 He had previously served as the rector of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (UAT), between 1991 and 2003.Oddly, Filizola had a short-lived career as a professional football player for Correcaminos, the team representing the university of which he was the incumbent rector.On the last matchday of the 1993–94 Mexican Primera División season, he appeared for 29 minutes against Club América before being substituted.