Al Campo, Sr.

Pasadena High School • Class of 1958, 

Baseball Coach • Sam Rayburn HS, 

Football Coach South Houston HS

Al Campo's athletic journey began with two successful years in basketball at Pasadena, culminating in a flawless district season during his senior year. However, it was on the baseball diamond where he truly left his mark. Garnering all-district honors in both his junior and senior years, Campo showcased his prowess as a switch-hitter and leadoff batter, boasting an impressive .410 batting average in his junior year, propelling his team to the state semifinals.

His talent led him to the University of Houston, where he lettered for three years in baseball, excelling as a shortstop and achieving a remarkable .361 batting average in his senior year.

Transitioning into coaching, Campo took the reins of Sam Rayburn's junior varsity baseball team in the mid-1960s before ascending to the role of varsity baseball coach in 1974. Over his 12-year tenure, he guided the Texans through a challenging district, clinching championships in 1977, 1984, and his final season in 1985. In a memorable run, his 1985 squad made it all the way to the state tournament, marking the furthest advancement for a Pasadena ISD team besides Pasadena High. Despite falling short in the state title game, Campo's leadership earned him recognition as the All-Greater Houston coach of the year.

Following this pinnacle, Campo pursued a new direction, joining the coaching staff at Turner High School in Carrollton. However, his passion for Pasadena drew him back, serving as an assistant football coach under Dick Nance at South Houston High. In 2001, he assumed the role of head football coach for the Trojans until his retirement in 2006, leaving a lasting legacy.

In acknowledgment of his contributions, Campo was honored with induction into the Sam Rayburn Faculty Hall of Honor in 2016, a testament to his enduring impact on both the athletic and educational communities.