By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Staff Writer
On Friday, Aug. 3, former Port Isabel star running back, Raul “Tinker” Villarreal, current Offensive Line Coach and Head Powerlifting Coach in Alice, TX, was in town to present at the Port Isabel Early College High School.
Villarreal has recently published his book, “Building Powerlifting Champions: Powerlifting Guide for Coaches and Lifters.”
“This book is a guide to help coaches and athletes create a championship mindset in their training and programs,” said Villarreal. “All my years of coaching techniques are in this book. Sharing my expertise and knowledge with others is important to help young coaches and lifters reach their highest potential.”
As part of an initiative to bring in speakers to add a different voice and offer various insights from their
experiences in coaching, Girl’s Athletic Coordinator, Johvonne Howard, asked Villarreal to speak at their Annual Kick-Off Coach’s Meeting. Howard was thankful Villarreal was able to attend, calling his speech “inspiring and motivational.”
“He spoke about his book and the journey which led him to publish it. He was very humbled and enthusiastic
about speaking to us and brought all the energy and passion as we gear up for another year,” said Howard.
Back during his football days, Villarreal played for the 1990 PI Quarterfinals playoff team and ended up rushing for 1375 yards that season. At the time, the team was just the fourth PI team to reach the quarterfinal round since 1950 – its inaugural season, and to this day remains one of only seven teams to accomplish that feat.
Villarreal made significant contributions wherever he coached with 28 years of powerlifting and football coaching experience under his belt.
After graduating high school, Villarreal played football at Tarleton State College and Valley Semi-pro ball with the Harlingen Wolverines. He got his first head coaching job at Santa Maria in 2005, before joining the Weslaco Panthers team. While at Weslaco, he helped them achieve the top rushing offense in class 5A.
Villarreal jumped on the coaching carousel (Santa Gertrudis, Three Rivers, Beeville and Alice), and helped them produce some of the top rushing offenses in the state at those schools as well. He produced several All-District and All-State linemen during his long tenure as Offensive Coordinator and finds it rewarding to see his athletes recognized for their hard work.
“I live to impact peoples’ lives,” said Villarreal.
Over the years, Villarreal has had several mentors and coaches, but he attributes his entry into the strength and conditioning field to the late PI Defensive Coordinator, Eliseo Villarreal. His former coach instilled in him two great attributes for any athlete – discipline and work ethic. He remembers his former coach would often encourage him “to be the strongest athlete in the room.”
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