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89(R) HR 1264 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
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