BY Amanda Sotelo
Many students describe Joe Garza as an inspiration, a confidant and mentor earning him the recognition of TSTC Club Advisor of the Year for Texas State Technical College for the second year in a row.
The Intramurals Sports Club advisor was honored with his award during the Student Leadership Banquet hosted recently by the Student Government Association.
“While I’m honored to have received this award, this is a team win,” said Garza. The students do all the work and this is all about them.”
For Garza, TSTC’s Intramurals Supervisor, everything is about teamwork and working together, which has been his perspective throughout his career. Before coming to TSTC, he was a kinesiology teacher and football coach for 30 years for the Brownsville Independent School District.
“Coaching is my dream job,” said Garza. “I was lucky to do what I love and then find something after retirement that gives me the same satisfaction.”
After retiring from coaching and teaching, Garza said he was not looking for another job, but when he came across the assistant supervisor position at TSTC he decided to apply.
Garza has now been with TSTC for seven years. He was first assistant supervisor, then he was promoted to Intramurals Supervisor in 2011.
“We’re so glad he’s here at TSTC,” said Priscilla Hernandez, TSTC Intramural Sports Club secretary. “His positivity and continuous effort to guide us really touches everyone’s lives.”
It was Hernandez and her peers who nominated Garza for Advisor of the Year.
“His experience and lessons are invaluable to us,” said Hernandez. “Former students still come back to visit him and that says a lot about who he is as a person. He’s done so much for us, this is the least we could do.”
The Intramurals Sports Club also received TSTC Student Club of the Year and member Angel Gutierrez got TSTC Student of the Year.
“We’re always shooting for number one,” said Garza. “We have a fantastic club and successful students. They make my job so rewarding.”
For more information on the TSTC Wellness and Sports Center and the Intramurals Sports Club call 956-364-4340.
