(San Antonio • March 9, 2026) The San Antonio Spurs posthumously honored IDRA President Emerita Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel with its Leaders & Legacies Award for her unwavering commitment to education. The award recognizes community leaders who exhibit extraordinary leadership in San Antonio where we live, learn, work and play.
The Spurs celebrate Dr. Robledo Montecel’s lifetime of inspiring others to see the promise of every child and to remove barriers to success through educational access. A national leader and advocate of public education, Dr. Robledo Montecel positively impacted the lives of millions of students, families and educators as President & CEO of IDRA, a national non-profit based in San Antonio dedicated to equal educational opportunity for all students. Dr. Robledo Montecel served in that role for 26 years until her retirement in January 2019 when she became IDRA’s President Emerita. She passed away on August 5, 2025.
“There are few organizations like IDRA that advocate for young people from the classroom to the policy level, ensuring that students, families and educators all have a voice in shaping the future of education,” said Patricia Mejia, Spurs Chief Impact and Inclusion Officer. “For nearly 50 years, Dr. María ‘Cuca’ Robledo Montecel helped lead that mission with courage and conviction, championing the belief that every child is valuable and deserving of opportunity.
“We are reminded that women like Cuca paved the way for future generations to imagine bigger possibilities and continue the pursuit for education that uplifts every child,” said Mejia.
During the game on March 8, the Spurs honored Dr. Robledo Montecel’s family in celebration of Women’s History Month. The Spurs is also making a $10,000 grant to IDRA in honor of Dr. Robledo Montecel’s legacy.
“IDRA thanks the Spurs for celebrating the profound impact that our beloved Dr. Cuca Robledo Montecel has had on the San Antonio community, and especially its children,” said IDRA President & CEO Celina Moreno, J.D. “She dedicated her life to the belief that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, is valuable and can succeed – a mantra we carry forward at IDRA today.”
IDRA and the Spurs collaborate to promote educational opportunity through the Alamo STEM Ecosystem, which IDRA co-leads, bringing together students, educators, community leaders and industry partners to build the STEM education and career pipelines that make San Antonio stronger.
