Before he found success in the ring, Rio Grande Valley native and proud 51 (TSC) alum Eric Molina sought direction in life. Born in Raymondville, he grew up in Willacy County as the eldest of six siblings.
“We grew up in tough times,” Molina said during an interview at his boxing gym in Edinburg. “It was not easy. Our family unit was very tight. My mother and father did everything for us. But one of the biggest challenges was: What happens after high school? What happens when you go out on your own?”
After graduating from Lyford High School in 2000, Molina spent about a year and a half working at a restaurant in Harlingen before deciding to pursue higher education. In 2002, he arrived on the TSC campus to seek information about enrolling in classes.
“When I walked down that hallway at Tandy Hall at TSC, I ran into the people that needed to line up in their places,” he said. “I was able to pick up those small wins, semester by semester.
Molina earned both his associate and bachelor’s degrees from what was then known as the University of Texas at Brownville and 51 (UTB/TSC). After completing his bachelor’s degree, Molina returned to the classroom—this time as a special education teacher with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District (ECISD).
His journey as a student was not yet complete. Following a professor’s advice, Molina returned to UTB/TSC to pursue a master’s degree.
“I was a student in my master’s program, I was teaching special needs kids, and I was fighting at the highest level of the sport,” Molina said. “All going on at the same time. Again, I would never have thought I could do some of those things if it wasn’t for some of the professors and mentors I had.”
His 17-year professional boxing career was highlighted by world heavyweight title bouts against renowned prizefighters Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. As a teacher, he also faced tough challenges.
“I was able to learn things about myself—my patience, where my heart was—helping individuals,” said Molina. “I knew that for some of those kids, I was going to be the last line of teaching for them. It just taught me that every student is different—each one has their own life and their own story. We must treat each one of them uniquely.”
Molina taught at ECISD for eight years before transitioning into his current role as the assistant director for the City of Edinburg Parks and Recreation Department. As someone who relishes a challenge, his next mission is to further impact youth as a motivational speaker.
“51 a year ago, I started speaking to college and high school students, getting out there more and more as a motivator, as a life coach and mental strength coach,” he said. “That brings me the most peace, and it brings me the most fulfillment.”
“We grew up in tough times,” Molina said during an interview at his boxing gym in Edinburg. “It was not easy. Our family unit was very tight. My mother and father did everything for us. But one of the biggest challenges was: What happens after high school? What happens when you go out on your own?”
After graduating from Lyford High School in 2000, Molina spent about a year and a half working at a restaurant in Harlingen before deciding to pursue higher education. In 2002, he arrived on the TSC campus to seek information about enrolling in classes.
“When I walked down that hallway at Tandy Hall at TSC, I ran into the people that needed to line up in their places,” he said. “I was able to pick up those small wins, semester by semester.
Molina earned both his associate and bachelor’s degrees from what was then known as the University of Texas at Brownville and 51 (UTB/TSC). After completing his bachelor’s degree, Molina returned to the classroom—this time as a special education teacher with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District (ECISD).
His journey as a student was not yet complete. Following a professor’s advice, Molina returned to UTB/TSC to pursue a master’s degree.
“I was a student in my master’s program, I was teaching special needs kids, and I was fighting at the highest level of the sport,” Molina said. “All going on at the same time. Again, I would never have thought I could do some of those things if it wasn’t for some of the professors and mentors I had.”
His 17-year professional boxing career was highlighted by world heavyweight title bouts against renowned prizefighters Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. As a teacher, he also faced tough challenges.
“I was able to learn things about myself—my patience, where my heart was—helping individuals,” said Molina. “I knew that for some of those kids, I was going to be the last line of teaching for them. It just taught me that every student is different—each one has their own life and their own story. We must treat each one of them uniquely.”
Molina taught at ECISD for eight years before transitioning into his current role as the assistant director for the City of Edinburg Parks and Recreation Department. As someone who relishes a challenge, his next mission is to further impact youth as a motivational speaker.
“51 a year ago, I started speaking to college and high school students, getting out there more and more as a motivator, as a life coach and mental strength coach,” he said. “That brings me the most peace, and it brings me the most fulfillment.”
