The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Ochoa inducted into National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame
03.26.2007 | Football
Former Longhorns fullback Richard Ochoa was inducted into the National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday in San Antonio. Ochoa was a three-year letterman and a tri-captain of the 1952 team, which won the Southwest Conference title.
Ochoa earned All-SWC honors in 1952 after leading the team in rushing with 819 yards. He helped UT post a 25-7 record and capture two SWC Championships in his three seasons. He was also named the Outstanding Back in the 1953 Cotton Bowl victory over Tennessee when he rushed 26 times for 108 yards. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the 12th round of the 1953 NFL Draft.
Five others were inducted at the even, which took place in the Omni Hotel and was sponsored by the Hispanic Sports Foundation for Education, Inc.
Others who were inducted are Inocencio Cantu, an All-America cross-country runner at Texas in 1954; Rodemiro Gonzales, who played football and baseball at TCU in the 1950s; Hector Rodriguez, a Central Catholic graduate who played basketball at West Texas State in the 1970s; and Danny Villanueva, who was a kicker for the Cowboys and Rams for eight years in the 1950s and 60s and now owns 38 Spanish language radio stations.
The Hispanic Sports Foundation for Education awarded eight $1,000 scholarships at the banquet Saturday night.
