Longtime Valley Football Coach Inducted Into Texas State University “T” Association

Rey Farias of Los Fresnos was inducted in the Texas State University “T” Association at ceremonies in San Marcos Nov. 22-23.
He was among four inductees recognized at an Induction Ceremony Nov. 22 and at halftime of the Bobcats’ football game against Western Kentucky Nov. 23.

Farias, who is retired, has lived in Los Fresnos since 1975. After graduating from La Joya High in 1961, he walked on at Southwest Texas State University (as the school was known then) and was a four-year letterman from 1961-65. A standout running back for the Bobcats, Farias was among the Lone Star Conference leaders in scoring and rushing throughout his four-year career.

A three-year starter, Farias played defense for the Bobcats while starting as a cornerback beginning in his sophomore season. That year, he was the team’s second leading scorer and led the team in receiving yards as a running back while helping the Bobcats finish 8-2. During his junior year, the 1963 team went undefeated, winning a Lone Star Conference Championship and earning a No. 1 national ranking in NAIA. Farias, also known for his receiving ability, hooked up with quarterback Dee White that season for an 80-yard completion out of the backfield. At the time, that was the longest pass completion in Bobcat history.

Because of his outstanding play, Farias earned Little All-American Honorable Mention accolades his senior year. During his senior season, Farias was a pre-season Little All-American candidate. Before a season-ending injury, he led the conference in both scoring and rushing, and finished the season leading the team in total rushing yards and rushing yards per game. The 1964 Bobcats also finished the season with an impressive 8-2 record.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education from SWT in 1965, Farias went on to play professional football for the San Antonio Toros for three seasons as a running back and kick-return specialist.

After his professional football career ended, he earned a Master of Education degree in from Our Lady of the Lake University and began an extensive career as an educator.

His first position was at South San Antonio ISD, where he was a football coach and math teacher for 10 years. He later transferred to Los Fresnos CISD, where he began a 27-year career. Farias was the Los Fresnos HS head football coach and athletic director for four seasons from 1975 to 1978. After one year teaching at the Brownsville ISD, Farias returned to Los Fresnos as Assistant Principal from 1979 to 1986, Principal from 1986 to 1995, and Director of Maintenance from 1995 to 2002.

Farias completed his teaching career at Brownsville ISD where he taught Special Education until his retirement in 2009. Farias has served on the Los Fresnos CISD Board of Trustees since 2004, serving as President from 2010 to 2012, when the board was selected as the Region 1 Board of the Year and Outstanding School Board of Texas. The Texas State University recognition is not his first. He was inducted into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame in San Antonio in 2007 and the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

Farias currently resides in Los Fresnos with his wife, Darlene. They have three children, Kim, Kristie and Vikki who all also attended Texas State. Ray is currently a member of the St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, a member of the Quarterback Club in Los Fresnos, and is active in the Texas State Alumni Association.