EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Friday plans to build a new entry plaza to its baseball stadium and name it after legendary Baseball Head Coach Emeritus Al Ogletree and his late wife of 62 years, Joann.
 
The UT System Board of Regents initially approved the Coach Al and Joann Ogletree Plaza project on Feb. 11.
 
The new entry plaza has an estimated total project cost of $250 thousand, with anticipated funding coming from philanthropic effort.
 
Anyone interested in getting involved with this capital project should contract UTPA Director of Athletics Chris King at (956) 665-2221 on kingca@utpa.edu.
 
When faithful of the Broncs talk about the legacy and tradition of the UTPA baseball program, the topic always begins with one family, Al and Joann, Ogletree.
 
In 29 years as the head coach of the Pan American baseball team from 1968-97, Al Ogletree, or as he's better known, "Coach Al," compiled a record of 1,084-618-1 (.637) while leading the Broncs to 13 NCAA Regionals and one College World Series. He retired in 1997 with 1,217 career wins, and currently stands as the 26^th winningest coach in NCAA history.
 
In 1971, Coach Al led his team to a 44-9 record and a fourth place finish at the College World Series. At season's end, The Sporting News named him as the nation's Coach of the Year. He received the honor from his colleagues in the NCAA District VI, the Texas Sports Writers' Association and the South Plains Professional Scouts Association as well.
 
He produced 23 MLB Draft Picks, three of whom reached the big leagues, and 175 future coaches, including his successor, Reggie Tredaway, current Tampa Bay Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey, and current Miami Marlins first base and infield coach Perry Hill.
 
Coach Al has been a legend in the collegiate world of baseball for over five decades, and his hard work and dedication to the UTPA baseball program was recognized when he became an inaugural member of the UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame in February 2007. He is also the Broncs head coach emeritus, one of only two people to ever hold that title at Pan American.
 
Coach Al has also been inducted into nine Halls of Fame around the State of Texas:
•Austin High School Hall of Fame
•Texas A&M Hall of Fame
•American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame
•The Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame
•UTPA Hall of Fame
•Central Texas Semi-Pro Hall of Fame
•University of Dallas Collegiate Hall of Fame
•Sul Ross State Hall of Fame
•Texas Sports Hall of Fame
 
Coach Al also serves as a member of the UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame board that nominates future hall of fame inductees. 
 
Al and Joann were married for 62 years when Joann passed away at the age of 83 on May 21, 2014. In addition to caring for their five children, Joann mentored many young couples while serving as a matriarch for the Pan American baseball team.
 
The Ogletrees founded the Al and Joann Ogletree Scholarship Endowment, which is managed by the UTPA Foundation and comprised of over 130 donors. As of Aug. 31, 2014, the market value of the endowment was $21,148.62.
 
The purpose of the entry plaza is to honor Al and Joann for their commitment, dedication and investment in the baseball program, athletic department, University and community at large. Our objective is to honor the pride, legacy and tradition the Ogletree family has instilled in our athletic department.
 
The impact of the Ogletrees will last forever. Coach Al is still the topic of conversation when the team plays a televised game, such as those on Longhorn Network. This plaza will help to commemorate the example they set for years to come.

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