Alexander Orosco ’08 found himself behind the wheel of a historically successful season of Coahoma Softball this last spring.
Orosco led the Bulldogettes to their first state tournament appearance since 2008 where they ultimately fell to Hallettsville in the title game. They ended their season with a 33-5-1 record. He was also named the Midland Reporter-Telegram coach of the year for his on-field accomplishments.
But, beyond his accomplishments on the field, Orosco continues to embody the servant leadership he learned at McMurry University.
Orosco has spent the last 15 years in education. Most recently he has coached and taught at Coahoma High School for the last 7 years. He has also made stops in Big Spring, Mathis, and Blooming Grove along his teaching journey. In addition to softball he coaches football, drives a bus route, and helps with scoreboard duties for CHS basketball games.
Whether it is coaching softball and football or teaching Spanish at CHS, Orosco said he uses the lessons he has learned at McMurry every day.
“One of the most memorable things I took from McMurry during my time there (2004-2008) was how helpful everyone was,” Orosco said “Without realizing it McMurry was teaching me how to help someone else.”
Those lessons of lending a helping hand and service helped Orosco develop his coaching style along with an acronym that inspires his successes.
“My coaching style is inspired by an acronym that our school goes by—F.A.M.I.L.Y. It stands for Forget About Me I Love You. It’s all about showing others (through actions) that we’re willing to forget about ourselves in order to help bring out the best in others, however that might be,” he said.
Orosco has inspired his students and athletes to carry on that ideal of servant leadership into their time at Coahoma.
“Our softball team and our athletics program in general prides itself in serving others in order to uplift. Any chance we can look beyond ourselves in order to help improve someone else, we’ll take it,” he said.
Even though his leadership has led to visible success for the Bulldogettes, Orosco gives most of the credit to his dedicated athletes. He said he enjoys challenging his athletes to grow and get better throughout their seasons.
“Throughout the year but mostly during the spring we (coaches) challenge our athletes to meet and break through their athletic thresholds. Though it’s easier said than done, our athletes do a great job of accepting those challenges and rising to them,” he said.
Orosco is proud to be a McMurry War Hawk and McMurry grad. He learned many lessons during his time at McMurry that he will never forget and will reflect on in his day to day.
“Being a McMurry War Hawk means everything to me. It’s where I learned to be an adult. McMurry taught me lessons I still use today,” he said. “I visit McMurry when I’m in Abilene and I promote it every chance I can to our Coahoma students and athletes.”
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