Richard Avila
Inducted 2002
Hometown: Donna
High School: Donna High School
College: Pan American University
Best Known for: Athletics Administration
Another of the Avila men to make his mark in Valley sports, Avila was a member of the Donna state title football team of 1961 and also played for the school's regional champion basketball unit the same year. In 1962 he helped the Redskins make it to the state basketball tournament and went from there to Pan American University, where he competed in judo for four years and became an instructor in that martial art.
As a coach, Avila worked as defensive coordinator for Richard Flores at Edinburg High on seven playoff teams, before returning to his alma mater to lead Donna to two playoff trips.
Avila became Donna athletic director for four productive seasons and then made the leap to the same job up in Corpus Christi for six more.
He's been active at all levels in sports, including over 30 years as a leading South Texas basketball official.