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Friday, March 29, 2024

Lavaca Alumni Spotlight – Pablo Mendez

Pablo Mendez is a 1994 graduate of Lavaca High School and is this months Alumni Spotlight. He was born in Chicago, IL and moved to Lavaca when he was 13 years old. While Pablo was in school at Lavaca he played football and ran track. In 1999 Pablo married the love of his life, Susan Mendez (Hays). Susan is also a Lavaca High School graduate. Together they have 4 children, Amaya, Malakai, Kaesha, and Alana. They are all currently enrolled in Lavaca public schools.

Pablo on the mound

Both Pablo and his wife Susan are volunteer coaches. Pablo has been coaching for 14 years. He coached Little League until this year, when he became a volunteer coach for the Lavaca High and Jr High football programs. Pablo had to take several classes, a background check, and a ton of time consuming paperwork to get certified to coach in school. He did all of that on his own dime and his own time. Pablo has coached Baseball, softball, basketball, and football. His wife Susan coaches both the 3rd and 4th grade and 5th and 6th grade cheerleaders. Pablo, also announces all of the basketball games for Lavaca public schools, and Little League Football games. Back in 1995 and 96, Pablo announced the Lavaca football games on the radio. Pablo bleeds purple and gold! When it comes to his coaching, Pablo says, “I love the kids, the game, and our community.” Coach Brian Schlinker, head football coach at Lavaca, said, “It was such a blessing having Coach Pablo join our staff. He loves Lavaca and he truly has a passion for the youth of our town. He brought great enthusiasm and knowledge of football.”
Pablo on the court

Pablo describes himself as a “goofball, a big kid at heart, who loves to dance, laugh and make others laugh.”  He also sees himself as a music guru”.  If you have spent any time around Pablo, you can see that he loves his family, community, school and people as a whole. Coach Mark Headley, the Athletic Director at Lavaca High School, had this to say in regards to Pablo, It is unbelievable the amount of time he puts into the kids of Lavaca. He works a full time job and the volunteers with Little League, Junior High and High School athletics. Pablo has a servants heart and we are thankful for all that he does.”
Pablo on the field.

Pablo and his family exemplify what hometown spirit is all about. As a community, we can not thank him enough for the selflessness and caring that he has given. Over the past 14 years, not many of our student athletes have not been influenced by the Mendez family at one time or another. When you run into Pablo, and you will if you attend any of Lavaca’s sporting events, take the time to thank him for his service to our community. He truly is a friend to Lavaca.

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