Three heroes of the McAllen ISD sports world were honored as they were enshrined into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony held June 17.
The group includes Coach Tony Trejo who is remembered for his work in track and field plus cross country, golfer Carlos Espinosa and swimmer Danny Goodwin.
Trejo coached in the RGV for 38 years. His teams won multiple district championships and regional titles at McAllen Memorial High. He passed away last year at age 67.
An expert golfer, Espinosa played for McAllen High (Class of 1980) and later for the University of Houston where he helped the Cougars win the national title in 1985. He played professionally around the world for 14 years and, since 1999, has served as the Director of Golf at Champion Lakes Golf Course in McAllen.
Goodwin won two gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the state swimming meet for McAllen High (Class of 1985). He qualified for the state meet four times and medaled each year for the Bulldogs. He later became an All-American swimmer at Southern Methodist University in 1986 and 1988.
Tony Trejo’s son, Jesse, is carrying on his father’s legacy as the Head Coach for boys cross country and Assistant Coach for boys track & field at McAllen Memorial High.
“What made him a great coach was his love for his athletes and his passion to see them succeed, not only in their sport but in life,” Jesse Trejo said. “My dad coached anyone who would listen to him. He made everyone better for having known him.”
Jesse still can recall his father’s excitement for his athletes.
“My favorite memory of my dad was watching him win the regional cross-country title in 1995,” he said. “Seeing his excitement and the genuine love his runners had for him made us see our dad in a different light. My siblings and I shared him with the world, and we never felt like he loved us any less. Dad being not only our hero, but the hero of many of those he coached and mentored is the best memory.”
One of several people who impacted Espinosa’s career was Steve Elkington who won 17 professional tournaments including a PGA Championship – one of golf’s four major tournaments.
“Steve took me under his wing during our senior year in college; he opened my eyes to the realities of competitive golf and at the same time served as my bridge to some of the best teachers, players and minds in the game of golf, including former Masters and PGA Champion Jackie Burke,” Espinosa said. “It was through Steve I was able to grow my relationship with Mr. Burke and shape many of the ideas I use every day to manage and grow the game at McAllen’s Champion Lakes Golf Course.”
Goodwin still has fond memories of competing in the pool.
“One of the races I remember fondly was the finals of the 500-yard freestyle at the state high school meet my sophomore year. Breaking into the last turn with 50 yards to go, I was a couple seconds behind the leader, but I knew he was tiring. I put everything into the last lap and passed him a few yards out from the finish to win my first state high school championship.”
That same year (1983), he became a High School All American Swimmer and competed at the Short Course Championships held in Indianapolis.
During his senior year of high school, he competed against college swimmers and was the fastest high schooler from Texas in the 1,000-yard freestyle, finishing 19th overall in the Senior National Short-Course Swimming Championships held at East Los Angeles College in 1985, according to The Monitor.
Goodwin joins longtime Memorial High Swim Coach Roxanne Balducci (inducted in 2004) in the RGV Sports Hall of Fame.
“I'm honored to represent my sport,” he said.
In addition, seven other coaches and athletes with RGV connections were inducted on June 17, bringing the Hall’s membership to 290.
Founded in 1985, the RGV Sports Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization whose mission it is to recognize men and women who have brought honor and recognition to the Rio Grande Valley through their participation in sports as an athlete, coach, official, trainer, journalist or other sports-related position.
PHOTOS
At top is Tony Trejo, middle is Carlos Espinosa and bottom is a file photo of Danny Goodwin.
Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame
https://www.rgvshof.net/