Barrera offers advice to Vaqueros on succeeding in life

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Luis Angel Barrera


(This is the first in a series of blogs on individual team members of the 1963-64 San Diego Vaqueros basketball team.)


After graduating from San Diego High School, Luis Angel Barrera enrolled at Southwest Texas State (Texas State University), earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. He then volunteered for the draft and served in the Army for two years. He was wounded during his tour in Vietnam and was evacuated via medivac to the U. S. for further medical treatment. Barrera was awarded a Purple Heart and a meritorious medal for service in a combat zone.


In 1971, Barrera settled in Houston, where he taught accounting, worked at a prominent bank, and then worked for the Mexican government as a representative in the United States. In 1984, he worked for the Mexican government's tourism department, which was under the auspices of the former president of Mexico, Lic. Miguel Aleman Valdes. Before President Aleman's death in September 1983, he requested that the family continue to employ Barrera as their representative based in the United States. Barrera presently works for the Aleman family's third generation.


Barrera married Lucille Villegas, from Pharr, in 1978, and they have two children and four grandchildren. He was born in 1946 to Arnoldo and Adelaida “Lalita” Barrera in San Diego. He has five siblings. "My parents get tremendous credit, especially for preparing us to face life's challenges," Barrera said. At his recent induction into the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame, he "received a dear compliment" from Mrs. Gloria Garcia, widow of his Coach Modesto Garcia. "Your parents did such a good job in raising you and your siblings," Mrs. Garcia told him and his sister Lupita.

“Everything around me, whether it be material things, health, loving family, I thank God for all the blessings given to me and my family,” Barrera said. He shares this advice with young people, especially those involved in sports: “First, focus on your personal skills; second, help teammates that are struggling and encourage those doing well to work on doing better; build close relationships with everyone; and have as your ojective to succeed with whatever tools you have to work with.”

(Photos by Lupita Barrera)





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