Athlete of the Week: Johnny Gonzalez

Name: Johnny Gonzalez
Classification: Sophomore
Major: Kinesiology
Sport: Baseball
Age: 20
Hometown: Corpus Christi

Who is your favorite athlete?
“Derek Jeter, because of the way he plays the game. He plays it hard.” Jeter, who played shortstop for the New York Yankees from 1995 until his retirement in 2014, is a five-time World Series champion.

Who is your role model for your life?
“My role model would have to be my dad. He does everything for me and I respect him for that.”

What is the best advice you’ve been given and by whom?
“It would have to be my dad. He tells me to keep running, keep pushing no matter what happens.”

Favorite place to hang out on campus?
“I hang out in study hall, got to get the grades up.”

When did you begin playing baseball and why did you start?
“Just a family tradition. My dad played, pretty much the whole family played. It’s in the genes.”

Did you get any awards in high school?
“I got utility MVP for the district.”

What are your academic goals?
“To further my education and graduate.”

What is your favorite movie?
“‘42,’ it’s a baseball movie. Jackie Robinson shows how he played the game.”

Where’s your dream vacation?
“Probably Hawaii. Nice water, nice girls.”

How do you feel about being part of the first UTRGV Men’s Baseball Team?
“It’s fun being around a good group of guys, good cultured staff. It’s all positive here and I really like it.”

–Compiled by Jesus Esparza