By RGV Fútbol/Staff

Related Links: RGVSCO All-Star Game

WESLACO, 4 May. - The Rio Grande Valley’s soccer community shined like the stars on Wednesday night during the Red Carpet Soccer Event at the Weslaco Independent School District’s Performing Arts Center.

The exclusive soccer event was presented by the Weslaco ISD in conjunction with RGVFutbol.com, and the Rio Grande Valley Soccer Coaches Organization (RGVSCO).

"This event is very important for soccer, and it deserves more support," said Weslaco ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Rubén Alejandro. "We’re very happy to host the event, and that we can help support the community, especially the kids."

Guests arrived one by one, in pairs, in families, and entire teams to the gala event that united some of Valley soccer’s pioneers with today’s up-and-coming young talent.

The exclusive Red Carpet Soccer Event screened the first soccer documentary produced about the history of Valley soccer, awarded players and coaches for the past season’s achievements, recognized the boys state champion and girls regional finalists from Sharyland, the UTB soccer programs, and honored former players of the University of Texas-Pan American from the 1970s to 90s.

"I’m very proud of my girls, they did a great job at the Regional Tournament," said Sharyland girls head coach J.J. López. “Girls soccer in the Valley is getting better and it won’t be too long before we make it to the next level."

The auditorium exploded in shouts and applause during the presentation of the Valley’s newest Class 5A state champion Sharyland Rattlers as they were called upon to be recognized.

"These players are my brothers, and we won the state championship together," said Sharyland midfielder and State Tournament MVP Jesús Olivares. "We all contributed to our success and the championship, we’re a family."

The Valley soccer documentary entitled, “The Beautiful Game,” was conceived by video journalist Rafael Cavazos and produced by the WISD’s TV station KWES, managed by Steven Valdez.

"It was something that was needed for Valley soccer, and was long overdue," Cavazos explained. “The coaches and players work real hard and they deserve to be recognized for the results that they have given, and keep giving. And even before I finished the video, it’s already obsolete because now there’s not three state titles in the Valley anymore, there’s four."

After the conclusión of the documentary screening, part of the history that was seen on the stage-wide silver screen came to life when more than 20 former soccer players from the UTPA soccer program from the 1970s to 90s was recognized by the organizers of the event. The recognition marked the first time that former Pan Am players of different eras were brought together and honored for their success, achievements, and contributions to Valley soccer.

"It’s been a long time since a lot of us have seen each other, and it was about time that an event like this was organized," said former UTPA goalkeeper during 1987-1991 seasons and current Katy ISD soccer coach Fredy Sanguinetti.

"I owe a lot to my experience at Pan Am, and I learned a lot," said former UTPA leading goal scorer and current La Joya Palmview head coach Mario Ribera. "We had a good time back then, but the trophies stay in the closet collecting dust. The most important thing I got from Pan Am was my education. That education opened the doors to a better quality of life for me."

The event concluded with an awards ceremony for coaches presented by the RGVSCO. Special recognitions were given to former Donna head coach Trey Zamora and to long-time Valley high school coaches Juan de Dios García of Brownsville Hanna, José Gaspar of Edinburg North, and La Grulla’s Mike Rice, who will retire at the end of the 2012 academic year. García and Gaspar were also former UTPA players.