RA Martinez starts off with dozens of text messages every day.
Friends, family, neighbors and former students all receive ‘good morning’ messages from the 83-year-old every day.
“If he didn’t text us, the group of[softball players]behind us would be like, ‘What’s going on? Why isn’t he texting us? Did you?” former Espanola high school player Dorothy Cisneros told the crowd.
Espanola Valley High School dedicated a baseball field in honor of Richard “RA” Martinez at a ceremony on May 24, unveiling a banner bearing his name and bearing its name. Martinez, 83, has been a long-time high school baseball and softball coach and is highly respected by many local residents.
“It’s amazing. I didn’t expect this,” Martinez said. “When I was coaching and teaching, it was never about me. It was always about my students and athletes. I think.”
Martinez said the school had originally planned to provide him with a softball field, but after adding up his years, it turned out that he had coached more baseball teams, so instead It is said that he gave the place to him.
The event included Mayor John Ramon Vigil, Pro-Tem Mayor Peggy Sue Martinez, President Jeremy Maestas, Superintendent Holly Martinez, and County Commissioner Alex Naranjo, to name a few. Prominent figures in Spanish politics were present, including members of the Board of Education.
Vigil got emotional about his daily texting, mentioning the impact RA Martinez had on him as a neighbor.
A 1975 Espanola graduate (last graduate), Cisneros played basketball at the University of Arizona before the NCAA sponsored women’s sports.
A dozen former RA Martinez softball players attended the dedication and helped plan the event.
Martinez taught English and coached in Spain for decades. He originally coached at Espanola High School, which merged with Santa Cruz in 1975 to become the Espanola Valley.
During that time, he became known for sending athletes and students to college and helping them get an education. Martinez said he focused on athletes and academics long before the internet and cell phones, and encouraged them to go to college.
“What I didn’t realize was all the work RA sponsored behind my back,” Cisneros said of his time at the university. He met the athletic director of Arizona at the event and convinced her to give Cisneros a spot on the team.
Lisa Villarreal played softball for the Espanola Valley and later won five state championships at the Volcano Vista, making her the most decorated female coach in New Mexico history. She credits Martinez’s leadership to her success.
“It’s because of his guidance that I became the coach I am today,” said Villarreal.
