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Alvarado taking over Memorial baseball program

Escalona to focus on assistant A.D. duties

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  • Wes Bloomquist •
  • Originally published January 14, 2009 at 10:47 p.m., updated January 14, 2009 at 10:47 p.m.

Manuel Alvarado won a state baseball championship as a player at Stroman and has been an assistant coach since 1997.

Now, he's getting his chance to be the head coach at Memorial.

"This is something that I've always wanted to do," said Alvarado, who takes over the Vipers' baseball program from Ralph Escalona. "I've been around baseball all of my life and have had the opportunity to be around some great coaches. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to be a head coach and I'm ready to make the most of it."

Escalona, who played on Stroman's 1985 state championship team with Alvarado, stepped down as the Memorial head baseball coach to focus on his duties as assistant athletic director for the Victoria school district.

"I'm looking forward to the administration job full time," said Escalona who leaves his position with a 134-119-2 overall record in eight seasons as a head coach, five at Memorial and three at Stroman. "I think baseball deserves someone who does the job with all of their attention going to the sport. Manuel deserves this opportunity and is well prepared for it."

Alvarado, whose brother Santos is the head coach at Calhoun, played college baseball at Sul Ross University and earned all-conference honors in the four years he spent at the Alpine school. He has 12 years of coaching experience with the Victoria school district.

Memorial finished last season with a 15-18-1 record. The Vipers finished tied for third in District 27-5A and were swept by San Antonio Stevens in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

"We have a good group of kids coming back so I don't know why we shouldn't keep winning," Alvarado said. "The program has been successful and I think this year will be no different. The kids know who I am and how I coach. We are going to be aggressive on the bases and play good hard-nosed baseball."

Gabe Rojas remains as a varsity assistant coach for the Vipers.

Memorial, which starts practice on Jan. 30, returns District 27-5A's newcomer of the year Jordan Pacheco, and second-team all-district selections Roman Madrid and Zach Pacheco. Madrid has already signed to play college baseball at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, while Jordan Pacheco is back as a sophomore with a full year of pitching experience.

"I think the program is in good shape with a lot of young guys who can play baseball," Escalona said. "I think they are going to do well this season."



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Comments

  • Oilman Oilman Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    This all sounds like another case of Finleyism to me. You know how it goes...I will do what I want and ya'll will just have to like it!

    January 16, 2009 at 4:37 a.m.
  • CTrain7 CTrain7 Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Scout.......are you kidding me? This is the same district that conducts the world famous 50 cent Criminal History check and hires a known felon as the Principal of their High School. C'mon bud, there are plenty of stories over the last 10-15 years with VISD and their flawed hiring process.  Brother, they fly by the seat of their pants. How do you guys still work in this district?  It's embarrassing. There are plenty of other places to coach and teach, and I promise you that they don't make these same blunders over, and over, and over. No wonder the district is in the shape it's in.

    January 15, 2009 at 10:25 p.m.
  • scout scout Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    what the heck is going on!!!? tstorm, i was misled. I thought it was posted and all the proper policies were followed PRIOIR to the announcement.

    We have incompetent leaders in admin it seems. There is no central hr office it seems. The hiring process should be handled by the hr depart. Why not just hire select coaches since nobody seems to check creditials. There are employment rules.

    My buds (male and female) in the system have dual contracts. You coach and teach. If you resign 1 role you resign both roles. period. Now why is Escolona exempt from this when my buddies are held to this?!? Not fair.

    Another question -Doesnt the AD cover duties when Escolana is in his baseball season? R.E. covers the duties when Finley is in his season.

    total embarrassment.

    January 15, 2009 at 10:12 p.m.
  • KOBA KOBA Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Yes, tstorm I agree it is “supposed” to go like that. I believe the problem lies in a point I tried to make in an earlier post. Mr. Finley answers to the Superintendent only. He believes he is entitled to make any decision he wants, because quite frankly, who is going to challenge him? This is just another example of an innocent person, (Coach Alvarado) being caught up in his arrogance. Again, my opinion, but I strongly suspect Mr. Chapa was circumvented in this instance. Classic case of “putting the cart before the horse” by Mr. Finley.

    As for your final point, the assistant AD is going to wake up some day and realize that giving up his integrity for job security robbed him of his dignity. I think I would rather be unemployed.

    January 15, 2009 at 10:11 p.m.
  • KOBA KOBA Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Unfortunately tstorm is correct in that the position must be opened up for applications. This was a big mistake, however the blame should lie with the AD. I think Mr. Chapa was being gracious in saying it was a matter of a miscommunication. If Mr. Finley really thought the job had been posted, shouldn’t he have been a little surprised that no one had applied for the job. After all, he would have been involved with the interviews.

    Coach Alvarado is a fine coach and a good man. He deserves this job. It will be a real heartbreaker if Coach Alvarado doesn’t get chosen in the end. Best of luck Manuel, it’s not your fault. Big Mickey and Little Mickey let you down.

    January 15, 2009 at 8:03 p.m.
  • scout scout Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    good choice. if the mentality is changed maybe the practice field (infield) will be utilized. The infield the last few years has been god awful. Rest, the soph. till just before district.

    January 15, 2009 at 3:03 p.m.
  • roberttx roberttx Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    I agree, a big congrats to both coaches !

    January 15, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
  • TommyT TommyT Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Head Coach Manuel Alverado and Assistant Athletic Director Ralph Escalona.
    Education, Experience, and Hard Work has its rewards. Victoria is proud to have such dedicated individuals working with and mentoring our students who will become our future leaders.
    Tommy Tijerina

    January 15, 2009 at 10 a.m.
  • SHS84 SHS84 Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Hey broham, just want you to know that I am so proud of you. You certainly deserve this opportunity. Best of luck to you and the Vipers. Love you and God bless.

    January 15, 2009 at 9:10 a.m.
  • soniadelbosque soniadelbosque Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Congratulations Manuel!

    January 15, 2009 at 8:43 a.m.