William J. Groogan

WILLIAM JEROME GROOGANWilliam J. Groogan, remarkable coach, prolific mentor, gifted athlete, extraordinary friend, husband, and father, passed from this world to the next on July 30, 2022. He was 86.Born and reared in Chicago, Illinois, Bill Groogan spent every spare moment of his youth on sandlot fields or make-shift basketball courts honing his considerable talent and soaking up the pure thrill of intense competition. His love of sports, particularly basketball, remained at the core of his being throughout his long and meaningful life. Named “All-City” in Chicago while leading his Thornton High School squad deep into the Illinois State playoffs, Bill rejected multiple scholarship offers from well-known northern colleges to follow his family to Texas.Previously unknown to the coaches at the University of Texas, Bill showed up at Gregory Gym as a walk on. After a single week of workouts, he was awarded a full scholarship and went on to letter three years as a Longhorn. While at Texas, Bill was deeply fortunate to find the love of his life Austin native, Shereen West. The two married in 1958, soon sharing their love and devotion with children Greg, Kathryn, Kenneth, and Elizabeth. Immediately after graduation, Bill served the nation in the United States Army, playing both basketball and baseball for elite squads, which included multiple major leaguers. Upon honorable discharge from the Army, Bill began what would prove a nomadic and ultimately legendary coaching career, guiding squads in Del Valley, Gatesville and Mission before transitioning to the position of principal at both Mission High School and Los Fresnos High School after earning his master’s degree in Education from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University).In time, the lure of his life passion would prove too great and in 1976 Bill returned to coaching, first in Devine with his longtime friends and colleagues Gene Sharp, Bill Murphy and Rick Brazell and three years later at J.W. Nixon High School, where the man later graciously dubbed “the Godfather” of modern Laredo Basketball would generate a transformative style of play and the rewarding dividend of multiple district championships and play-off appearances. Simply put, Bill Groogan crafted an aggressive, high-pressure scheme of hoops, which accentuated the strengths of Laredo players – their quickness, their selflessness, their relentlessness, and their commitment to being part of an effort bigger than just themselves. When coupled with the personal discipline, work ethic and respect expected by Laredo parents of their sons, the formula proved nothing short of magical on the court. As one astonished observer remarked, “It’s like watching a mind blurring work of art on the hardwood.” Archie Ramos, Bill’s first point guard at Nixon would eventually become his first assistant, protégé, successor and abiding source of tremendous pride over three decades of unprecedented success.It was during the Nixon years that Bill, and the Mustangs traveled north to Calgary, Canada at the invitation of Alberta coaching legend, Gary Deman. The excellence of the resulting competition was exceeded only by the invaluable relationships built, many of which have stood the test of time. Bill’s nomadic nature would re-emerge in the 90’s with relocation to Wenatchee, Washington where retirement proved short lived and the honor of “Central Washington Girls Coach of the Year” soon followed. Bill’s love of Texas brought him back to JW Nixon courts as an assistant to Archie Ramos and then as an assistant to Mark Garcia at JB Alexander. He loved the opportunity to coach alongside his former players. It was a call from his good friend Okie Villasenor that took him to the Valley where he would lead the La Joya Basketball program, eventually racking up yet another District title. During this time, he had the unique privilege of coaching his grandson, Matt. Inevitably, the Groogan Era, spanning a half century, would come to a close in the community he and Shereen affectionately called “home.” He would follow Okie back to Laredo for his final coaching stint, leading the LBJ wolves to post-season play.Perhaps Bill Groogan’s deepest personal satisfaction came in the years after “laying down his whistle.” Welcomed with open arms at literally every Laredo courtside, he relished the intensity of local hoops competition and the respect and affection extended by the coaching community, many of whom sought and made good use of his wise counsel. Special thanks to Pete Solis Jr. who provided a special seat in the house for Bill at Nixon basketball home games.The naming in his honor of the newly constructed court at J.W. Nixon High School warmed his heart with an immense and humbling sense of gratitude. Aside from sports, Bill drew enormous joy in laughter-filled conversation with a legion of friends and beloved family. An avid traveler and reader, beach trips to South Padre and multiple excursions with coaches and former players to the NCAA March Madness tournament generated a mountain of priceless memories. Any discussion of Bill Groogan is incomplete without homage paid to his life partner of 64 years, Shereen. Through countless relocations, crushing setbacks, and exhilarating victories she remained his constant, his touchstone, his constructive critic, and always, his largest and most loyal fan.He loved her with all his heart, even when they lost their “Inter-galactic Domino” championship to “adopted” son Rick Brazell and son-in-law Jerry Gonzalez.Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Bill Groogan considered himself a truly wealthy man. Not in the traditional sense, but by a measure with infinitely more meaning. Bill’s treasure was built on the countless young lives he was fortunate to touch and guide.He anguished in their setbacks. He reveled in their successes. He loved them… and they loved him back. William J. Groogan is survived by his wife Shereen, his son Greg and daughters Kathryn and Elizabeth, his sisters, Phyliss Richard, and Joyce Anderson along with five granddaughters, five grandsons, three great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.He is preceded in death by his father John Francis Groogan, Mother Wilma Christensen Groogan, brother Jack Groogan and son Kenneth Groogan.The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to St. Jude Hospice Care for their care and support of Bill in his final stage of life.

A mass in celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at San Martin de Porres at 9:30 AM.In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Bill’s memory to the organization Tunnel to Towers Foundation at Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.