BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Texas Southmost College (TSC) Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Basilio Mendoza’s passion for running and learning has opened the doors for him to take part in the Boston Marathon, one of the world’s best-known road races.
“One of my biggest privileges and honors,” Mendoza said. “You’re right there and you’re watching everything. They’re telling you and showing you maps. Ten thousand runners on Saturday for the 5K and 30,000 runners on Monday for the marathon.”
Mendoza helps set up the course for the marathon as a member of Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises (DMSE), which has organized or consulted on more than 1,400 events since 1981.
“DMSE are basically the ones who set up the whole start line, finish line and barricades,” he said. “They are in charge of the whole thing. I’m proud to say that I’m a part of the DMSE team.”
Mendoza will be working at the Boston Marathon for the fifth time in 2026. He initially got involved in the event by reaching out to Andy Deschenes, the Boston Athletic Association’s Start Line Coordinator.
“I emailed him and asked, ‘Would it be okay if I was to go over there? I’m from Texas and I could volunteer,’” said Mendoza.
The longtime Valley running coach said his first experience volunteering at the event was a memorable one.
“Treated me great. It just happened that weekend was the worst weather weekend in the history of Boston. It was pouring down rain and 20 degrees.”
The TSC cross country and track and field head coach made an impression on event organizers by working longer hours than required to complete his tasks.
“They noticed that,” Mendoza said. “The next year, I was back again. By the third year, they told me, ‘Come this way,’ and that’s when they started paying me.”
Mendoza is grateful for all the information he gets to bring back to South Texas.
“It’s one of the highlights of the year for me,” he said. “I get to learn a lot—about operations and how they organize everything.”
Mendoza will get to use the skills he has acquired at the Boston Marathon when TSC hosts the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 14 Cross Country Championship this fall.
