Rudy Bowles Inducted into Hall of Honor
By: Anthony Sifuentes
Eagle Pass High School Principal Rudy Bowles was officially inducted into the Texas State University’s Hall of Honor on Friday, November 18, 2011, as one of three new inductees.
In a beautiful ceremony held at the Sac N Pac Room at Bobcat Stadium, Bowles received the highest honor a former Texas State University athlete letter winner can receive. He is the first Eagle Passan to receive such an honor and be inducted to the prestigious Hall of Honor at his alma mater.
The ceremony was highlighted by a dinner and then with a look back at the extraordinary careers of all three inductees. Inducting Bowles was his former head basketball coach, Vernon McDonald. As a star guard for the formerly Southwest Texas State University Bobcats Basketball Team from 1960-1964, Bowles earned four varsity letters, was a member of the 300 Point Club in his last two years, and was team captain his senior year.
He was a member of the team that competed in the NAIA National Tournament and a member of the 1961-1962 NAIA District Playoff team. While the induction ceremony was for his athletic achievements while at Texas State University on the court, his post-collegiate achievements were not forgotten. Both Coach McDonald and Texas State University’s Associate Athletic Director, Don Coryell, made references to Bowles’ extraordinary career in public service and education after college.
After graduating from Texas State in 1965 with a degree in Business Education and a minor in History, Bowles returned to Eagle Pass and embarked on a long journey of giving back to the community.
In 1983, Bowles became the youngest county judge ever elected in Maverick County. President Ronald Regan in 1984 appointed Bowles, along with 7 other elected officials from Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona, to advise him on policy regarding U.S.-Mexico relations.
Since his playing days he has assumed numerous duties including being a Maverick County Commissioner, member of the Knights of Columbus, President of the Eagles Association, Maverick County Representative on the Maverick County Appraisal District Board of Commissioners, and member of the Maverick County International Airport Board of Directors. In 1993, he earned his Master’s degree in Education and achieved Mid-Management Certification from Sul Ross State University.
Finally, Bowles has had a long tenure with the Eagle Pass Independent School District. Bowles has served the academic community of Eagle Pass as both educator and administrator. He has taught at Memorial Junior High School and served as Principal of Eagle Pass Junior High School and Principal of Eagle Pass High School, a position he still holds today.
Bowles was also honored on Saturday, November 19th, during the halftime of the Bobcats football game against the Sam Houston State University Bearkats.
He stood proudly in the middle of the field with his patented smile along with the other two inductees, soaking in the elite honor bestowed upon him by his alma mater, Texas State University.
Inducted into the Hall of Honor together with Bowles were Aubrey Horner (basketball) and Claude Mathis (football). The Eagle Pass Business Journal was the only local news media present there to cover the historic event.
Bowles was accompanied by his wife, Maria Teresa Bowles, his sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and family members.
