Mission Made, Legacy Played Celebrating 30 Years of Mission CISD Softball

MISSION, TEXAS— What began as a vision in 1995 has grown into a legacy of pride, determination, and athletic excellence. Mission Consolidated Independent School District is proudly celebrating the 30th anniversary of its softball program—a milestone that honors the remarkable impact of Coach Iris Iglesias, who pioneered the sport in Mission and inspired generations of young women to chase their dreams on and off the field.

“I always had that dream,” said Iglesias. “Graduating here, I wanted to come back to Mission. When Coach Garcia asked if I’d start a softball program, I said yes immediately—I was all in.”

Armed with little more than borrowed milk crates, homemade batting tees, and unmatched passion, Coach Iglesias built the foundation of Mission CISD softball from the ground up.

 Her husband helped fabricate equipment from radiator hoses, pipes, and cement, while players hit against old tires for resistance training. Used lockers came from the football stadium. A karaoke machine became the public address system. And to raise funds, the team ran its own concession stand and sold T-shirts emblazoned with the rallying cry: “Coming Alive in ’95.”

Honoring a Pioneer

Coach Iglesias’ resourcefulness was matched only by her leadership. With fierce dedication and an unwavering belief in her athletes, she forged a program defined by unity and work ethic. In 2012, her legacy was cemented with her induction into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame. In 2019, Mission High School honored her further by naming the school’s softball complex after her.

“That was a special honor,” Iglesias said. “But I still attribute everything to the players. They made me look good, and I appreciated that.”

Beyond the accolades, Iglesias’ influence was deeply personal. She not only taught the fundamentals of softball, but instilled life values—responsibility, respect, and resilience. Her players didn’t just walk away with trophies; they left with confidence, sisterhood, and a sense of belonging. The field became a second home, and Iglesias was more than a coach—she was a mentor, a role model, and for many, a lifelong inspiration.

A Legacy Passed Down

Today, her legacy lives on through the coaches she mentored and the players who now wear the maroon and white with pride. Coach Maria Aparicio, now the head coach at Mission High School, was recruited by Iglesias in classic fashion.

“After a coaches’ game, Coach Iglesias came up to me and said, ‘You can coach for me anytime,’” Aparicio recalled with a smile. “I didn’t need an interview—I had already proven myself on the field. Iris established a winning tradition, and I’ve done my best to carry it forward.”

At Veterans Memorial High School, Head Coach Vivian Ray also continues the legacy. Ray, who once competed against Iglesias, remembers leaning on her early in her own coaching career.

“My first year, we had nothing but freshmen and sophomores,” said Ray. “Iris helped me out so much. I had to go to her for advice, and she was always there. All my early players came from her program.”

More Than a Game

For the early players, softball at Mission wasn’t just a sport—it was a movement.

“I’m proud of where we came from because we started this,” said alumna Claudia Vergel. “Now my daughter plays here. Walking into that dugout gave me chills—this is where it all began.”

“We were players, but we were also maintenance,” added alumna Sonya Reyna. “We raked the field, watered it, ran concessions. That made us respect the game more.”

“Everybody grabbed a rake,” said alumna Melissa Reyna. “Nobody was too good to work the field. That’s what made us a family.”

The program even had its own anthem—written by the players and inspired by the film A League of Their Own. The team modified the lyrics to reflect their own experiences in Mission:

“We are the members of the Mission softball team. We come from barrios near and far…”

The song became a staple at games, especially on the ride home, regardless of whether the team had won or lost. It brought the girls together in shared purpose and pride, turning van rides into moments of reflection, laughter, and unity.

“It was our way of saying, no matter the score—we were in it together,” said alumna Brenda Garcia. “That song reminded us who we were. And that we had each other.”

Tradition Lives On

Today’s student-athletes continue to uphold that same legacy, instilled with the same passion and discipline passed down from the original squad.

“Being part of this team has taught me so much—discipline, responsibility, pride,” said VMHS senior Carolina De La Rosa. “It’s an honor to represent this tradition.”

MHS senior Mia Eileen Flores, who has earned multiple scholarships through the program, added, “Softball has given me so many opportunities. I’m thankful for this program and all it’s done for me.”

Both student-athletes are part of the next generation of Mission softball—one that respects the foundation laid before them and looks ahead with determination.

Looking Forward, Rooted in History

As Mission CISD celebrates three decades of softball, the program remains a shining example of what heart, vision, and teamwork can accomplish.

From its humble beginnings—when players used hand-built batting tees, borrowed milk crates, and repurposed lockers—the program has grown into a powerhouse of student-athlete development and community pride. The legacy of Coach Iris Iglesias, carried on by the coaches she mentored and the players she inspired, continues to resonate across generations. Through early challenges, memorable chants, long tournament weekends, and countless hours on and off the field, Mission CISD softball has built a tradition grounded in grit, family, and excellence.

“These young ladies established the tradition,” said Iglesias. “They created something special. And it lives on.”

With coaches and players still carrying the mission forward—literally and figuratively—the future of Mission CISD softball remains as bright as the lights on the field named in her honor.