1963-64 Vaqueros inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

1963-64 Vaqueros state finalists, left to right, Lupe Ibarra, Carlos Treviño, Homero Rosas, Walter Reyna, Luis A. Barrera, Roel Pérez, and Manuel Esparza. Not pictured, Raúl de León, Rubén Escobar, Tomás F. Molina, Jesús O. Oliveira (deceased), and coaches Modesto García and Anthony Cubriel, both deceased.

(Photo by Lupita Barrera)

By Lupita Barrera, Guest Blogger

The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame/ Salón de la Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte inducted the 1963-64 San Diego, Texas, Vaqueros basketball team in Laredo on Saturday, January 20. Team members attending the ceremony were Luis A. Barrera, Manuel Esparza, Guadalupe Ibarra, Roel Pérez, Walter J. Reyna, Homero Rosas, and Carlos S. Treviño. Players who were unable to attend but also honored were Raúl de León, Rubén Escobar, Tomás F. Molina, Jesús O. Oliveira (deceased), and coaches Modesto García and Anthony Cubriel, both deceased. The ceremony was a long overdue formal celebration of the achievements and contributions of these young men and their coaches to their school, community, sports, and state.

The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame/ Salón de la Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte, organized in Laredo in 1974, is the only hall of fame in the nation that honors “the outstanding accomplishments, achievements, and contributions” of Hispanics. Organized initially to recognize Laredo’s athletic talents, it eventually grew to commemorate national and international athletes from the United States, México, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Central and South American countries, and the Caribbean Islands. The ceremony also included other inductees: Alberto Bracero, 1992 Puerto Rican Baseball Olympian; Elsa Hinojosa, UIL State Tennis Champion; 2008 Gateway Girls Big League Softball World Series Team; and Eduardo Garza Robles, Sportsman of the Year.

As a sister to one of the Vaquero players, I knew I would attend when I heard about the induction. I wanted to salute my brother, Luis A. Barrera, and the team. They had always been my heroes. I asked Idalia Dávila, a good friend, and a Vaquero cheerleader at that time, if she would accompany me. Idalia, the quintessential cheerleader, said, YES!

Growing up in San Diego, we had been raised in a bubble, protected from the outside world. We didn’t know we were poor. We dealt with what we had and made it work. We knew little about prejudice because most of us hadn’t experienced it. San Diego was primarily Hispanic; if you dug deep enough into our genealogical roots, many of us had familial ties. We were safe. In our hearts, though, we suspected the outside world was not equal, fair, and just as our parents had taught us. We knew something was wrong, and it was probably best not to venture out too far from home.

Then came the 1963-64 Vaqueros! Guided by their coaches, these boys took the risk. They came back as winners again and again. They inspired us.

The Vaqueros began their historic season by defeating Falfurrias twice. At the Hebbronville basketball tournament, the Vaqueros defeated Laredo St. Joseph but suffered their first loss against Corpus Christi Solomon Coles. Then they competed at the Beeville tournament, beating Odom, an undefeated Robstown squad, and New Braunfels. Their second loss came at the hands of Seguin in the championship game by a close score of 62-59. They went on to defeat Donna, Tuloso-Midway, and Sweeney.

Going into district play, they had an impressive 15-2 record. They were undefeated in district play, defeated Donna in bi-district, 60-51, and captured the regional tournament with a 76-57 win against Sweeney. They went to the state 2-A UIL State Tournament at the historic Gregory Gym on the University of Texas campus in Austin.

The Vaqueros lost in the state semifinals to Lancaster High School from Dallas County, whose starting line-up towered over the Vaqueros. But they beat Hardin Jefferson, claiming third place in the state and finishing their season with an impressive 30-3 record.

Lupe Ibarra (left) and Carlos Trevino with a

display of their teammates.

(Photo by Lupita Barrera.)

Through three years of playing championship-level basketball, the San Diego Vaqueros showed their God-given talents and trained hard with spirit and determination, which would make them champions. Their “brand” was knowing who they were as individuals and where they fit in the team. They believed in each other’s talent, power, and possibility. Little did they know they would impact the lives of their contemporaries and the lives of the generations that followed.

Luis Barrera delivered the acceptance speech on behalf of his teammates. Tomas Molina, who could not attend, wrote much of it. It was full of insightful stories that put Coach Garcia’s and Cubriel’s instruction at the center. The coaches had a set of principles they instilled in the players, including:

•        No opponent would be in better condition. The team ran all the time, running their opponents down.
•          Coach Cubriel often described their defensive strategy: “Pick them up when they get off the bus and stay with them until they go to the shower.”
•         They taught the players that they may be outscored but never beaten.
•         A one-point win is as good as a 50-point win.
•         Right-handers can go left, and left-handers can go right.

The Vaqueros were successful, several players said, because the coaching they received was at the top of their list. But there was something else that unanimously topped even that. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” as uttered by John C. Maxwell, leadership guru in his 2002 book of the same name. Maxwell’s maxim mirrors the 1963-64 Vaqueros and the formula that made them successful.  

Coach Cubriel started working with these boys in the 7^th grade. That’s when the chemistry started, when “the team started to mesh,” as Walter Reyna put it. In those early years, Barrera remembered that they learned to dribble, pivot, pass, and work as a team. “We stayed together since Junior High,” Carlos Treviño said. Homero Rosas and others called it a “brotherhood.” Lupe Ibarra expressed it this way, “We were like a family. We were always together. We were very close.” Roel Pérez said, “We were all good friends. We got along. We encouraged each other.”  Manuel Esparza added, “It was a team effort. We trusted in each other; we believed in each other; we had faith in each other.”

Even today, one senses the camaraderie, the solidarity. Trust, comfort, and a sense of belonging permeate the air around these men. It’s like putting on that favorite old sweatshirt that lovingly hugs your body. There’s no pretense. It’s just there, flaws and all. And they also make others feel a part of the team.

Unsurprisingly, every one of these gentlemen has led extraordinary lives, giving back to the community and raising beautiful families. They are well into their 70s now. But you wouldn’t know it by listening to their exuberant conversations and animated storytelling.

I think about our world and how sometimes everything seems topsy-turvy, confused, and disordered. I become disillusioned and feel my anxiety rising and my hands beginning to wring. Whenever I feel this way in the future, I’ll think about this weekend with the 1963-64 Vaqueros and their families. I’ll remember the goodness and solidarity I witnessed and rejoice that it is possible to come together as one for the common good. They were and remain my champions!

Go Vaqueros, or as Idalia fittingly cheered when the team received their plaque on stage: VV-VAQU-EE-EROS Vaqueros, Vaqueros, Vaqueros are the best!