Court unveiled for beloved MCISD coach

Roy Garcia’s family unveils the new artwork for the Coach Roy Garcia Court at the Mission High School Neuhaus Gym – Photo courtesy of Mission CISD

Rosendo “Roy” Garcia’s likeness will forever grace the hardwood at the Mission High School Neuhaus Gym. The district unveiled the new Coach Roy Garcia Court and a memorial plaque at a Nov. 14 ceremony.

The legendary coach called Mission CISD home for 28 years. He became the esteemed leader of the Mission Eagles basketball program and a respected athletic director. Because of his success, Garcia’s peers inducted him into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Honor and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. 

But friends and family have spent years trying to memorialize Garcia’s life’s work at the school where he developed his reputation for success. Finally, they had their achievements realized. 

“It’s kind of surreal it finally happened. I just wish he was here,” said Rosman Garcia, the coach’s youngest son. “But I’m glad everyone can know about my dad’s legacy now. It’s set on the floor, anybody can ask and we can always tell them about him. I hope these kids can understand what my dad did and that he set the groundwork for them.” 

The artwork featuring Roy Garcia’s likeness sits at two corners of the court. Along with a silhouette of his face, the design includes the coach’s signature, which his oldest son Roy Garcia II helped select. The plaque dedicated to his memory also provides a brief history of Coach Garcia and his accolades on and off the court. 

Plaque honoring Coach Roy Garcia – Photo courtesy of Mission CISD

Garcia II said he remembers the passion his father poured into the Neuhaus gym design and construction because he wanted the best facilities for the athletes. He just wishes the coach was present to witness the new court honoring his legacy. 

“He is the one that built this gym. He was here every single day, making sure everything was going right. He was just excited,” the oldest son said. “To anybody that would listen, he would bring them over here and be like, ‘Look, that’s going to be this, that’s going to be that.’ It was just his baby. And it’s actually one of the best, if not the best, high school gymnasiums in the Valley.” 

Along with the coach’s siblings, wife and children, former MHS athletes and coaches attended the Nov. 14 ceremony. Some even traveled from out of town and state to show their support for the late Roy Garcia. Daughter Rosette Keith said she was overjoyed and overwhelmed, but it was like seeing family again. 

“It’s just amazing to see all this love for him here,” she said. “To the community, thank you for loving him as much as we do.”