The Mexicano Trailblazers of Brownwood award will be presented to three Andrade brothers, Daniel, Bennie, and Johnny (Juan) for their contributions to Brownwood sports, especially boxing. They were the first brothers to win three Regional Golden Gloves Championships in three classes, in the same year (1965), and in the same tournament (Brownwood).
Boxing was Brownwood’s favorite wintertime sport for many years. Bennie was the classiest, hardest hitting, and best boxer in Central Texas. Daniel had a more traditional style and retired undefeated. Johnny had the shortest championship fight in Brownwood boxing history, knocking out his opponent in 29 seconds of the 1st round, including the 10-count!
Bennie graduated Howard Payne and became a beloved Spanish teacher. Throughout his 41-year career he enjoyed the shout outs from students during their commencement speeches. He taught in 10 school districts including Brownwood, Bangs, Santa Anna, and Comanche In the immediate vicinity.
Daniel graduated Howard Payne and Trinity University, served in the United States Army and in the Windcrest City Council. A dedicated servant leader, he opened health clinics in underserved communities in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, New Mexico, and Texas. He was an administrator at Beeville Memorial and Lutheran General hospitals. As a nursing home administrator in San Antonio and Central Texas, he helped nursing homes improve efficiency and deliver higher quality care to their patients and residents. Later in his career he opened his own insurance company.
Johnny earned five college degrees including three Master’s and a doctorate. He received six honorary doctorates and three distinguished alumnus awards. He is the 4th Hispanic in history to be decorated by both the President of the United States and the Government of Mexico. He is the only Hispanic leader to head a national organization while working in major media as a television and radio commentator, and columnist. He worked with a State Department program promoting democracy in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay, Guyana, Suriname, and Haiti during the administration of George H.W. Bush. He worked 10 years organizing communities, passing legislation, and preparing himself for his life’s work. In 1982, he co-founded the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute to help empower the Hispanic community, registering 2.3 million new voters, training 1.1 million present and future leaders, publishing 425 studies and the Almanac of Latino Politics, sponsoring the largest Hispanic leadership conference in the nation, and awarding $1.5 million in scholarships and internships to Hispanic students.