Judson athletic director Sterling Jeter was released from the hospital Tuesday after suffering a mild heart attack early last Saturday and having angioplasty surgery.

Jeter, 67, said he started to feel ill late Friday night after going home following the South San-Wagner football game at Rutledge Stadium.

"I woke up after I went to bed and thought it was indigestion," Jeter said.

He was driven to the emergency room at Northeast Methodist Hospital by his wife, MaryAnn, when his chest pains persisted. Jeter said he went into surgery at about 2 a.m. Saturday and had two stents inserted to open two blocked arteries

Jeter, athletic director of the Judson Independent School District since 2005, said he has an appointment with his cardiologist Monday and doesn't know when he would return to work.

"About all they've told me is that my heart has very minor damage," Jeter said.

Former Judson head football coach D.W. Rutledge hired Jeter in 1984 after he succeeded Frank Arnold, and promoted him to offensive coordinator in 1988. Jeter remained on the Rockets' staff in that capacity until he was named athletic director following Arnold's retirement.

Jeter said he has received numerous get-well phone calls and cards from people throughout the San Antonio area and beyond. Judson head football coach Jim Rackley, who had quintuple bypass surgery in April 2008, visited Jeter on Thursday night.

"I told Jim it's a shame I had to get to sick to have a chance to visit with so many great friends I've known for so long," Jeter said Friday, chuckling. "I'm so grateful for all the support I've gotten."

An Odessa native, Jeter was an assistant coach at Katy High School for one year before going to Judson. He started his coaching career at San Marcos Baptist Academy in 1965 after graduating from Southwest Texas State, and later was head football coach at New Braunfels Canyon.

Rackley, who succeeded Rutledge as head coach in 2001, and Jeter coached together for 16 seasons.

"He's a man of tremendous integrity," Rackley said. "Sterling has a strong faith in the Lord and he lives that faith. He's a very humble man, a salt-of-the-earth guy who is a true-blue friend for life."

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