Thomas Esparza, Ph.D.†
Inducted 1991
Hometown: Edinburg
High School: Edinburg High School
College: Clayton University (Mo.)
Best Known for: Coaching – Baseball
One of the greats in Valley history, Esparza won more than 500 games in a multitude of sports and was instrumental in the RGV Sports Hall of Fame's founding in 1985.
The Edinburg High School grad played three sports in high school, and two in the U.S. Navy, later completing three college degrees, including a Ph.D. from Clayton University in Missouri. He had a long career as a coach and athletic innovator.
He was a coach for the champion 1953 Edinburg High School Bobcat football team, and worked extensively with Little League, Pony and Colt teams. His 1980 American Legion squad won the state title.
Esparza, who taught at Pan American University for 15 years, directed intramurals for the Edinburg school district, and is probably most remembered for his contributions in baseball in town.
Always focusing on teaching as a coach, he mentored dozens of future greats in the coaching arena.