Garrido to receive Ellie Island Medal of Honor
By Steve Lansdale
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas baseball head coach will miss Saturday’s game at West Virginia … with good reason. Garrido will be in New York to accept the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
The award is given by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations in recognition of those “who embody the spirit of America in their celebration of patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood and diversity.”
“I’m stunned by it,” Garrido said. “It’s a surprising distinction to somehow be singled out.”
Past recipients of the award include six United states presidents, Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Rose Parks, Barbara Jordan, Nobel Prize laureates Elie Wiesel and Bert Sakmann, and former automotive executive Lee Iaccoca.
Now in his 48th season, Garrido is one of the most decorated coaches in the history of college baseball. He has won five national titles, eight super regional titles, 16 regional crowns and 25 conference titles. He has been named national coach of the year six times, regional coach of the year seven times and conference coach of the year eight times. He was an assistant coach for Team USA in 1990.
