Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Fall 2021
Abstract
Mario de la Fuente was born in 1909 in Mexico, the twelfth child of a prosperous rancher and merchant. His early life was disrupted by the Mexican Revolution, forcing his family to flee to Mexico City and later to the United States, where they faced poverty and racism. Despite these challenges, Mario excelled in academics and sports, particularly baseball, at Del Rio High School and later at the University of Texas. He became the first Mexican to earn a baseball scholarship at UT and led his team to multiple championships. After a brief professional baseball career, he returned to Mexico, where he achieved significant success in business, notably in cable television, earning him the title "Father of Cable Television in Latin America." Mario's contributions extended beyond business, as he revitalized the economy of Nogales and brought professional baseball to Mexico. He was celebrated for his community service and as a pioneer for Mexican students in the U.S. Mario de la Fuente passed away in 2005, leaving a legacy as a Longhorn Legend and a bridge between Mexican and American cultures.
Recommended Citation
Torres, R. (2021). Mario “Mike” de la Fuente: Died a Longhorn Legend. Journal of South Texas, 35(2), 70-75.
First Page
70
Last Page
75
Publication Title
Journal of South Texas
Comments
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