Leaving a Lasting Legacy

On May 19, the Belen Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place. This was the eighth class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The five inductees from this class included Andrés de Angulo ’93, Gabriel Hernández ’04, Guillermo Echarte ’08, José E. Roca ’84 and Vince Fernández. These men were chosen based on their playing ability, coaching ability, sportsmanship, character and their contribution to their team or the game. “Just to think that I am back here at Belen, 15 years later, being inducted into the Hall of Fame is surreal,” said Gabriel Hernández. Hernández was the first baseball player from Belen Jesuit drafted into the MLB in the third round by the New York Mets. He was also the Miami Herald Baseball Player of the Year in 2003, and was the ace on the 2003 baseball team which made it to the state championship.

 

The ceremony took place in the Cosculluela Hall where family and friends of the inductees gathered to share in this event. The inductees were given their jackets and gave emotional speeches on how they got to this moment. The inductees then made their way to the varsity sports banquet where they were presented with their plaques in front of the student-athletes. The plaques will be hung for the next year in the gym lobby.

 

Guillermo Echarte, one of the inductees, attributed his induction to his coaches and teammates who helped him become the person he is today. “I am frankly emotional as it makes me think of all of the hard work my teammates and I put in together as one team and the sacrifices our coaches made every day. My teammates and coaches are largely responsible for instilling my values and beliefs today, and that is ultimately what I am so grateful for.” Echarte was a four-year letterman of the cross country and track and field teams, Miami Herald Athlete of the Year, a two-time state champion in cross country and a member of the 2007 team state championship in track and field.

 

Andrés de Angulo was also inducted for his excellence in the pool as a swimmer. De Angulo was a six-year varsity letterman in swimming, a four time Miami Herald All Dade First Team, former school record holder of the 50-meter freestyle and three-time high school All-American. He will also be replacing Mr. Thomas de Quesada as the new Dean of Men next year.

 

Another person inducted into the Belen Sports Hall of Fame was José E. Roca ’84. He was inducted for his 19 seasons of coaching basketball at Belen. In his years coaching the varsity basketball team, Roca won two district championships, had eight 20+ winning seasons and retired from coaching in 2016 as the all-time winningest basketball coach in Belen history with 341 wins.

 

Vince Fernández was the only member of this class who did not graduate from Belen. However, anyone who met him would say he was everything someone who embodied what a true Man for Others was. He was a family man who loved his two children, Anthony ’06 and Nicole, dearly, and his longtime girlfriend Debbie and her family. He dedicated his life to serving the Belen community as a father, coach, founder of the Fastbreak Club, substitute teacher and Director of Basketball Operations. He impacted the lives of so many students, athletes, parents, colleagues, basically anyone who ever met him because he was such a positive person. “He provided all Belen basketball players with memories to last a lifetime. I am truly humbled and grateful to the Belen community, which I call my family, for inducting my father into the Belen Sports Hall of Fame” said Anthony Fernández, son of Vince. Although Vince passed away earlier this year, the legacy he left for the Belen community will live forever.

 

“The Alumni Association is proud to host this wonderful event,” said Alumni Association Executive Director Carlos Bravo ’86. “The Belen Hall of Fame is an excellent venue to honor former athletes that excelled in their sport and the people who helped coach them. Thank you to everyone who voted and took part in selecting this year’s inductees.”

 

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