(Longoria) Rodriguez, Sylvia
Inducted 2007
Hometown: Brownsville
High School: Brownsville High School
College: Texas Woman’s University
Best Known for: Coaching – Track
A champion athlete who became a top-notch coach, Longoria Rodriguez was a hit at every step along the way and trailblazer in women's sports.
Longoria ran for Brownsville High in the late 1960s, advancing to the regional meet in the triple jump before graduating in 1968. At Texas Woman's University in Denton she helped the school's unit capture the AIAW national championship in 1969 and 1971, as a four-time national winner in the 400-yard dash and member of the relay team. She co-captained the team in 1971 and 1972.
After earning a bachelor's degree from TWU, she returned to Brownsville in 1974 to start a high school coaching career that spanned 33 years, at Hanna (one season), Pace (nine seasons), Porter (11 seasons), and Lopez (12 seasons).
One of the leading racers in area history, she gave back to the sport as a teacher and coach in her hometown.