When asked about what his favorite part of his job, and what he'll miss the most, San Elizario Indepedent School District Athletic Director Bernie Del Hierro said it's the student-athletes.

After 18 years as AD of the San Elizario School District, Del Hierro, retired with his last official day being on Dec. 31. In his 18 years, Del Hierro has a lot of fond memories including seeing the athletes at San Elizario succeed.

"It's a very humble community there and ... you actually get to know the kids since they're in elementary (school) and of course middle school, you start to know the parents," Del Hierro said. "The first time they've ever played, they're there trying to support the kids. So, you become part of the community and I have a lot of fond memories from the families and the kids themselves. I think the icing the cake is seeing these kids develop, graduate and then come back to the community with college degrees and things like that.

Mark Rudi

"You can see what the success has done for the kids and it's helped academically and everything else. The kids have really thrived out there and it's a great, great feeling."

Del Hierro didn't start in education. After graduating from Austin High School in 1966 and from UTEP in 1971 he started a career in pharmaceutical sales. Del Hierro, who's also in his 43rd year of officiating football and basketball, was also officiating college football in the Western Athletic Conference at that time, as well.

But in his seventh year, the WAC didn't give any more contracts, which he said was heartbreaking at the time. But it led Del Hierro to go to graduate school, earning his master's from Stephen F. Austin. His first education job was as a bilingual teacher for the Socorro Independent School District for six years before becoming San Elizario's AD.


"He did a lot of good things," Clint Independent School District athletic director Rene Aguilar said. "The guy was a real authority on athletics, especially because he's also a 42-year football and basketball official. He's called state tournaments, he's called some pretty big quarterfinal football games. Having that kind of knowledge and applying that with your athletic director duties and responsibilities paid off big for us as an AD group in El Paso. He's always been a very, very positive asset here in this district with us. He's a good man."

Del Hierro also saw the tennis and soccer programs start up at San Elizario and has seen them both succeed, along with the girls and boys basketball teams in recent seasons. He helped improve facilities and equipment at San Elizario.

When looking back at some of his favorite memories, Del Hierro said that what sticks out is the Eagles' 2000 football season when the school won its only football district championship and narrowly missed knocking off Riverside in the bi-district playoffs.

Del Hierro said he has no long-term retirement plans yet, other than playing a lot of golf and spending more time with family.

He will continue to officiate high school football and basketball games and will attend San Elizario games.

"Bernie has done a great job out here," San Elizario boys basketball coach Mauricio Perez said. "He is all about the kids. Bernie is the nicest man that I've met. He's a classy guy, great guy to work for, very understanding, very supportive."

Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.