Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
The City of Edinburg honored one of college baseball’s most respected figures on November 3 with the official dedication of “Coach Al Ogletree Way,” celebrating the legacy of the late University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) baseball coach who led the program for nearly three decades.
The ceremony, held on the parking lot of the UTRGV baseball complex, gathered city officials, university leaders, alumni, and community members to pay tribute to Ogletree’s profound impact on athletics and education in the Rio Grande Valley.
Affectionately known as “Coach Al,” Ogletree served as head baseball coach from 1968 to 1997, compiling an impressive 1,084–618–1 (.637) record. Under his leadership, the program reached 13 NCAA Regionals and one College World Series. Including his earlier years coaching at Dallas and Sul Ross State, Ogletree achieved 1,208 career wins, placing him among the top 40 winningest coaches in NCAA history.
Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza called the dedication “a reminder to all who pass through this area what it means to give your best, to lead with integrity, and to leave a mark that endures long after the ball game.” everyone who made this possible.”
UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey praised Ogletree’s influence as both coach and community figure. “This honors a great a wonderful man who did great things for this community,” Bailey said. “His legacy is not just the teams and not just the wins—it’s the tradition he built that continues to this day.”
Reflecting on his memories of Ogletree, Bailey recalled being struck by the coach’s many connections in the sports world. “If you walked in and looked at the pictures in his den, you saw, wow, this man knows a lot of people,” he said, noting that Ogletree once played with NFL legend Yale Lary at Texas A&M. “We were blessed to have him here for the number of years he was here. Our way of honoring him is by continuing that tradition.”
UTRGV Head Baseball Coach Derek Matlock described Ogletree as “a winner” who inspired a culture of accountability, humility, and respect. “He loved, and he was loved and respected by his players, coaches that he competed against, and this community,” Matlock said. “He never blamed his players for losing. He always took full responsibility and wished he could have done something better to help the kids win.”
Matlock said Ogletree’s values remain part of the program. “The school’s name, mascot, and colors have changed, but the legacy of Coach Ogletree is engraved in this baseball program’s culture,” he said.
Former player Rick Villarreal, representing the Ogletree family and alumni, gave an emotional speech describing the coach as “a father figure to many of us.” He thanked city and university leaders for making the tribute possible and emphasized that Ogletree’s influence extended far beyond the diamond.
“Most people know about Coach Al’s incredible career,” Villarreal said, “but what made him truly special wasn’t what he accomplished—it was how he did it and who he did it with.” He recalled how Ogletree united players from across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico into a family. “He didn’t just coach baseball. He taught us how to be men.”
Villarreal said the street’s name reflects the coach’s values. “The Coach Al way was always done with dignity, respect, and love for the game and for his players,” he said.
The event culminated in a countdown led by the master of ceremonies and the UTRGV baseball team. As the crowd joined together— “Five, four, three, two, one!”—the cover was pulled back to reveal the new street sign. Cheers and applause filled the air as “Coach Al Ogletree Way” was unveiled, symbolizing the enduring legacy of a coach who shaped generations.
“Every student at UTRGV will see his name at one of the busiest intersections in the Rio Grande Valley,” Dr. Bailey said. “It’s a daily reminder of a legacy of excellence.”
