Juan Jose Capelo was one of those high school students who took part in every sport he could -- and earned numerous scholastic awards as well.

At Edcouch-Elsa, Capello lettered in football, basketball and track & field. He had the second-highest grade point average of his class, graduating as salutatorian.

Capello earned an academic scholarship to Texas A&I College, and tried out for the team as a walk-on. Not only did Capello make the team, he was one of the best on the squad.

Capello lettered three years as an offensive center and linebacker, taking All-Lone star Conference awards. He was a member of the Texas A&I team that captured the NAIA National Championship, defeating Lenoir-Ryne College of Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl.

But Capello was also outstanding in the classroom. He made the College Dean’s List every semester he was enrolled, and became one of the few Hispanic students to be honored in Alpha Chi, a national fraternity. He graduated from Texas A&I in 1964 and was admitted into The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where he completed medical school in only three years. He now owns his own orthopedic and sports medical clinic in the Fort Worth area.