Sports is not the be-all, end-all of life

 

Manuel Esparza scored the lone touchdown against Cotulla in the 1963 opener. By the end of the season, Esparza
ranked as the number 10 rusher statewide from all divisions and earned all-state honors.

(Photos from Alice Echo News.)

Manuel Esparza, Jr, a starter for the 1964 state basketball team, was born May 5, 1946, to Margarita and Manuel Esparza, Sr., whom he shared with his sister, the late Ramona Esparza.  Like most teammates, Esparza attended St. Francis de Paula Catholic School, a vital part and foundation in his life. 

“My father passed in the fifth-grade year, and this really hurt,” Esparza recalled.  “I really missed my father and the encouragement he gave me in everything I was involved in.”  Fortunately, his mother, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, priests, teachers, coaches, and other adults guided, supported, and greatly influenced his life.  “They helped me stay focused and close to the church,” Esparza said.

He moved to public schools in the 7^th grade, where he found team sports, such as football and basketball.  When he reached high school, he played on the varsity football team in his first year.  In basketball, he played on the Junior varsity and suited up for the varsity games, getting playing time “once in a while.”  During his sophomore year, he started both ways in football and also did the punting and kicking.  He was also a starter on the district championship basketball team.  

“That sophomore year,  I remember the day of our playoff game with Freer for the district championship.  I was very sick with what I thought was the flu.  I couldn’t attend school, and Coach (Anthony) Cubriel came to my house with some medication for me.  I felt better by the time we got on the bus to go to Freer.  I played well that night as we beat Freer and was the second-leading scorer behind Duffy Ibanez.  But after the game, I felt worse than I had before.  Fortunately, I was in good shape when we played Devine in the bi-district game,” Esparza recalled.

Esparza was the number 10 high school rusher in 1963,
joining the likes of Linus Baer, Chris Gilbert, first
player in NCAA history to record three 1,000-yard
rushing seasons and ahead of Warren McVae
who came in twelfth. 

As a junior, Esparza was a two-way starter in football and basketball.  He made All-District in football and again started on the district championship basketball team.  During his senior year, he was a two-way starter in football and was selected to the All-District and 3^rd team All-State, which was impressive since the Vaqueros football team did not have a winning season. 

In basketball, Esparza received All-District and All-Tournament at regional.  He also ran the 100-yard dash and sprint relay team on track and participated in the high jump. 

“I believe our 1964 basketball team was blessed because we had eleven players that blended well together.  We had the chemistry, work ethic, and unselfishness that brought us success on the court,” Esparza said.   “On offense, we always had to be on the lookout when Lupe Ibarra had the ball; you never knew when the ball was coming your way.  I especially had to be on the lookout;  I didn’t want to get hit in the face and have my glasses broken.  Lupe probably has the record for the most assists.  All of us are and remain great friends off the basketball court.”

Sports were not his only achievements. “I thank God for giving me the ability to do well in academics and sports,” Esparza said. I was a National Honor Society member and the Student Council President in my senior year.”

Upon graduation, Esparza received a full football scholarship from Texas A & I University in Kingsville, where he was on the kicking team and played a bit at tight end during his first year.  Later, he transferred to Texas Lutheran University, where he started as a running back and also did the punting and kicking,” Esparza recalled.  “During my senior year, I set the record at TLU for the longest run from scrimmage, 88 yards, which stood for about 20 years.”

After graduation, Esparza joined his high school basketball and track coach, Modesto Garcia, at Robstown High School, where Esparza was the varsity backfield coach and assistant in basketball during his first year.  Coach Garcia became the head coach the following year, and Esparza was his line coach and defensive coordinator for two years.  When Coach Mo left, Esparza became the head football coach and Athletic Director at Robstown.

That year, Robstown moved up to 4A, the highest classification, Esparza recalled.  After two years as Robstown head coach and AD, he moved to Alice as the varsity backfield coach for two years and later coached in San Diego for one year. After eight years of coaching, he began a career as a life insurance and financial advisor, which he has been doing for over 46 years.

“I thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us; first, my Catholic faith; second, my family; and third, my career, my clients, and my friends.  He serves as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, a reader, and serves on the Finance Committee at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Alice.  He has also served as President of the Parish Council and other parish and Catholic School committees.

In addition to his church, Esparza has served on the Jim Wells County Master Planners Association and as President of the Alice Kiwanis Club.  He was on the TLU Alumni Board for six years, serving as President for two years.  He also served three years on the Texas Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors Board of Directors.

Of course, his most important occupation is his close-knit family.  He has been married to his wife Irma for 55 years, and they have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren.  “We enjoy our time together and support and encourage each other,” Esparza said.

“We learn important things in sports:  teamwork, hard work, and perseverance.  But I believe we place too much emphasis on sports at times, giving athletes and other famous people too much importance.  We don’t know everything and are never too old to learn.  I also feel that we need to increase our spiritual intelligence and thank God for what he has blessed us with,” Esparza advised.

Manuel Esparza, flanked by blockers Erasmo Estringel and Israel Benavides.