Cathedral Alumni Association working to rescind Lou Holtz invitation

The Cathedral High School Alumni Association is working to rescind the invitation sent to legendary college football coach Lou Holtz.

“It’s been a distraction,” said David Saucedo II, a member of the alumni association, which invited Holtz to speak on October 20th at the school’s 90th Anniversary Gala.

The goal of the gala is to help the private school raise money for scholarships that will benefit students on both sides of border.

Holtz, a former Notre Dame football coach who endorsed Donald Trump, recently drew criticism for comments he made regarding immigrants. “I don’t want to become you. I don’t want to speak your language. I don’t want to celebrate your holidays. I sure as hell don’t want to cheer for your soccer team,” Holtz said.

Saucedo II told ABC-7 the alumni association does not condone or endorse those comments. “We’re not a political group,” he said.

Earlier this week, the El Paso Times published an editorial criticizing Cathedral High School leaders for inviting Holtz to speak at its gala. “Holtz, a former coach at Notre Dame, last month lobbed hate-filled rhetoric at immigrants, who happen to be a major part of Cathedral’s historic mission. The school welcomes students from both El Paso and Juarez,” the El Paso Times Editorial Board stated.

Holtz has since apologized for mentioning holidays and soccer, but maintains immigrants need to assimilate with American culture.

“Since his comments, even some of our potential sponsors started walking back their sponsorships,” Saucedo II said, “So we decided ‘You know what, it’s not about us. It’s definitely not about Lou Holtz. It’s about Cathedral and the boys.'”

Brother Nick Gonzalez, president of the school, declined to comment on the situation.