by Ray Sanchez 07.20.14
There have been many iconic sports figures in El Paso sports. The late H. R. Moye ranks among the best.
I mean, this man became so beloved by the young people he coached, taught and counseled at Jefferson High School he’s not only had a school and a library named after him but those whose lives he touched have formed not only a club but a foundation in his honor.
They call themselves “Moye’s Boys” and some of them go way back to when Jefferson High School opened in 1949. I, along with my wife Helen and sister-in-law and Jefferson graduate Agueda “Giddy” Espinoza, had the pleasure of having breakfast with them last week.
What a treat.
THE GROUP started in 2002 when the late Mickey Solis plus Bobby Odell and Juan Saldana, all Jefferson High graduates, began to get together along with other former classmates for breakfast.
Soon it became a weekly affair, and they decided to call themselves “Moye’s Boys.”
You see, Moye wasn’t just a coach and a teacher. He showed such love and compassion for young people and helped them in so many ways he became more of a father figure. Heck, I bet some of them would nominate him for sainthood.
MOYE COACHED baseball, taught classes, became assistant principal then principal at Jefferson and eventually principal at Andress High School and a school board member.
Moye’s mission in life had always been to help others, especially the less fortunate, and Moye’s Boys are continuing that mission. Their stated goal is “to provide aid and resources to less fortunate individual students who might require clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, dental care, medical care and any other service they may not be able to afford.”
And they’re so serious about it they’ve actually founded a legal Moye’s Boys Foundation under the IRS code 501©(3).
THEIR MAIN fund raising source is an annual golf tournament called Moye’s Boys Jefferson Foxes Golf Tournament. It will be held this year on Sept. 28 at Painted Dunes Golf Course and is dedicated to Capt. Roberto “Chito” Samaniego, who died 
while serving his country during the Korean war.
The tournament is in its fourth year and is already quite popular. Although the tournament is more than a month away, 60 entries had already been received by last week.
It’s easy to enter. You can call tournament chairman Frank Maldonado at 474-1946, Sal Samaniego at 592-0076 or Tony Robles at 256-0031 for more information.
You’ll meet some very nice folks and have a lot of fun for a good cause.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the first African-American to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA)? Answer at end.
THE EL PASO Baseball Hall of Fame has received 13 nominations for induction this year.
They are umpire Richard Bustamante, player/coach/administrator Chester Morgan, player/coach Jerry Antwine, player/coach David Del Toro, player/scout Kevin Ham, coach John Carpenter, author/historian Eric Enders and players Luis Gonzalez, Paul Taylor, Bryan Tambone, Gerardo Valdez, Bobby Nunez and Sonny Parra.
SPEAKING OF Halls of Fame, have you turned in your nomination along with a resume to the El Paso Golf Hall of Fame? Deadline is Aug 1. You can do it via email at epgolfhof@yahoo.com.>
I TRIED breakfast at Santa Teresa Country Club last Sunday along with my wife Helen, son Daniel and friends Art Johnson, Tommy Johnson and Helen Patterson. Wow. Can you believe Country Club food and service in beautiful surroundings served by one of the best waiters in the country, Juan, and all for a very modest price?
No, I don’t have an interest in the club. It’s just that the folks I was with raved about the food and service and thought I should let you know.
ANSWER to trivia question: Chuck Cooper of the Boston Celtics