RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The City of Edinburg announced during a City Council meeting on Monday that Sugar Rd. between University Dr. and Schunior St. will now be known as "Coach Al Ogletree Way" in honor of the winningest coach in the history of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley baseball program.
 
Al Ogletree, or as he's better known, "Coach Al," was a legendary figure who shaped generations of student-athletes and brought national attention to the Valley throughout his outstanding tenure.
 
"Coach Al Ogletree wasn't just a winning coach – he was a builder of character, a mentor to hundreds, and a source of immense pride for Edinburg and the entire Rio Grande Valley," Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. said. "Renaming this stretch of road in his honor ensures that his legacy continues to inspire future generations. It's a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to excellence both on and off the field."
 
In 29 years as the head coach of the baseball team from 1968-97, Coach Al compiled a record of 1,084-618-1 (.637) while leading the team to 13 NCAA Regionals and one College World Series. He retired in 1997 and currently stands in the top 40 in winningest coaches in NCAA history with 1,208 wins including his time at Dallas (1958-65) and Sul Ross State (1966-68).
 
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. Coach Al 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 Seattle Mariners first base and infield coach Perry Hill, and former Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey.
 
"We would like to thank the City of Edinburg for honoring Coach Al's legacy in such a meaningful way," UTRGV Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. "I know this means a lot to our baseball program and alumni and we are proud to see another way in which Coach Al's memory lives on."
 
Coach Al's contributions earned him induction into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. He was recognized by legacy institution UTPA when he became an inaugural member of the Athletics Hall of Fame in February 2007.
 
Coach Al was inducted into eight other 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
•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
 
Al and his wife, Joann, were married for 62 years and founded the Al and Joann Ogletree Scholarship Endowment, which is comprised of over 130 donors.
 
To honor their legacy, UTRGV Athletics opened the Coach Al and Joann Ogletree Plaza in 2017. The objective is to honor the pride, legacy and tradition the Ogletree family has instilled in the athletic department.

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