El Paso Community College is celebrating the achievements of Felix Hinojosa, the coach who has not only led the women's Half Marathon team to six national championships but has also carved a legacy of academic and athletic excellence over his 35-year tenure. The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) honored him at a special event in Charlotte, North Carolina, making him one of the first to receive the newly minted Coaches Legacy Award.
The award, recognizing the NJCAA's all-time winningest coaches, wasn't merely focused on Coach Hinojosa's championship victories, including back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015, he was acknowledged for his broader impact, influencing more than 20 All-American Runners and instilling in his athletes both a deep love for their sport and the importance of educational accomplishment which is evident as his teams are consistently recognized as NJCAA Academic All-American Teams for their high GPAs, Dr. William Serrata, EPCC President shared his pride, stating that "Mr. Hinojosa's commitment, work and dedication" was outstanding and well-deserved, as per EPCC News.
Under Hinojosa's direction, EPCC athletes have not only achieved on the track but in the classroom as well, with numerous students transferring to 4-year institutions, a result of his dual focus on academic and athletic rigor. Flor Luna, a former EPCC athlete, credited Hinojosa with instilling discipline that transcends sports, saying, "Coach Hinojosa instills discipline before, during and after training for valuable life skills," she told EPCC News.
The respect for Hinojosa extends beyond the college, as his work has reached into the wider community, building a bridge between sports and education as noted by EPCC Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services, Dr. Carlos Amaya said "Mr. Hinojosa's impact reaches far beyond just his student-athletes and EPCC, it has influenced our entire community," as obtained by EPCC News, demonstrating a lasting influence on the region's youth and contributing to a collegiate culture of excellence in El Paso.
