Monday night at the LCMCISD Board Meeting, Superintendent Stacey Brister proposed naming the high school softball field after super fan Pete Mota. The board, with little hesitation, passed her recommendation.
“He has demonstrated unwavering commitment to our student-athletes and programs here at home, and on the road,” Brister said. “I believe it’s a fitting tribute to his legacy and dedication. Naming the field will serve as a symbol of our appreciation and serve as an inspiration to future generations.”
Mota has been attending LCM sporting events for almost 50 years. And we don’t mean he attends a couple of games a season. If there is a game, no matter the sport, no matter if it’s home or away, no matter the day of the week, Mota is there. And if the Bears are off, chances are Mota will be seen in the stands at another Orange County school, wearing a green and gold shirt.
“I just love watching sports,” Mota told KOGT. “And I love the passion of the high school athletes. I think it is a great honor what LCM is doing for me and I am very thankful.”
Mota, 86, was a multisport athlete at Port Isabel High back in the fifties. His favorite sport was football and his second was fast pitch softball. Yes, softball, as they didn’t offer baseball in the area back then.
He continued his love for softball in the Army where he had planned a 20 year career. But he suffered a serious knee injury when he was taken out at second base by “a bully twice my size.” Unfortunately it ended his playing career and his service. “I wasn’t even supposed to be playing,” he said. “I was filling in for a guy who couldn’t make it.”
Work brought him to Houston and then Sabine Pass, where he was invited to Orange to meet a girl. Pete would get on at Levingston Shipyard and he and Ludie would be married for 51 years. She passed in 2015.
“I came here when Steve Worster was playing at Bridge City and I went to see him every time I could. In fact I watched him and Ronnie Harmon (LC) play right over there (pointing to the field where LCJH plays now). I’ve been going to games ever since.”
Every year the athletes gravitate to Mota, always wanting to take pictures with him and sometimes giving him gifts. He recalls and still wears the LCM letter jacket that he received from the Student Council in 2017.
“The girls and I have talked over the years about naming the field after Mr. Mota,” said LCM Softball Coach Dena Adkins. “And I guess now we won’t have to talk about it anymore,” she said smiling. “It’ll be an honor to play and coach at Pete Mota Field.”
There will be a presentation during the upcoming softball season. The school is also planning on building a new softball/baseball complex field in the future.
-Gary Stelly, KOGT-
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