SPECIAL FEATURE (July 9, 2024) - People who watch him in concert would never imagine that he used to be a college soccer player; people who used to watch him play soccer never thought he would soon become a rock star. That's the story of Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) alumnus José Gómez, who played for the Saints soccer team from 2013-2016. At 29 years old, Gómez is the oldest of four siblings – Mayra Gómez, 26; Jonathan Gómez, 24; Shi Lo Gómez, 21; and Michael Gómez, 16. He cites graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology as his biggest accomplishment. "Being the first to graduate in my family created a path for my siblings to follow. I'm very proud of all the hard work and sacrifices [I made]."

Gómez said his time at OLLU was tough, but also enjoyable in all aspects. "Four years went by very fast, but the memories last forever. I had awesome professors who were always there for me if I needed help and willing to stay late to help me when necessary. I can't thank them enough, and also to all my classmates for always helping each other. Being in a small classroom with less than 20 students helped me to really get to know my classmates and made my college experience an awesome four years."

Gómez is also proud of being a member of the Saints, who went undefeated in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) his senior year. In his first year, the team went 11-4-1 overall and 4-2-1 in conference. The following year in 2014, the Saints finished as semifinalists in the post season, and in 2015, the team lost in the quarterfinals in a 4-3 shootout. During his last season, the team had a 10-3-3 overall record and went undefeated in conference with six wins. "We had a great soccer team, and those memories are priceless. Also, I treasured creating life-long relationships with my classmates and roommates. The long nights of studying paid off at the end, but being around my friends made it better."

Gómez first interaction with OLLU was during his middle school field trip. As a top student of Palmview High School in the La Joya Independent School District in La Joya, Texas, he would receive solicitation flyers from many colleges, including OLLU. "I noticed they had a soccer team, which got my attention." Gómez was in the top 10 percent of his class and was an All-Valley Goalkeeper and All-Valley First-Team recipient. Head Coach Shane Hurley went to Mission to see him play and offered him a tryout. "They offered my degree choice, which made it an easy decision to attend OLLU."

One of the goalkeepers for the Saints, Gómez was a RRAC Scholar-Athlete and earned Dean's List recognition. He graduated with a 3.113 GPA.

After graduating, Gómez took a year off and started the process of becoming a certified teacher. He's been a math teacher and coaches football, girls and boys soccer, track and field and baseball at a middle school for the past six years. Gómez started writing songs his senior year at OLLU. By 2019, he started to record his music in Monterrey, Mexico, at some of the best studios in Latin America. Since 2022, he's been performing throughout Mexico singing his original songs. "I've performed to crowds of more than 600 and opened for some of Latin America's most popular rock artists," Gómez said.

Gómez started his love of music as long as he can remember. "My dad would always have some cumbia music playing, and my grandpa was a recognized Mariachi player in Reynosa, so music has always been around me."

He joined band in middle school, and he started playing the tenor saxophone, and eventually, he became interested in rock, so he began learning to play other instruments.

"I learned how to play the drums using pencils and a chair. Then, I joined the Mariachi group in school, and I learned to play the guitar." In high school, he also learned to play the bass, and at OLLU during his junior year, he took piano classes to learn how to play.

"Music has always been part of me, and now I get to experience all of it with my daughter." Gómez's four-year-old daughter, Allison, was named after his favorite Mexican rock band from Mexico City. "She's my motivation to keep working hard and following my dreams. When I have the chance, I take her to my concerts all over Mexico; she has the music in her heart." Gómez's parents are also big fans and travel often to see him perform.

Gómez enjoys creating music and seeing how people from all over sing his songs at his concerts. "It's unreal and gets to me all the time – a song I wrote in my room is being sung by people who I don't know miles away from home. Never in a million years I thought I would be sharing a stage with my biggest idols growing up; it's a never-ending dream that came to life."

Gómez's Spanish rock/alternative/ballad music can be found under his artist name, "Jose Gómez."  Links to his music include: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FS0JQ5uQwlHTYavi8FnHA?si=Wxzn-wcXSI6YAfAX9dWBvQ * https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jos%C3%A9-%C3%A1ngel-g%C3%B3mez/1491119388 * https://youtube.com/@joseangelgomez?si=f_W784R0vveBDtx1 * https://www.instagram.com/josegomezmx?igsh=MXVyZmpnam56N2ZnNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr.

Gómez has not steered too far away from soccer after OLLU. He plays the sport four days a week in McAllen, Texas, and in Tamaulipas, Mexico, in various adult leagues.

OLLU prepares graduates to transform their communities, families and professions based on faith, wisdom and trust in Providence, José Gómez is just one of many student-athletes, who fit the mold of what being a "Saint" is all about. OLLU graduates are prepared for purposeful lives and service to humanity, and we congratulate José Gómez on his life's achievements.