By Dan Lathey
LAREDO, Texas - By any measure, Vanessa Villarreal has to be considered one of the greatest athletes in Texas A&M International University history. The San Antonio, Texas native was a member of TAMIU's inaugural women's basketball squad in 2003-04, and her list of accomplishments after a stellar four-year career have left an indelible mark on Dustdevil women's basketball history.
Villarreal is the TAMIU career leader in seven categories, including games played (119), points (2,295), rebounds (805), field goals made (850) and 3-point field goals made (185). She also sits in second in steals (217) and third in blocks (76).
Villarreal was a three-time NAIA All-American and First Team All-Conference performer during TAMIU's stint in the Red River Athletic Conference before earning Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-Heartland Conference honors as a senior in 2006-07.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in fitness & sports with a minor in criminal justice in 2007, Villarreal accepted a position at Laredo's St. Augustine High School where she served as a physical education/health teacher and coach. After one year in that position, she returned to her alma mater, Madison High School, to accept what she describes as her "dream job." Villarreal currently coaches basketball and track and field at Madison, but in the past has coached volleyball, softball and girls strength and conditioning.
Former TAMIU kinesiology professor Dr. Rafael Romo says Villareal was an excellent student who he knew was destined to make an impact on her own students in the future.
"Vanessa was a perfect student and one of the best female basketball players in TAMIU program history," said Romo. "More important than her accomplishments on the court, after graduating Vanessa became a great example for future generations. She is a successful high school coach and teacher that teaches not only the game, but also teaches the importance of succeeding in the game of life."
Like many of us, Villarreal's professional life has been interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. She is riding the crisis out patiently, but is anxious and ready to get back to the business of coaching and shaping the lives of her athletes and students.
Villarreal recently shared some of her thoughts on her profession, the importance of high school athletics and her playing career at TAMIU:
Question: What is the most rewarding aspect of your coaching career?
Answer: It's rewarding to meet my athletes, whether it's in middle school or their first day in high school, hear their aspirations and goals, and then watch them achieve those goals by the time they graduate. I have been blessed to see some girls get basketball scholarships and others get into the university they want because they are in the top 10% of their class.
Question: How do you see high school athletics playing a role in the return to normalcy after the coronavirus crisis subsides?
Answer: Athletics galvanizes the community and provides a unifying force that allows all people to come together. High school athletics provides a diversion to everyday issues, a way to have a positive escape. It will be much needed after this crisis. Hopefully athletes, coaches and all involved are more appreciative of the high school experience overall, including athletics. I know for me, as a person who 100% loves my job, I miss it dearly!
Question: What is your best memory of your basketball career at TAMIU?
Answer: I have two. Our first postseason win in the 2003-04 season. It was the first season of the program, we were a young team and we just competed hard. We listened and were coachable and it helped us succeed. The second one was when Coach Garcia told me that I made 3rd team All-American after my junior season. I put in a lot of work throughout the years to become a good player, I appreciated all that work at that moment.
Question: Do you still keep in touch with your TAMIU teammates?
Answer: Still very close to Jermina Tomlinson Hall. We have monthly dinners to catch up. Over the last few years I have become closer with former teammates who are also coaches. This coming basketball season Leanne Mendoza and I have set up our two teams to play each other. Madison will travel to Laredo Nixon in November.
Question: What is the most important life lesson you learned from your collegiate playing career?
Answer: As I look back, the whole college experience taught me to work hard and humble yourself, To ask for help when you need it and to not try to figure out or do too much on your own. Your teammates can become family with all the experiences you go through.
Question: Do you have anything else you would like to share with Dustdevil fans?
Answer: It is awesome to see TAMIU grow the way it has. To see all the sports it has now, the new facilities and to see all the San Antonio kids that are still making their way down to Laredo is great!
