HR1264 - Congratulating Tony Harper on his retirement as head coach of the Cathedral High School boys' basketball team.

      H.R. No. 1264       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Tony Harper retired as head coach of the boys'   basketball team at Cathedral High School in El Paso at the end of   the 2024-2025 season, drawing to a close an exceptional career in   the coaching ranks that spanned nearly six decades; and          WHEREAS, A native of El Paso, Tony Harper lettered in   basketball, baseball, and football at Austin High School, and he   played basketball at Texas Western College, learning the   intricacies of the game under Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of   Fame coach Don Haskins; in 1968, at the age of 22, he began his   career as a junior varsity coach at El Paso Burges High School, and   he went on to serve as head coach for 14 years; and          WHEREAS, In 1985, Coach Harper took the helm of the program at   El Paso High School; following his five years there, he became the   inaugural coach at El Paso Montwood High School; he enjoyed great   success during his 23-year tenure with the Rams, guiding his squads   on playoff runs that reached the finals and semifinals of the   University Interscholastic League regional tournament; prior to   his departure in 2013, the school's basketball facility was renamed   Tony Harper Gymnasium in his honor; and          WHEREAS, Staying in El Paso for the final stop of his   legendary career, Coach Harper took the reins of the Cathedral   boys' basketball team at the start of the 2013-2014 campaign; once   again quickly establishing a winning culture, he led the Irish to   the final four of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial   Schools state playoffs in his debut year with the school; in his   last game on February 11, 2025, he directed Cathedral to a 59-33   triumph over Lydia Patterson Institute, recording his 1,159th   all-time career victory; and          WHEREAS, Widely respected, Coach Harper is a 2018 inductee of   the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame; additionally, he was   recognized as the 2013 National High School Coaches Association   National High School Boys' Basketball Coach of the Year and the 2012   UIL Texas High School Basketball Coach of the Year; and          WHEREAS, Coach Harper has served as an inspiring mentor and   role model to countless El Paso student-athletes, and he may indeed   reflect with pride on his myriad accomplishments as he embarks on   the next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby congratulate Tony Harper on his retirement as   head coach of the Cathedral High School boys' basketball team and   extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for Coach Harper as an expression of high regard by the   Texas House of Representatives.     Perez of El Paso     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 1264 was adopted by the House on May   23, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House