Private school standout Castañeda signs to Texas Southmost College men’s soccer
Texas Southmost College athletics sent a message on Tuesday morning. Regardless of the school you played for in the Rio Grande Valley, and if you have the playing skills, the Scorpions soccer program will welcome you to try out to join their roster.
Ramiro Castañeda, who most recently played soccer for the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAAPS) Division 1A school First Baptist in Brownsville, signed his letter of intent to join the TSC Soccer team, Tuesday, April 5, 2023, at the First Baptist School in Brownsville.
Castañeda used the tryout route to make the roster after First Baptist Head Coach, George Solis, learned about the Scorpion soccer tryouts and encouraged him to make it a goal to play for the Scorpions.
Castañeda said he was surprised his tryout was enough to get noticed by the Scorpion’s Coach Mario Zamora, who, along with TSC Executive Director of Athletics & Civility Dr. Armando Ponce, would eventually extend an offer to join the Scorpions’ soccer team.
“I was not expecting a call because I felt I had not been training as often,” Castañeda admitted, “but this is a great opportunity for my future. I get to do what I love most: playing soccer and continuing to study.”
Castañeda will be a part of the first TSC Scorpion men’s soccer team to compete in the NJCAA, forging a new history at the 96-year institution with a rich athletics history.
“We, at First Baptist, knew he had the talent to play at the next level,” said Solis. “We encouraged him to try out for the Scorpions because it was an opportunity that stood out. He gets to play close to home, and his family and friends will see him play and continue to support him.”
Tryouts help mold roster
“During tryouts, Castañeda stood out,” Zamora said. “After inquiring with the people that interacted with him and knew of him, I learned he was well-recommended, not just as a player but as a student-athlete.”
Zamora said tryouts are essential to finding what he refers to as ‘diamonds in the rough,’ who are players that might not initially be on his radar.
“Tryouts are the way to witness the playing skills of players from other teams that we didn’t get to see during their season,” said Zamora. “Tryouts allow them to show what they have and hopefully join a team. I encourage players to come out on the 22nd.”
The next Scorpion Soccer Tryouts for men and women is on Saturday, April 22nd, at the Scorpion Soccer Field on 2000 W University Blvd, Brownsville, Texas. There is no fee to tryout but do not forget to bring a copy of a valid sports physical, shing guards and preferably a white shirt.
