Tom Chavez
Inducted 2017
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
High School: Valley High School, Albuquerque, N.M.
College: New Mexico Highlands University
Best Known for: Coaching – Football
b. August 18, 1946
Chavez played collegiate football at New Mexico Highlands University, which advanced to the NAIA Championship semifinals in 1966 and 1967. He stayed at NMHU as a graduate assistant coach and was recruited to coach at Brownsville High School in 1969.
He joined Coach Joe Rodriguez’ staff as the Defensive Coordinator for BHS from 1969-74, and then went into private business. He returned to the coaching ranks to open Rivera High School in 1988.
Rivera joined the varsity ranks in 1990, and Chavez started a successful 17-year run with the Raiders. Chavez teams won four district titles, and advanced to the regional semifinals in 1999. He coached at Hanna High for three years, taking the 2009 team to the playoffs. After a three-year stint as BISD Athletic Director, Chavez returned to Rivera, where he has coached again from 2012-2018. He took 10 teams to the playoffs, including in 2013 when the Raiders upset McAllen High.
