Johnny Olvera
Inducted 2014
Hometown: Brownsville
High School: Brownsville High School
College: The University of Texas at Austin
Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball and Football
b. June 24, 1954
One of the most coveted schoolboy athletes in Brownsville history, Olvera became a two-sport standout for the Eagles who eventually played for a national champion baseball team at The University of Texas.
Olvera, nicknamed “Johnny O,” was a well-known Little League legend who would make All-District four times in high school in baseball and football. The back with blazing speed rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore on the great 1969 Brownsville High team that won the bi-district title over Corpus Christi Miller, 25-15. He ended his football days as an All-District defensive back. In baseball, he led the Eagles to two playoff trips as a pitcher-outfielder who led the district in hitting twice and was a tremendous defensive gem. His BHS batting average was .330.
Olvera earned a scholarship from Coach Cliff Gustafson at Texas. Olvera worked his way into the starting lineup as a senior for the ‘Horns and was among team leaders in stolen bases and runs scored in 1976. The Longhorns played in the NCAA Regionals and lost to Oklahoma in the region finals, barely missing out on the College World Series.