KINGSVILLE, Texas — It started more than three decades ago with a simple question.
"I used to work with Frank's Electrical Service," said Silver Chapa, the shot-clock operator for Javelina Basketball. "He needed somebody, so he was working the scores table and asked me if I would be interested. I came and did it one time and I got hooked."
It was the same thing for George Delgado, the scoreboard operator for Javelina Basketball.
"After work I would come over here and work out, play basketball and play racquetball and I was sitting in that corner over there one time and they needed somebody to do the book, so I think it was Ruben called me over and ever since then, they don't let me go, I'm right here," said Delgado.
Delgado and Chapa are the dynamic duo behind the score desk.
"This is the off and on for the board and the horn," said Chapa, "so I keep that on my left hand and then the rest is right here."
"I was always trained, keep your hand or your thumb on the on and off switch. You hear the whistle, it's automatic. Instantly for me," said Delgado.
They've worked almost all women's and men's basketball game at the Steinke Physical Education Center for the last 30 years together.
"They come out every year, they have a routine," said the Javelina Men's Head Basketball Coach Johnny Estelle. "They come out about a week or a week-and-a-half before the first game and they do a test run every year to make sure things work. They might not think I don't notice that but for my nine years of being the head coach, I love that."
The two have seen some greats come full circle at Javelina Nation.
"We were here when Johnny played," Chapa said. "Coach Johnny was a player here, so we've seen him grow to a successful coach."
They take pride in their job and others notice.
"Those guys that show up every day with that level of commitment and pride, they are what inspires you as a young player. I don't know if they understand that because that's who they are, but for an alumnus that was on the other side almost 30 years ago, I can tell you, they have a profound meaning in my life," Estelle said.
The dynamic duo said they're here to stay.
"As long as they want us here and as long as my eyes are good, I'm going to continue," Chapa said.
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