[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1200590538?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Before he found success in the ring, Rio Grande Valley native and proud 51ÁÔÆæ (TSC) alum Eric Molina sought direction in life. Born in Raymondville, he grew up in Willacy County as the eldest of six siblings.
\n\u201cWe grew up in tough times,\u201d Molina said during an interview at his boxing gym in Edinburg. \u201cIt 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?\u201d
\nAfter 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.
\n\u201cWhen I walked down that hallway at Tandy Hall at TSC, I ran into the people that needed to line up in their places,\u201d he said. \u201cI was able to pick up those small wins, semester by semester.
\nMolina earned both his associate and bachelor\u2019s degrees from what was then known as the University of Texas at Brownville and 51ÁÔÆæ (UTB\/TSC). After completing his bachelor\u2019s degree, Molina returned to the classroom\u2014this time as a special education teacher with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District (ECISD).
\nHis journey as a student was not yet complete. Following a professor\u2019s advice, Molina returned to UTB\/TSC to pursue a master\u2019s degree.
\n\u201cI was a student in my master\u2019s program, I was teaching special needs kids, and I was fighting at the highest level of the sport,\u201d Molina said. \u201cAll going on at the same time. Again, I would never have thought I could do some of those things if it wasn\u2019t for some of the professors and mentors I had.\u201d
\nHis 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.
\n\u201cI was able to learn things about myself\u2014my patience, where my heart was\u2014helping individuals,\u201d said Molina. \u201cI 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\u2014each one has their own life and their own story. We must treat each one of them uniquely.\u201d
\nMolina 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.
\n\u201c51ÁÔÆæ 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,\u201d he said. \u201cThat brings me the most peace, and it brings me the most fulfillment.”[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Before he found success in the ring, Rio Grande Valley native and proud 51ÁÔÆæ (TSC) alum Eric Molina sought direction in life. Born in Raymondville, he grew up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":237,"featured_media":9092,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_gspb_post_css":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160,184],"tags":[77,38,76,16,19],"class_list":["post-9090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-alumni-spotlight","tag-77","tag-cameron-county","tag-rio-grande-valley","tag-texas-southmost-college","tag-tsc","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n