In 1974, when Joe Porras was just 22-years-old, he took up an offer to work at Lowrey Field. Alongside his wife, the young couple moved to Lubbock from El Paso to begin a new life together.

Now, in 2017, he and his family still live here in Lubbock, and he continues to proudly work at now Plains Capital Park at Lowrey as the field’s facilitator, game and warehouse manager. 

“People keep telling me ‘you’re working too much, are you getting tired?’ No, as long as I keep going, I’ll be okay,” said Porras, who proves at 65, there is nothing that is slowing him down. 

Porras gave us an inside look as to what just one day looks like inside what he calls a year-long operation as it hosts not only football games, but soccer and track meets as well. 

“The teams kinda stay late, so my Thursdays are usually from about 8 o’clock to midnight. Thursdays and Fridays,” explained Porras. 

On Thursdays, he receives jerseys and supplies for the coaches from Cardinal’s Sports Center and organizes them all in his warehouse. From there, he gets everything ready for the media luncheon by setting out tables and stocking the fridge.

Then it’s time to get the field game day ready, which not only means making sure the field looks great, but also making certain that the players, all coaching staff, referees and fans are all taken care of. 

“I greet them all, I make sure to shake hands, give them a hug and tell them how glad I am that they’re here,” said Porras. “I make sure I have it ready so they don’t have to ask.”

So if you’ve been out to Lowrey field, you’ve probably met Porras once or twice without even realizing. If not him, you may have also met his family. 
 
“I like to include my family. My wife sells tickets, my daughter picks up the tickets,” said Porras. “My grandkids come and help out at the warehouse too by counting shirts.” 
 
Known by his coworkers and friends as someone with a positive attitude, you might have never guessed that his family lost their home to a fire over the summer, displacing him, his wife, daughter, son and four grandchildren. 
 
“My niece called me up from Boston and said, ‘I wish we were there to help you,’ and my sister told her, ‘Don’t worry about Joe he has a lot of friends,'” said Porras. “I’ve had a lot of people tell me anything you need, give us a call, we’d be happy to help you. It’s been a hassle, trying tot take care of that and this,  but as one of my custodians say you’re always busy you never stop. Well if I stop, I get lazy.” 
 
Some good news for the Porras family however, they will be able to move back into their newly repaired and renovated home either the upcoming January or February. 
 
When Porras is not out at the field, he keeps busy with some tutoring and also as head usher of his church, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church. He says it’s thanks to an organized schedule and a simple life motto that he’s able to get everything done.
 
“My motto God is good. God is good. He provided us with a house, He took care of us, no one got hurt in the fire. He’s allowed me to work.” 
 
Although a busy body, Porras says to never hesitate coming up to him at the games to say hi. 
 
“I’m a people person, I love to be around people I like to see expressions I like to chat with people. It’s not about the money, it’s the experience.”