Gilbert Cordova named 2016 UHSAA Super Fan

Friday, Apr. 22, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — Gilbert Cordova, Judge Memorial Catholic High School Class of 1956, has been named the 2015-2016 “Super Fan” by the Utah High School Activities Association.

The award is given to those who have “showed extreme longevity in supporting high school activities through attendance at tournaments,” according to the nomination form; the award was created almost 20 years ago.

“I think it’s important for parents, teachers and the administration to support the students when they participate in plays, music programs, dance recitals and other activities in addition to the sporting events,” said Cordova, who was an outstanding student-athlete at Judge Memorial CHS.

In 1964, he began teaching history and coaching at his alma mater, earning state football championships in 1970, 1972 and 1973. His sons, Anthony Cordova, Class of 1985, and James, Class of 1988, were also multi-sport student athletes at Judge; their father attended all of their sporting events and has been a constant presence on the sidelines since James began as head coach of the Bulldogs. 

“My father was the football coach, but we also played basketball, baseball and I also ran track; not a lot of parents go to track meets, but he was at every one,” said James Cordova. “We were always encouraged to be involved. He would never interfere with the coaches, but after a game he would bring up something we could focus on. He has a master’s degree in sports psychology and that is a huge part of how he coaches.”

Cordova was a tough disciplinarian, but all the guys that played for him knew that he believed in them and had faith in their abilities, James said. “My brother and I grew up with that same implicit faith; it wasn’t a question of whether or not we could do it, it was that he had a better way. He believes in Judge Memorial and what we are all about.”

Gilbert and James Cordova are the only father-son pair in Utah to win state football titles at the same school, which also was their alma mater.

According to the Judge Memorial CHS website, Cordova now has what he calls the “incredible privilege” of supporting his grandchildren and a third generation of Judge Bulldogs. 

Three of his grandchildren are quoted on the website:

Andreas Cordova, Class of 2017, said his grandfather expects him to “give it my all, whatever I am involved with. He is a great role model and gives me advice on a lot of things – school, sports, life. He is always broadening my knowledge of life in general.” 

Sophia Cordova, Class of 2018, said she can’t think of anything important she has ever done in her life where her grandfather wasn’t present, she said. “He is always positive and always supportive, not just of me, but of my entire team,” she said. 

Ellie Cordova, also of the Class of 2017, said her grandfather “is very passionate about everything, certainly about sports, but mostly about learning. … He will call us and ask questions about strategy and game plans.” 

Cordova became a sports fan while growing up during the Depression and “right after that World War II started,” he said in an interview. “There weren’t a lot of activities. I grew up both in Salt Lake and Bingham watching baseball games, both kids playing and American Legion games at Dirks Field in Salt Lake; it was part of the lifestyle. I lived near Dirk’s Field and we would stand outside and wait for foul balls to come over the fence so we could get in free.” 

There was no such thing as Little League then, Cordova said. “The older kids in the neighborhood were my mentors who taught me the skills of the sports and socialization skills; it was a way of keeping everyone involved no matter what their abilities were. It helped me in my coaching career to keep kids involved; even though they may not have all the skills needed to be a starter, there was some way for them to get some playing time.”