Page 9 - City of El Centro :: Winter 2021 Community Newsletter

El Centro Little League Awards
• Little League - Manager of the Dodgers 1976-1978 • Babe Ruth - Manager of the Phillies 1979-1982
• 1980 and 1981, Manager of the El Centro National
• League for 14-15 year old’s All Stars team
Carlos Aguilar was born in Los Angeles and raised in Brawley. His mother (Lupe Fernandez Aguilar) was an ambitious woman and wanted more for her family, so she started her own business and became a successful realtor. It is believed that her drive to succeed also motivated Carlos. The Aguilar family was always considered to be thoughtful and generous and much loved in the community.
As an adult, Carlos had a passion for community children and back in the seventies and early eighties, he knew the Imperial Valley offered very little to keep kids busy. With crime and the use of drugs on the rise, Carlos was driven to give kids an opportunity to do better. He got involved with youth sports and his wife Lydia was by his side every step of the way. Carlos Aguilar passed away at the age of 54 in 1984 from pancreatic cancer. He and Lydia had four children: Sandra Tyson (Carlsbad, CA) , Carlos Aguilar, Jr (Clovis, CA) , Margaret Smith (Imperial, CA) and Steven Aguilar (San Diego, CA). His wife, Lydia is eighty-four and lives in El Centro.
There is no doubt that Carlos Aguilar was an important leader in the El Centro community, especially for the city’s youth and youth activities. As such, the City of El Centro has taken a proactive approach to keep the Carlos Aguilar Memorial Park thriving and in good condition. In 2019 the City invested more funds for new soccer fields, snack bar, restrooms, walking trail, parking lot and renovated playground equipment.
• 1978 “Man of the Year” and “Lifetime Voting Member of the Board of Directors”
• 1979 El Centro Babe Ruth League – “Mr. Indispensable”. • 1979 El Centro Babe Ruth and Little League – Trophy for fund raising efforts for youth baseball.
• 1981 El Centro Babe Ruth League – “Certificate of Appreciation” presented to Carlos and Lydia Aguilar for outstanding and dedicated service.
Tournament Activities
• 1979 Babe Ruth League
Southern California District 7 Tournament
• Tournament Committee Chairman • Tournament Director
• Program and Advertising Chairman
Coaching
1980 Southern California District 7 Tournament
• Publicity Chairman
1981 Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament
• Co-Chairman of Tournament Committee • Co-Headquarters Chairman
• Co-Programs and Advertising Chairman • Manager’s Representative
#WeAreElCentro
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