Rolando Alvarez

By Megan Chase

Rolando Alvarez is a native Texan from Jacksonville and is currently a junior at Stephen F. Austin State University. Alvarez’s passion is soccer and started playing at 8 years old and ever since has been addicted. He was considered the “cool” kid in high school because he made the varsity soccer team as a freshman.  “I walked around school with my varsity letterman’s jacket and everyone had mad respect for me.” He proceeded to make the varsity team every year after that. During his high school career his team won the district championship 3 times. His high school actually beat Nacogdoches High during the championship. Alvarez also had an amazing opportunity come to him his sophomore year. The summer before sophomore year, he traveled to Mexico for three months and played on a reserves team for the UANL professional soccer team. “It was different living in Mexico. I learned that it is a luxury to have a vehicle over there and people are much more happy there than in the United States.”

His love for soccer carried over into his college career as well. Alvarez’s first choice school was Stephen F. Austin, but since the school did not have a soccer team he made the decision to attend Tyler Junior College. Unfortunately, Alvarez did not make the Tyler soccer team, but still continued to play for fun.

After his soccer career came to a close, Alvarez picked up his old passion and talent . . . playing the drums. He picked up his first drumstick at the young age of twelve and his talent progressed every year. After arriving at TJC, Alvarez and a few friends started up a metal band. They were called Wolves Among Men. Alvarez was the lead drummer among two vocalists, a keyboard player, a bassist, and two guitarists. The band was a local hit around the Tyler area. They even recorded and produced an EP on iTunes. They became so popular that the band was asked to go on tour that spring. Unfortunately, Alvarez had spring classes and could not go with his band. He ended up resigning and his friend took his place as lead drummer.

Alvarez began to focus more on school after leaving his band. He finished up two years at TJC and received his associate’s degree. Starting his junior year of college, Alvarez transferred to Stephen F. Austin and began working toward his major, radio/tv.  He is hoping one day to be an accomplished camera operator/ technician.