A college recruiting legend in South Texas is retiring, but he can’t quite stop talking about Central Methodist University.

Ben Lopez is 79 years old. He has helped more than 600 students from the Rio Grande Valley get their college education started. He has inspired them and their parents, nudged them and supported them. 

“I have absolutely loved it,” Lopez said. “It’s been a blessing having a role in helping young people reach their dreams.”

Lopez was hired by Dr. Joe Parisi, Vice President for enrollment management at Central, to launch a South Texas recruitment initiative for Central. Lopez succeeded.

He is a beloved treasure in the Rio Grand Valley, having been inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Hall of Fame and the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame, for his tireless efforts to help youth build a future. And he might not even be retiring now had it not been for his health.

Lopez who spent 33 years working in customer service for TWA, Ozark, and American Airlines before working his “retirement job” in higher education for 26 years, suffered a stroke last fall. He held off ideas of retirement before, but he is heeding the advice of his doctors this time.

So, he is handing over the recruitment reins to Amos and Mary Salas, a couple that knows Central well. Their daughter, Myah, is a sophomore at Central.

“Myah and so many of these kids remind me of my own son, Joe Lopez, who was my first recruit,” Lopez said. “He is now a school superintendent. He is a good example of having dreams and goals and reaching for the stars.”

Amos Salas is a special education teacher and football coach at Santa Maria ISD, and Mary Salas is a P.E. teacher and tennis coach at Rio Hondo. They’re already on the recruiting trail for Central.

Lopez has been mentoring them for some time, and they say they are ready for the challenge.

Lopez said he has been surrounded for many years by great individuals like the Salases who share the same ideal – doing all you can to help a young person reach for something better. He said some of those selfless people include: Parisi, Lonestar Bank President David Deanda, and Father Roy Snipes of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“The list could go on,” Lopez said. “This is a strong and supportive community, and I know they will continue to do the right thing and help build a promising future for kids.”

Just like the legendary Ben Lopez.