Haynes Baseball Field Dedication May 1 at TAMIU

The late Jorge Haynes, a much-beloved Laredo leader, coach, father of five and friend to hundreds will be honored by Texas A&M International University on Saturday, May 1, 2010.

The University will hold a naming dedication ceremony for the Jorge Haynes Baseball Field at 11 a.m., said Candy Hein, vice president for Institutional Advancement.

“This field and the Jorge and Olga Haynes Endowed Scholarship Fund at TAMIU will open doors to student-athletes so that they may continue their education. Both are a fitting tribute to a highly revered man who saw athletics as both pathway to higher education and passport to continued success,” she noted.

Haynes was born in Guerrero, Tamaulipas, México, and raised in Laredo. He was most proud of his US military service and his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Olga Gutíerrez, and the couple raised five outstanding children: Jorge, Roberto, Juvenal (J.J.), Cynthia and Lorenzo.

Haynes was a familiar face at local baseball fields, working as a volunteer manager/coach of the Tigers in the American Little League. Noting the need for a transition from Little League to Babe Ruth League, he founded Laredo's only Pony League.

His players often came from challenged home lives and the Haynes’ dinner table regularly featured new faces. As both mentor and coach, Haynes was always vocal about the enduring importance of education, practice and teamwork.

“We would especially encourage any of Mr. Haynes’ former players to join us for this event. Our TAMIU Dustdevils will be playing St. Mary’s University,” Hein said.

For additional information, contact Hein at 326.GIVE (4483), e-mail candy.hein@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 261.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu