AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas community gathered on Monday to say goodbye to one of college baseball's most revered coaches, Augie Garrido.
A fixture in college baseball for almost 50 years, Garrido spent his last 20 seasons at the University of Texas at Austin. He died last month at the age of 79. Garrido is revered as one of best college baseball coaches of all time.
"He called you at the birth of a child. It wasn't about winning championships. Like he said, 'This is not about me.' It was never about him, which was so beautiful. It was never about getting his name anywhere. He cared," said Huston Street, one of Garrido's former players.
In his 48 years as a college coach, he led his teams to 1,975 wins, the most in college baseball.
"He's one of the untouchables, I would say. Coaches have some big shoes to fill and I'm sure they look forward to trying to fulfill those," said J.B. Cox, who played for Garrido between 2003 and 2005.
Cox admits it's a sad day, but he said the memorial is a celebration of Garrido's life far beyond the impressive statistics.
"Coach would always say he never would hold a trophy because it was not about him. He doesn't really care about his records. He cares about the improvements and changes he made in all the young kids' lives and how he groomed us to be the young men we became,” said Cox.
Garrido's family, friends, former players, and admirers filled the Frank Erwin Center with bittersweet memories of his humor, determination, and excitement for the diamond.
"He took a game and he taught us all so many lessons off of that game that he loved so much," said friend and former Texas Head Football Coach, Mack Brown.
From all accounts, Garrido's influence will reverberate beyond the game of baseball.
"This legend will live on forever. He's the 'winningest' coach in college baseball," said Glenn West, who knew Garrido and is a season ticket holder.
Garrido's family asks if anyone wants to give back in Augie's honor, donate to UT's Neighborhood Longhorns Program, which helps less fortunate children with their college-education.