Coastal Bend Native CJ DeLaGarza Brings 20 Years of Sports Medicine Experience
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Corpus Christi IceRays are proud to announce a new partnership with Texas Elite Athletic Training, which will serve as the team’s Official Athletic Training Provider beginning with the upcoming season.
Led by CEO and Founder CJ DeLaGarza, Texas Elite Athletic Training brings decades of elite-level sports medicine experience to the IceRays organization, reinforcing the club’s commitment to providing its players with exceptional healthcare, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance support throughout the season.
“As LaneFrost once said. Don’t be afraid to go after what you want to do, and what you want to be, said DeLaGarza.” “But don’t be afraid to be willing to pay the price…The IceRays players will be trained both physically and mentally under this mindset. We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership!”
A Corpus Christi native and 1995 graduate of Moody High School, DeLaGarza earned his Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Over a career spanning more than 20 years, he has built an impressive résumé working with professional and elite athletes across multiple sports.
Following graduation, DeLaGarza began his professional career as an athletic training intern with the Atlanta Braves before continuing his work in the Rio Grande Valley. He later spent two seasons (2008–09) with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, providing athletic training services at the professional level. Since 2010, he has served as an associate member of Justin Sports Medicine, helping care for rodeo athletes across the country, and from 2011 through 2020 worked with the Olympic Development Soccer Program, supporting the health and development of many of the nation’s top young soccer players.
Today, DeLaGarza leads Texas Elite Athletic Training, an organization dedicated to delivering comprehensive sports medicine services focused on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization for athletes of all ages and competitive levels.
The IceRays are thrilled to partner with CJ and the Texas Elite Athletic Training group for all our trainer needs and who will be called upon to keep our Athletes healthy, on the ice and prepared for battle as we make a run for a championship,” said IceRays COO George Manias. “CJ and his team are an essential part of our team as we strive to get better each and every day as a team and organization.”
The partnership reflects the IceRays continued investment in player health, wellness, and performance, ensuring athletes receive professional-level sports medicine services both on and off the ice.
About Corpus Christi IceRays: The Corpus Christi IceRays, a member of the North American Hockey League playing out of the Hilliard Center in downtown Corpus Christi, TX. For more information or for all your ticketing needs, contact the IceRays Front Office at (361)-814-PUCK or visit www.GoIceRays.com . You can also follow the team through their social media platforms: Facebook @goicerays, Instagram @iceraysnahl, and Twitter @iceraysnahl
About North American Hockey League: Celebrating its 50th season in 2024-25, the NAHL, the only USA Hockey sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 35 teams in 20 states from North American. For more information, visit the NAHL website at https://nahl.com/
About Hilliard Center
Hilliard Center is Corpus Christi’s premier entertainment and event complex, proudly owned by the City of Corpus Christi and managed by Oak View Group. Named in partnership with Hilliard Law, a firm dedicated to service and community, the waterfront venue features a state-of-the-art arena, the historic Selena Auditorium, and a versatile convention center overlooking the scenic Corpus Christi Bay. With adaptable spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and premium food and beverage offerings, Hilliard Center is designed to deliver exceptional experiences as South Texas’ home for live entertainment, conventions, and community gatherings.
Visit HilliardCenter.com and follow the Hilliard Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest news and event updates.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the Company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
