Inducted 1999
Hometown: McAllen
High School: McAllen High School
Best Known for: Coaching-Football and Athletic Administrator
One of the outstanding Valley football players of the 1940s, Vela was a three-year letterman for Coach Chuck Moser at McAllen High School, earning All-District 14-2A and All-Valley honors in 1948 as a punishing center and linebacker his senior season.
Vela went on to play football and baseball with the Bronchos of Edinburg Regional College in 1949 and 1950. At ERC he was a home-run hitter and a stalwart for the offensive line in the last years of that program's existence, later transferring out to Alpine to play football for the Sul Ross State Lobos.
He spent 15 years as a successful coach at the junior high level for Rio Grande City before being named to replace legendary Rattler leader E.C. Lerma as head coach and athletic director in 1966. He led the Rattlers for four seasons, from 1965 to 1969, and spent many years in administration after that.