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Pep Talk
The Official Publication of Central Catholic High School • San Antonio, Texas Special Edition 2010
Coach Joe Cortez ‘50
to be inducted into the
San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame
Friday, February 12, 2010
Joe ‘50 & Terry Cortez at 2009 Central Catholic Homecoming Mass
“Basketball is a great opportunity to help the players
prepare themselves for life. The players are not just
playing basketball, but also rehearsing, developing
character traits that are so vital for success.”
— Coach Joe Cortez (1989)
Coach Joe Cortez ‘50
to be inducted into the
San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame
Considered a Basketball legend in San Antonio, Coach Joe Cortez ‘50 will be inducted into the San
Antonio Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, February 12, at the Alamodome.
“The announcement has taken me on a happy journey down memory lane,” he said. “But, this award
is as much for my players as for me.”
His journey began in 1944 when he became the first member of his family to attend Central Catholic
High School — a decision for which he credits Divine Providence. (He started in the seventh grade.)
“I’ve always felt that I have had a Hand guiding me all my life — call it Divine Providence or a
Guardian Angel,” he said.
Coach Cortez made a name for himself on the Basketball court at Central Catholic. One of the
yearbooks called him the most prolific scorer and tenacious defender in Central Catholic Basketball
history. He was named an All-City and All-State Basketball player before earning a four-year full
scholarship to play at the University of Texas at Austin. A few years later — also directed by the Hand of
God, he believes — he returned to Central Catholic as one of the first lay teachers on the staff to begin
what became a 36-year teaching and coaching career.
Coach Cortez believes that the development of a man — morally, academically, physically and
spiritually — can be developed and refined through athletics. Known as “Papa Joe,” his coaching style
involved enthusiasm, energy and passion for the game. He was also a strict disciplinarian, wanting
excellence on the court and off.
Many lessons that he learned from other teachers, coaches, and the Marianist Brothers and Priests
became teaching points to help his players prepare for success in life. He encouraged his students to:
• Display a postive attitude. (He learned this at a young age from his mother who displayed grace
while sacrificing greatly to send him to Central Catholic.)
• Make a commitment ... and never quit. (He learned this from the Marianist Brothers and Priests
who dedicated their lives to the Catholic church and to the school.)
• Stay loyal to your team. “Be a man your family, friends and community can trust.”
• Be ready for anything that comes into your life. “Along life’s journey, we face situations
similar to those in athletic competition. To meet life’s challenges, my advice is the same: Observe—
Adjust—Execute! Go for it!”
• Make a difference. “Be of service to others.”
• Be competitive. “Losing is not an option. Prepare, have faith, seize the opportunity!”
• Practice good sportsmanship. Play by the rules. Win with class. “You can win a state champion-
ship and still not be a champion.”
His basketball skills and experiences enabled Coach Cortez to travel as a member of the Harlem
Globetrotter’s opposition team, the Mexico Aztecas, on a tour of Europe and the Middle East during the
summer of 1965.
Coach credits his service as a Captain in the United States Army Reserves to the development of his
leadership skills, necessary assets in his teaching and coaching.
After retiring from Central Catholic, Coach Cortez continued to coach ... at Trinity University, at
Rolling Hills Academy, and most recently in the Mexican Professional Basketball League.
“I never get tired of coaching,” he smiles.
Coach Cortez ‘50
“Winning is not the
Career Highlights
only criteria. The goal is to
• One of the most prolific scorers and
tenacious defenders in Central Catholic
establish a personal Basketball history.
• All-City and All-State Basketball Player
sense of self-respect while at Central Catholic
and respect for others.” • Went on to play for the University of
Texas at Austin for three seasons.
— Coach Joe Cortez ‘50 • Coached at Peacock Military Academy
for four seasons.
(From 1988 Yearbook) • Returned to Central Catholic in 1959 as
one of the first lay teachers on staff.
Besides serving as Athletic Director, he
coached Basketball, Baseball, Football
Left: Joe Cortez in 1966 and Golf and he taught American
History, Physical Education and Health.
• Coached the Basketball Team for 36
years.
• Compiled an 791-404 record that
included 10 TCIL State titles, 23 District
Championships and three San Antonio
Express News City Titles (1965, 1966
and 1975)
• Enjoyed a 46-game winning streak from
1964 to 1966 in Basketball.
• Coached Button Baseball for 21
seasons, winning 14 District Titles and
three State Championships.
• Coached Football at Central Catholic in
1962 and led the team to a District
Championship.
• After leaving Central Catholic, he was
an Assistant Basketball Coach at Trinity
University for five seasons (1996-2001).
He coached professional teams in
1961 TCIL State Champs Mexico for three seasons and coached
the Mexican National Team in the
Central American Games in the
Dominican Republic in 2004.
• 823 career wins —the most victories of
any San Antonio high school Basketball
coach.
• For 20 years, he assisted in the
supervision of the San Antonio Spurs
Basketball Camp and conducted
basketball clinics in the United States,
Central America and South America.
• He was inducted into the Latin Ameri-
can International Sports Hall of Fame in
1983 and into the National Hispanic
Heritage Hall of Honor in 2006.
1971 Button Basketball Team 1975 Button Baseball Team
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
P A I D
Permit #430
San Antonio, Texas
78215
A Marianist College Preparatory Institution
Since 1852
1403 N. St. Mary’s St.
San Antonio, Texas 78215-1785
www.cchs-satx.org
“Joe Cortez IS Central Catholic Basketball!” — Thomas Oswald ‘90
Coach Joe Cortez ‘50 San Antonio Sports
Halftime Celebration Hall of Fame Tribute
Coach Joe Cortez ‘50 will be Class of 2010: Joe Cortez ‘50, Frank
honored during halftime of the Arnold, Bill Greehey, Vanessa Richey Said
Central Catholic vs. Holy Cross
Basketball game to be held at When: Friday, February 12, 2010
7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9,
2010, at the Bill Greehey Arena Where: Alamodome
(on the campus of St. Mary’s
University). Online Tickets: www.SanAntonioSports.org
For more information, call:
Myrna Reyes, (210) 820-2109
