The Apache Pow Wow

In a small town in South Texas Coach Aaron Bonds tries to motivate athletes that there is life outside of Agua Dulce, Texas.

Bonds. an athlete himself, graduated from TJC in 1970 and played on the 1969 Championship Football team.

"What I try to do is get the kids to understand that even though you might have been raised in Agua Dulce doesn't mean that you have to stay here," said Bonds.

Bonds was born in Alice, Texas and attended William Adams High School.

"In Alice, Texas there is 75 percent Hispanic, 10 percent Anglo and 5 percent African-American, Life is very simple here, At the time we didn't even have a black radio station," said Bonds.

The daily routine for Bonds back in high school was to get up early, go jogging, come back home, eat a hearty breakfast and walk to school. After a day of academics and athletic practice, Bonds would set down with his sibling and single mother to eat dinner.

"We would ask how each other's day went and have general conversation," said Bonds.

Bonds was recruited to TJC for the 1969 football season. When he came to TJC it was a little different.

"Living in Alice, Texas it was a little different, I used to match my yellow socks with my yellow shirts, and in Tyler African-Americans don't do that," said Bonds. "There was only five African-Americans on the time at that time, three from Beaumont and one from Troup."

While at TJC, Bonds majored in Business Administrations and he credits one teacher for being his mother away from home.

"Emma Prather pretty much took all the African American student under her arms and helped us out. She would even take us home for dinner," said Bonds.

Bonds graduated from TJC and was recruited to play football at the University of North Texas. While at UNT, Bonds did more than studying and football, he meet his other half. Rogenia Means, an occupational therapist, met Bonds at a campus party.

"I didn't know who he was but he was real talkative and real friendly," said Rogenia.

When Rogenia returned to her dorm she called a friend at UNT to inquire about Bonds' reputation. He was found to be a very quite and studious young man who didn't do a lot of hanging out.

After graduating from North Texas in 1972, Bonds and his wife packed up their bags and moved to Alexandria, Va., where Bonds started his professional career as a postal branch manager of the Army-Air Force Exchange Services. Bonds lived in Virginia for two years before moving back to Texas and working for John Deere Co. in Dallas and the Houston Chronicle.

"The money was good but it wasn't what I really wanted to do," said Bonds.

In 1985, Bonds moved back to Alice and coached football, baseball, basketball, and track for various school districts throughout South Texas

"I believe that every child should have a chance in a bright future and I want to help to make sure that happens," said Bonds.

The A and B College Exposure Programs cater to small South Texas high school to help student athletes find scholarships.

Bonds named the program after his two children. Ashlea Bonds who attended the University of New Haven, Conn. on a volley ball scholarship and made Honorable Mention All-American her senior year. Ashlea graduated with a degree in Business Communication and lives in New York City. Brandon Bonds attended Baylor University and graduated from Abilene Christian University on a football scholarship with a degree in Business-Finance. Brandon made Honorable Mention all Lone Star Conference in 1998 and Second Team Defensive Back in 1999.

Bonds holds numerous awards for his service to the community and students. He was awarded the Special Recognition Award from TJC in 2002.

"When I came to receive my award from TJC, I spoke about the three P's, pride, perseverance and the pursuit of happiness," said Bonds.

Bonds credits God for all his success in life.

"When you put God first, and your family second, you don't have to worry about anything else because the rest will fall in order," said Bonds.

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