Eleuterio “Lou” Garza Jr.
Inducted: 1993
Hometown: Roma
Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball
Very few men made as big an impact for one school and city as Garza did.
Garza took over the basketball program at Roma High School when the team had no gym and usually practiced outside in the Valley sun. By the time he was finished with the Gladiators, Roma was on the map, statewide, having made it all the way to the state semifinals in 1972 and 1976.
During his career, he posted an amazing mark with 298 wins and only 67 losses, for a winning percentage of 81.6. The Gladiators rolled to a district record of 99-9 under the patient leader of men, bringing a source of pride to a long-disadvantaged area with such great stars as Jesus “Chuy” Guerra on the squad.
Later a superintendent for the district, he was elected to the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
