Dr. Sylvester Perez​

Dr. Sylvester Perez graduated from Harlandale High School in 1967. He chose to attend and play baseball for Wharton Junior College, before dropping out after just one semester. Perez did not allow this setback to derail him however, as he chose to enroll in St. Philip’s College, a historically black college in San Antonio. The next year, his commitment paid off, as he earned himself a baseball scholarship to New Mexico Highlands University. There, he shined, being named an NAIA All-American and setting a home run record that stood for almost 30 years. He also later earned his doctorate in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University.​

After graduating from NMHU in 1972, Perez began coaching baseball at a junior high school in Lubbock. In 1974, he was hired as head baseball coach at Taos High School in New Mexico. His permanent return to Texas came in 1974 when he took the same job at his alma mater, Harlandale. Before retiring as a coach in 1985, Perez coached McArthur, Madison, and Judson to district championships. Over his 10-year career, he held a record of 183-95. ​

In 1985, Perez turned to school administration, where he enjoyed a long, successful career. All before earning his doctorate in Educational Administration from Texas A&M in 1995, he was a superintendent, teacher, coach, athletic director, principle, and assistant principle. In 2012, after the superintendent of San Antonio ISD resigned Perez was brought on in an interim role, before taking up the post officially until 2015 when he retired to care for his parents. In 2016, he came out of retirement as interim superintendent of Edgewood ISD, where he had a very short stint before retiring a second time.​