. One in particular whom I thought/think was honestly better than some of the athletes I'd seen as hs/college players, but where was the reason they didn't play?
In my opinion, few reasons listed below:
1. Grades. If we want our kids in the valley to get to the next level and participate in collegiate sports, we as teachers, parents, coaches, anyone that has the influence to get these athletes to that next level, but in particularly parents, must talk to our kids about their participation/performance in the classroom. It starts in the classroom. And too many HS Athletes think they are entitled to not have to perform in the classroom because they are athletes. They must do better in the classroom. If they don't have the grades, or aren't passing, how are they going to play Friday nights? How are they going to get noticed if they aren't performing then? And it’s not a matter of coaches going to hunt down teachers asking for "what else can the athlete do to pass", it's about the "student-athlete" (emphasis on student) to do their part. It used to be, not so much today, that the student-athlete was a role model, for others. The ones everyone looked up to. Can we get back to that?
Hey look listen, do you think college coaches want someone they can't trust in the classroom to do what is necessary? Can I as a coach trust this athlete to perform on the field if he/she can't even pass the class? What does that mean, he/she doesn't have the critical thinking skills to perform? No, okay fine, no further looks. Coach Brown once repeated after a practice what an NFL Scout asked him in the film room before beginning to watch film, “what is his performance like with his classes?” I’ll never forget that.
2. Parents this one is for you. You must get your kids involved early. HS is not early. If I had started earlier than HS, I maybe would have been a 3-star recruit. There is so much competition out there. Now I'm not saying force them to play sports in kinder, but if you child takes an interest in the sport, invest. I know, I know, what if they end up not playing at the college level, or even the HS level. It sucks, but what I can tell you with certainty is this, they need to have developed certain skills by the HS level if they are ever going to want a chance to play at the next level. Invest in your child in that manner.
3. Athletes this one is for you. Do not be afraid of leaving home. Oh man, I had a couple of acquaintances be offered full scholarships, to find out that after 4-6 months the athlete gave it up to come back home and be close to home. That is huge, and a cultural thing I've noticed around the area here in the valley. If you are given the opportunity, don't waste it. I heard a few coaches say they stopped recruiting in the general area of the RGV because of the lack of commitment to the scholarship, because students would choose to come home. Do not be afraid of the unknown. Embrace it. Embrace the opportunity given to you. Embrace the sacrifice.
4. Previous point brings me to this point. God, I wish, UTPA would have had football! FINALLY! So many new doors and opportunities are about be open to so many young men in the area! Do not waste this opportunity. Scholarship opportunities, next level recruitment, do you have what it takes to be there? Earn it! Don't squander it.
I offer my 2 cents for those who aspire to perform at the next level. And to the ones who joke about the program, with "the replacement" memes, lol they are funny, I get it, "somos el 956", that’s our culture, "somos burlistas", but keep in mind, this is real. A real opportunity for our community. Encourage your youth! We may very well have the NEXT BIG THING in our community, wouldn't you be so proud to say, "That guy, or girl, was MADE IN THE 956"?
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