Coach Carson - 1938

Robert J. Carson (1900-1975) Bob Carson was born in Chicago, and moved to El Paso with his parents and siblings in the early 1900s. His father was employed as an accountant for various mining supply and railroad companies. By age 19, Carson himself was working as a clerk for the railroad. In 1925, Bob Carson was hired as the physical education teacher for the newly formed Cathedral High School. He served as head football and basketball coach; assisted in coaching boxing, swimming, and gymnastics; and was athletic director for the Community Center. With only 150 or so boys to work with during his 19 year career, he produced a solid football record, and between 1937-1942 won six out of seven state basketball tournaments. Undersized and often outmatched, his teams held their own against stronger and more experienced public school opponents, earning their name as the “fighting Irish.” Robert J. Carson BFSC, was described by brothers with whom he taught as an excellent role model for students. When he resigned in 1944 to take a better -paying job with the El Paso Public Schools he remained loyal to CHS. In gratitude for his service and continuing loyalty the brothers obtained a certificate of benefaction for him from their superior general's council in Rome dated Oct. 1 1956. They presented it to Coach Robert Carson on 14 Feb 1957.

Area: Central / El Paso High

Source: David J. Carrejo Ph.D

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History