约翰(J.G.) Garcia Gonzales Jr., head coach of 圣澳门金沙赌城线上游戏 Track and Field and Cross Country from the mid-90s to early 2000s, 死于五月十八日, 2024. 他享年75岁.
Gonzales spent 45 years of his life teaching and coaching in the Catholic school and university settings in 圣安东尼奥, 主要在圣. Anthony Catholic High School, Ursuline Academy, and 圣澳门金沙赌城线上游戏. He coached over 200 individual state champions in track and field and cross country, nine team high school state titles, four university conference championships, and was Coach of the Year five times. He is also remembered for his contributions to the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), where he served as national multi-event chair for many years, as well as for his involvement in the Junior & Senior Olympics as a coach and official.
A true pioneer as one of 澳门金沙线上赌博官网’s first cross country and track coaches, Gonzales helped establish the program in the mid-90s. He coached the first cross country individual SCAC Champion at 澳门金沙线上赌博官网 in 1996 and also took the teams to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in 1995. Gonzales also coached 澳门金沙线上赌博官网’s first NCAA qualifiers for both men’s and women’s cross country.
特丽丝·蒂勒, director of 校友 Career Engagement & 网络 校友关系, was one of Gonzales’ stellar track student-athletes. Under Gonzales’ guidance, Tiller won several conference titles, broke school records, and competed at NCAA nationals. Tiller fondly reflects on his experience with Coach J.G.:
“When I think about my four years at 澳门金沙线上赌博官网 as a student, running for the University was at the core of my experience. And that was made possible by Coach J.G. He not only gave me the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level, his passion for the sport and belief in my abilities also instilled a confidence that enabled me to discover my sense of self in an environment that was often challenging. I simply wouldn't have the career experiences nor the life I've lived without having J.G. 作为我的教练.
“And that wasn't specific to me, which is what I appreciated so much about him. J.G. was devoted to helping others be their best selves and encouraging people to realize the potential that sometimes he was the only one who could see. He dreamed big, and that attitude was infectious. His joy for life created the space for people to have fun in the process of overcoming challenges and adversity. I continue to be amazed by all the stories of how such a humble coach and loving family man greatly impacted the lives of so many at 澳门金沙线上赌博官网 and in the 圣安东尼奥 community. His contributions will be forever remembered by those he inspired. Thank you, Coach, for everything,” Tiller says.
Gonzales was preceded in death by his parents and two younger siblings. He is survived by his wife, 特蕾莎, his four other siblings, 他的六个孩子, 以及他们的配偶,包括 Jenny Gonzales Brady '06 (daughter) and her husband, Matthew Thomas Brady '06, Timothy Gonzales Masters of Accounting '01, and his nine grandchildren.
To read Gonzales’ full obituary, visit DiginityMemorial.com.
This article was created with contributions from 澳门金沙线上赌博官网’s Track and Field and Cross Country’s Instagram announcement of Gonzales’ passing.
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