Athlete of the Week: Ramon Zuniga

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Ramon Zuniga had a memorable career at Lopez High School, highlighted by his then program record 39 goals in his sophomore year.

“By one game, my coach just told me, you're one away from the record, and I didn't even know. Scoring the last goal to get the record, and then just going on in the season, made it just feel unreal,” said Ramon Zuniga, former Lopez High School soccer player committed to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Ramon’s high school career was made much more special because his father, whom he is named after, Ramon Zuniga, is an assistant head coach for Lopez High School.  

“Back then there was a player, one of his players, playing for Lopez, and he says, I see one of the best players in the valley, and then I see a little boy that is going to become one of the best players at Lopez in the Valley,” said Ramon Zuniga, Ramon’s Father.

Perhaps Ramon’s life would have been different had his father not taught him soccer when he was younger, creating a special bond.

“Every time I needed him, he was always there to practice, to play with me,” said Zuniga. “He showed me most of the stuff that I know, and I give props to him for the level and the place I am today.”

Those lessons paved the way for Ramon to commit to UTRGV.

“I know a lot of kids have that dream here, and I want to show them that it's possible to go D1, it's possible to achieve the dreams that you have, just keep going and keep working,” said Zuniga.

Ramon continues working and is preparing for life at the D1 level by playing for the FC Brownsville soccer team.