UTB-TSC signs first RGV soccer player of new class

Scorpion soccer coach Dan Balaguero proved his point in 2007.

Despite some criticism in the Brownsville community for bringing several veteran players with him to the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College as the backbone of their inaugural team, he insisted that his main priority in recruiting was to keep the local talent here in Brownsville.

Several local players such as Juan Gamboa from Pace and Ricky Rodriguez from San Benito made significant contributions as freshman in UTB-TSC's regular season RRAC championship. On Tuesday, Balaguero and the Scorpions signed another Greyhound in Jose Galvan.

Galvan, the first Rio Grande Valley player to be signed in the new class, brings a lot of versatility to a Scorpion team that looks poised for another title run. A four-year starter at San Benito, Galvan started out as a midfielder before playing a little time at for-ward and anchoring the Greyhound defense during his senior campaign.

"I saw him last year a couple of times when I was watching Ricky. I always liked him because he was so versatile and could play a lot of positions," Balaguero said. "He seemed like the type of guy that could play at the collegiate level because he was so versatile and fought hard every time I saw him play."

Balaguero plans to start Galvan out as an outside midfielder with a possible shift to center later in his career.

Galvan is the type of player that coaches hope for: he's an excellent student (top 10 percent in his class), a hard worker, humble and according to San Benito coach J.C. Gonzalez is a model citizen in the community.

"I'm extremely proud of him," Gonzalez said. "He's so focused, not only on the field but in the classroom too. This is extra special for me because I know how hard he has had to work to get here, all of his hard work has paid off."

For Galvan, UTB-TSC was the only choice as the school and soccer program fit all of his needs. One of the main factors was the ability to stay close to home, specifically to his mother who as a single parent had to sometimes work two-to-three jobs at a time to put food on the table and clothes on his back.

"My parents split up and I live with mom and she's been a very important part of my life," Galvan said. "She worked really hard to maintain and for me to succeed in life. I love her to death and I want to thank her for every struggle, everything she did for me."

Galvan hopes to be a math teacher one day and plans to study education. He also stated that he wants to win championships as a Scorpion.

"They have an awesome team. The first year they won conference and almost went to nationals," Galvan said. "I went to see them play last year and I loved the way they play. I really think I'm going to enjoy it here."