2014 Mansfield ISD National Signing Day

Mansfield ISD congratulates student-athletes on signing national letters of intent to compete at the college level. National signing day is traditionally the first day a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college football, field hockey, soccer, track & field, and cross country. (Thanks to the Athletics Department for compiling this list. This list will be updated as additional students make decisions.)

______________________________________________________________

Lake Ridge High School

Football
Keith Breckenridge – Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Cross Country
Hunter Wamack – Northeastern State Louisiana

Boys Golf
Carlos Headland – Thomas University

Baseball
Scottie Kelton – Central Christian College, Kansas

Boys Soccer
Jessie Diaz – Dallas Baptist University

Legacy High School

Girls Soccer
Madison Brinkman – Oklahoma Christian
Danielle Hightower – Central Baptist College
Alyssa Pios – St. Gregory’s

Boys Soccer
Daniel Moore – Florida Southern

Football
Everett Williams – Minnesota
Chad Pursley – SMU
Jared McGee – Northwestern
Terrance Ivery – Tulsa
Kijana Amous – Northern Colorado or Navarro (Undecided)
Harris Tafah – Navarro
Chris Smith – Texas A&M Commerce
Mike Sanders – Texas A&M Commerce
Bryson Sheffield – Texas A&M Commerce
Josh Conrad – Texas A&M Commerce
Kenton Mayberry – Southern Nazarene

Baseball
Corey Murray – Weatherford Junior College

Mansfield High School

Girls Track
Kami Stockett – SFA

Girls Golf
Rachel Dahl – Angelo St.

Boys Golf
Hunter Johnson – McMurry

Softball
Taylor Spurgin – Austin College
Marlee Boyd – Greyson Community College

Football
JT Ibe – Rice
Hunter Ponder – Rice
Nick Hall – Southern Nazerene University
Noble Leake – Southern Nazerene University
Maurice Isuo – Langston University

Girls Soccer
McKayla Paulson – Texas A & M
Sidney LeRoy – Dayton
Taylor Rotto – Northeastern State

Summit High School

Seven football and one baseball signing to play with colleges today. Go Jags. pic.twitter.com/lKZlzUt4HW
— Summit Football (@SummitFB) February 5, 2014

Football
Jordan Hester – Minnesota Crookston
Chase Snyder – Southwest Oklahoma State University
Samuel Armardi – Dordt College
Jordan Smith – Texas A&M University-Commerce
Johnson Ubani – Southeastern Oklahoma University
Christian Taylor – Angelo State University
Chris Logan – Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Baseball
Austin McLaughlin – Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Timberview High School

Our signees with their parents. #NationalSigningDay #gowolves pic.twitter.com/mmQc0vLbnI
— TimberviewHighSchool (@TimberviewHigh) February 5, 2014

Football
Ed Paris – LSU
Brandon Simmons – Stanford
Brandon Garner – UNT
Rashaad Burton – ACU
Dorian Brown – Sam Houston
Jacob Addison – McKendree University
Tevin Muse – Tyler Junior College
Damian Walker – UTEP

Girls Track
Kelsey Johnson – San Jose State University

Boys Track
Branden Perry – UTSA

Mansfield golfer heads to Pebble Beach Tourney

Nicholas Narcisse, a junior at Mansfield High School, is among four local teens to compete in the 2013 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, an official Champions Tour event September 27-29, and televised internationally on Golf Channel. The teens are being sent by First Tee of Fort Worth.

Each participant will be teamed a Champions Tour player and an amateur on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course on Friday and Saturday. The final round will be played on Pebble Beach on Sunday, where the Champions Tour winner will be crowned and the top 23 pro-junior teams will compete for their own championship. Narcisse was also selected to participate in the Coca Cola Champions Challenge on Thursday, September 26 where he was be paired with a Champions Tour Pro and competed for a chance at a $40,000 purse for The First Tee of Fort Worth.

Narcisse got his first tournament win in 2012 at the Pro Duffers Charity Golf Tournament but has four second place finishes and one third place finish. Narcisse currently plays with a 0.8 handicap as he works on continually improving his game. Narcisse is a member of the Junior Advisory Board and has attended The First Tee National Life Skills and Leadership Academy, and the National Advanced Academy. Narcisse is an active volunteer in his church and also had the privilege of playing in a foursome with golf great Lee Trevino a couple of years ago.

About The First Tee of Fort Worth
The First Tee of Fort Worth is the Fort Worth chapter of The First Tee program and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.

Timberview seniors selected for 2014 Army All-American Bowl

Congratulations to seniors Ed Paris and Brandon Simmons, Timberview High School varsity football defensive backs, for being selected for the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. This prestigious bowl game takes place at the San Antonio Alamodome on January 4 and will be televised on NBC. Only 90 players from across the U.S. are selected each year.

On Thursday, September 26, Paris and Simmons received their jerseys during a special afternoon ceremony at the campus.

(Read related article in the Mansfield News-Mirror.)

Special Olympics Awards: Athlete and Unified Partner of the Year

On Friday, April 19, two athletes from the Mansfield ISD All Stars Special Olympics team received awards at the opening ceremony for Area 11. Raeka Phelps was named the Female Athlete of the Year and Justin May was named Unified Partner of the Year. A unified partner is an athlete without disabilities that competes alongside an athlete with disabilities. Both of these athletes have been with the Manfield ISD All Stars for several years. They both attend Mansfield Legacy High School. Congratulations, Raeka and Justin.

2013 Mansfield ISD National Signing Day

Mansfield ISD congratulates student-athletes on signing national letters of intent to compete at the college level. National signing day is traditionally the first day a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college football, field hockey, soccer, track & field, and cross country. (Thanks to the Athletics Department for compiling this list. This list will be updated as additional students make decisions.)

______________________________________________________________

Legacy High School
Girls Soccer
Morgan Nutley – Navarro Junior College
Callie Jo Davis – Southwestern Christian University
Kallie Moores – Louisiana State University Shreveport
Stephanie Gutierrez – Texas Woman’s University
Jamie Couch – Texas State University

Golf

Marchie Murdock, Legacy HS committed to Illinois

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/04/4599899/city-of-mansfield-enjoys-boom.html#storylink=cpy

(PHOTO: Star-Telegram, Ron Jenkins)

Andrew Dixon – Boys Golf – Southwestern Christian University
Amber Campbell – Girl Golf – Southwestern Christian University

Football
Brady Burke – Evangel University
Marchie Murdock – University of Illinois

Lake Ridge High School
No students this signing date

Mansfield High School
Football
Austin Davis – Duke
Zach Crabtree – Oklahoma St.
Chad Whitener – University of California
George Baltimore – TCU
Trent Gow – Air Force
Bryan Shanklin – Air Force
Calum Rodriguez – Henerson St.

Track
Aleeah Stigarll – Troy University
Sydnee Worlds – University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

Soccer
Sydney Newton – Abilene Christian University
Manny Sevilla – Ottawa University, Kansas

Baseball
Ryan Brooks – Grayson County Junior College


Summit High School
Baseball
Brady Usherwood (Short stop) – Grayson Junior College

Football
DL Bryson Henderson – TCU
DE Kendrick Johnson – Northern Colorado
WR Derrick Styles – SW Oklahoma State
WR Patrick Tshituka – SW Oklahoma State
LB Quan Mathews – Cisco Junior College

Timberview High School
Football
Josh Smith – Liberty
D’Andre Fuller – ACU
Blake Mendenhall – Southwest University
Khalid Conner – SWOSU
Kendell St. Romain – Austin College
Ugonna Nwarie – OPSU
Maurice Smith – Grandview College
Ernest Cash – Grandview College

Girls Track
Briana Adams – Texas State
Jazmine Warden – Houston Baptist

Related: City of Mansfield enjoys boom times in recruiting, DFWVarsity.com

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/04/4599899/city-of-mansfield-enjoys-boom.html#storylink=cpy

Lady Tigers Volleyball Coach Celebrates 500 Career Wins

Congratulations to Lady Tiger volleyball coach Judith McGill for the awesome accomplishment of winning 500 career games! The monumental victory took place when the Lady Tigers defeated the Panthers on Friday, October 12, in Midlothian.

When we asked Coach McGill how she accomplished the tremendous feat of reaching 500 victories, her answer was simple – it’s the kids.

“Behind every win is a hardworking, dedicated team,” said McGill. "The only way you make it to 500 is by having great kids, and I think that is really the key to any successful school program."

Although reaching 500 wins is a crowning achievement for Coach McGill, she has no intention of slowing down.

“I want to keep winning games and support hardworking kids that will go on to be productive citizens and good people,” said McGill. “That goal will never change.”

On behalf of the MISD Administration, congratulations to Coach Judith McGill! We appreciate your commitment to the Lady Tiger Volleyball program, Mansfield High School and the Mansfield ISD community.

Shelbi Vaughn: National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year

Congratulations to Shelbi Vaughn, Mansfield Legacy HS graduate, for being named the 2011-12 Gatorade® National Girls Tack & Field Athlete of the Year. Check out the Player Bio for Shelbi Vaughn.

Below is the full-page ad in the July 5, 2012 Ft. Worth Star-Telegram:

On June 27, the Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, announced Abraham Hall of South Grand Prairie High School (Grand Prairie, Texas) and Shelbi Vaughan of Legacy High School (Mansfield, Texas) as its 2011-12 Gatorade National Track & Field Athletes of the Year.

At the USA Track and Field Junior Outdoor Championships, Vaughan had a throw of 198 feet, nine inches, that set the national high school and junior records in the discuss throw. She also won the discuss throw at this year's 5A state championships. She finished 4th in the Women’s Discus Throw at the Olympic Trials in Oregon last month. (Shelbi Vaughan "the future of throwing" - ESPN.com)


Check out the announcement videos on Shelbi here, here, and here
Emmitt Smith surprises Shelbi Vaughan: 2011-12 Girls Track and Field POY

Mansfield ISD congratulates Shelbi Vaughn.

Olympic Connections and Congratulations

Mansfield ISD is very proud to share some recent outstanding athletic accomplishments with ties to the Olympics:

Congratulations to Aldrich (A.J.) Bailey from Mansfield Timberview High School. A.J. won the Junior Nationals in the Men’s open 400 meters and finished in the top 16 in the Men’s open 400 meters over the weekend at the Olympic Trials in Oregon.


Congratulations to Shelbi Vaughan from Mansfield Legacy High School. Shelbi won the Junior Nationals in the Women’s Discus Throw. She finished 4th in the Women’s Discus Throw at the Olympic Trials in Oregon this past weekend.
(Related photo and article via The Rider Online.)

Congratulations to Tobi Fawehinmi from Mansfield Summit High School. Tobi set two new records in the Long Jump for Para Track and Field. He will compete June 29-30 in the Long Jump for the Paralympic trials in Indiana.

UPDATE: Summit HS athlete earns spot on US Paralympic Team for track and field and will compete in London this August and September
Tobi Fawehinmi competed in the US Trials this past weekend in Indianapolis, IN and won gold in both the Triple Jump and the Long Jump in his classfication. Sunday night, he was named as one of only 54 athletes that will be competing for the United States at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

This is an incredible opportunity for this young man, as he will now travel the world representing the US and Summit High School. He will be leaving on July 11 to travel with the team to Canada for a week of training and a competition. He will then have just a few weeks before he will leave for England.
(via Shannon Utley, Summit HS Head Coach CC & Girls Track)
Related Links:

• Shelbi Vaughan "the future of throwing" - ESPN.com
• Shelbi Vaughan, Aldrich Bailey, Ajee Wilson advance on first day at Olympic Trials - ESPN.com
• Mansfield high school track stars advance to next rounds at Olympic trials - Star-Telegram
  
  Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/06/22/4053176/mansfield-high-school-stars-advance.html#storylink=cpy
• USA Track & Field
• U.S. Olympics Track & Field Trials
• U.S. Paralympics Track & Field Trials

Congratulations Summit Girls Basketball 4A State Champions

On Saturday, March 3, the Summit High School varsity girls basketball team defeated Rockwall to secure the UIL Class 4A state championship. Congratulations, Lady Jaguars!

UPDATE: Summit will hold a State Championship Girls Basketball Pep Rally at 8:00 PM on Monday, March 19, 2012 in the varsity gym.

The Jagwire: Lady Jags End Season With State Championship

"For the second time in four years, the Summit Lady Jaguar basketball team ended their season as state champions.

The Lady Jags defeated the Rockwall Lady Yellow Jackets 45-42 in the 4A State Championship game.

'I’m speechless,' senior guard Ashley Eli said. 'I’m sitting here crying, but I’m not sad at all. I’m just really happy. I’m never going to play for Summit again.'" Read more...

Star-Telegram: Mansfield Summit girls outlast Rockwall for 4A championship

"Mansfield Summit won its second state title in four seasons by defeating Rockwall 45-42 Saturday in the UIL Class 4A girls basketball championship at the Erwin Center.

Maya Hawkins, who missed the final two weeks of the regular season and the Jaguars' first three playoff games with an ankle injury, won tournament MVP honors by scoring a team-high 19 points. The junior guard also grabbed five rebounds, dished out a pair of assists and was the only Jaguar to play the entire game." Read more...

Photos courtesy Mansfield Summit High School via Craig Lusinger:

Summit girls basketball last won the state championship in 2009.

Timberview Football Named Team of the Year

The high school football season may be over but the Timberview High School football squad is still collecting trophies. The Timberview varsity team received the 5A Army Strong/Texas Football Team of the Year Award from Dave Campbell's Texas Football publication. Although state championship teams are usually the recipients of the trophy, the Timberview Wolves successful playoff run in the midst of team and school-wide tragedy epitomized the true meaning of the award.

"Timberview's team had a fantastic year but they did it in face of enormous adversity within the team and within the school community. There's a lot of tragedy they were able to overcome." said Brad Hilliard, representative for Campbell's Texas Football. SFC Joey Curry was also in attendance to represent the US Army in the presentation of the trophy on Wednesday, February 15 at the school field house.

Pictured L-R - SFC Curry, Coach Walker, Brad Hilliard

 2011 5A Army Strong/Texas Football Team of the Year

Through all of the accolades his team has received, Coach Mark Walker has been quick to credit his players and coaching staff on their dedication and inner strength. Congratulations to the Timberview High School varsity football team!

2012 Mansfield ISD National Signing Day

Mansfield ISD congratulates student-athletes on signing national letters of intent to compete at the college level. National signing day is traditionally the first day a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college football, field hockey, soccer, track & field, and cross country. (Thanks to the Athletics Department for compiling this list. Updated 2/2/12 with additional names.)

______________________________________________________________

Legacy High School

Girls Soccer:
Caitlynn Rinehart – Texas State
Kensli Pounds – Midwestern State University
Alex Edwards – Midwestern State University
Lauren Kee – Texas Wesleyan
Makenzie Koch – TCU
Maicee Brinkman – Oklahoma Christian University
Jessica Whetzel – Texas Wesleyan

Mansfield High School

Football:
Hassan Ridgeway – University of Texas
Jerod Evans – Air Force
Gary Davis – Air Force
Lenzy Pipkins – Louisiana Monroe
Mouf Adebo – Sam Houston State

Boys Soccer:
Jacob Speed – Kentucky

Softball:
Kelsey Brungs – Hill Junior College

Girls Soccer:
Shay Williams – Angelo State University
Taylor Lowe – East Central University
Krista Kahl – East Central University
Kayla Cheesman – Lander University
Haley Maurice – Oklahoma State University

Cross Country
Elijah Vargas – Arlington Baptist College
Alejandro Guitierrez – Arlington Baptist College
Nick Hergenrother – New Mexico Military Institute (NIMI) 

Meredith Gleitz – Texas A&M University

Summit High School

Football:
Micah Awe – Texas Tech University
Bryan Ohene – Colorado State University
Calvin Burns – West Texas A&M University
Jacolby Robinson – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Jaylon Singleton – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Donovan Ellis – Wayland Baptist University
Brendan Pegg – Wayland Baptist University

Jordan Mathews  –  Wayland Baptist University

Girls Soccer:
Marisela Chavez  –  University of Central Arkansas
Trae Dimanche  –  East Central University 

Antoinette Bennett  –  University of Auburn

Timberview High School

Track:
AJ Bailey – Texas A&M University

Football:
Josh Esukpa – Incarnate World University
JE Thomas – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Michael Adefolarin – Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Nick Lewis – Midwestern State University
Kendall Jackson – Midwestern State University
Rene Lawson – University of Minnesota, Crookston
Frank Kee – Tyler Junior College
Jeremy Miller – Tyler Junior College

3-on-3 Intermediate School Basketball District Championships

On January 26, 2012, Legacy High School hosted the 19th Annual Mansfield ISD 3-on-3 Intermediate School Basketball District Championships. Each intermediate school held campus tournaments to send their winning teams. In all, approximately 200 intermediate students participated.

The 3-on-3 event started with one school, Cross Timbers Intermediate School, back in 1993. Since then the event has grown to include all six intermediate schools in MISD.

The 3-on-3 intermediate tournament is a part of the Physical Education classes. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament was originally a part of a campus improvement plan. The program was created to improve student attendance and has turned into a great, fun opportunity to learn teamwork. Some of the participants from this event have gone on to play basketball at various levels: 4A and 5A State Champions, NCAA Div. 1 Men’s and Woman’s basketball and even a European league.

Congratulations to the 3-on-3 District Champion Teams:

6th Boys Asa Low Intermediate School

Shaysten Cornish

Cooper Thor

Dillon Nguyen

6th Girls Cross Timbers Intermediate School

Zaria Williams

Kristen Evans

Tamera Derrough

5th Boys Della Icenhower Intermediate School

Chris Ford

Bryson McKiney

CJ Smith

5th Girls Cross Timbers Intermediate School

Mikalyn Greenzweig

Tamara Tickles

Jaicia Canaday

Timberview Coach Guided Team Through Tragedy; Earns Heartbeat Award

It’s been said that adversity breeds character and strength. During a period themed by tragedy and pain, Timberview High School head football Coach Mark Walker emerged as a shining example of that adage. It is for this reason, Coach Walker was named the January 2012 Heartbeat Team recipient.

In late October, the students, staff and community were dealt two crushing blows with the loss of two students in a car wreck, followed a week later by the death of assistant football coach Cody McCarty.

Although the odds seemed to be stacked against Timberview, Coach Walker’s faith in his school and his team never wavered. Rather than making excuses, Walker and his Wolves agreed they would dedicate the remainder of their season to McCarty and they were determined to honor his name.

“When the tragedies hit, he took a load on his shoulders and just kind of carried the whole team for a while,” said Derrell Douglas, Timberview High Principal.

Walker led the team to victory and the longest playoff run in Mansfield ISD history, and feelings of loss began to transform into hope. While the on-field success was energizing for Timberview, it was the tidal wave of school pride in the stands that seemed to be healing.  

Although it’s obvious to many that Walker’s strength and perseverance played a major role in the outcome of the season, he gives every bit of credit to his team.

“I’m just proud of the life lessons these young men have learned,” Walker said. “Our group of young men did an excellent job.”

Now on the other side of what once seemed like a set of impassable obstacles, Walker and his team are left with a football season they will never forget and a legacy that will live on forever.

The Mansfield ISD administration is proud to present the January 2012 Heartbeat Team Award to Coach Mark Walker for his inspirational strength and spirit on and off the football field.

Here's an excerpt from the nomination essay submitted by Coach Walker’s colleagues:

“Coach Walker should be honored not only for the tremendous heart and character he has shown in his leadership, but also for inspiring the entire MISD community with an incredible football season that will forever represent an expression of love by the Timberview Wolves family for their never forgotten son, Coach Cody McCarty. Coach Mark Walker helped teach an entire community what can happen when we stick together, lean on one another, support one another and put our heart and soul into something in which we all believe.”

About the Heartbeat Team

The Mansfield ISD Heartbeat Team was established to recognize employees who display heart in their lives and inspire other district employees through their actions. Heartbeat Team members are nominated only by other district employees. Winners are selected during the school year from those nominated. Those named to the Heartbeat Team are still eligible for other district honors.

Timberview Football - A Season To Remember

The Mansfield Timberview High School varsity football team had the best season of any high school in Mansfield ISD history. Timberview battled their way through the playoffs before ultimately losing in the Class 5A Division II State Semifinals last weekend.

Congratulations, Wolves on your phenomenal season!

Video Tributes
Check out a couple of video tributes produced by Collin Tate, a senior at Frontier High School:

Kick Chance Raises Cash for Joplin

Della Icenhower Intermediate School student, Kyra (pictured above at right) went through Joplin, MO with her dad this summer and wanted to do something to help. The school decided that they would use the Principal's Extra Point at the Friday, October 7 football game at Newsom Stadium as a way to help the tornado-ravaged community. About 20 staff members decorated a milk jug and collected change. The Icenhower staff member who collected the most change would take the kick at the game instead of the principal. The school raised about $379 dollars, Kyra was able to be down to the field, and teacher Ms. Del Fierro (above left), took the kick.

------

The Prinicpal's Extra Point is in its second-year through the Athletics Department. It is an opportunity to give the school principals from our elementary and intermediate campuses a chance to win money for their school's PE department from the MISD High School Athletics Booster Clubs. 

Thank you, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center

Guest Post by Eric White, MISD Athletic Trainer

On behalf of Mansfield Independent School District Athletic Department, I want to express my gratitude to Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, its physicians, nurses, and staff for the spirit of volunteerism that they displayed on Saturday, July 30, conducting sports physicals and echocardiograms for more than 300 athletes. Their generous donations of time and equipment ensured many of our athletes are ready to compete safely as the season gets underway.

Volunteering their time at Mansfield Summit High School were local physicians Darin Charles, MD; Nancy Georgekutty, MD; Donna Shannon, MD, Keto Trivedi, MD; Mary Welp, MD; and Jeff McDaniel, MD. Cardiologists Joshua Jacobi, MD and Alan Taylor, MD.

Additionally, volunteers who helped organize and assist in the sports physicals and echos were Angel Biasatti, Henry Burdine, Mario Chavez, Casey Darwin, Julia De La Guardia, Annie Dukes, Christie Enslin Rijan Giri, Carol Hague, Beverly Hill, Stacey Hensley, Herman Jaime Jr., Bernnie Kennedy, Jay Lavers, Patricia Looper, Kalinda Longino, Victoria Mays, Paula McMahan, Rosa Nyaoga, Jeanne Reeves, Amber Roten, Sandra Sanchez, Shelby Shaw, Debra Stafford, Christina Tillotson, Teresa Tucker, Kimberlee Williams, Michelle Williams, Karen Yates and Vicki Yoder.

With the help of Methodist Mansfield Medical Center the Mansfield Independent School District athletic department has benefited immensely and we are appreciate of their community outreach efforts and their health programs that benefit our entire community.

While we partner with Methodist Mansfield year-round, this one-weekend’s effort has not only helped our coaches, it has brought increased visibility to our role in mentoring and supporting healthy athletes in our community.

The Mansfield Independent School District athletic department thanks Methodist Mansfield Medical Center for its commitment to building a healthy community and we look forward to continuing to work toward a better community.

Sincerely,
Eric White
Athletic Trainer

Tigers Coach Heads Texas All-Star Basketball Team

Each year, the most talented high school senior basketball players from across the state are selected to compete in the ultimate showdown, also known as the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) All Star Game. Naturally, a game played by the best is also coached by the best, and this year is no different. 

Mansfield High School’s own Coach Richie Alfred was selected to coach one of the 4A/5A All-Star boys teams at Trinity University in San Antonio on May 20.   

Alfred is completing his 28^th year as a basketball coach, which makes him an outstanding candidate for an All-Star game coach. In addition to his impressive tenure, Alfred brings a bevy of winning qualities to the table. He was nominated for the honor by his former assistant coach Marchie Murdock, who now serves as head basketball coach at Legacy High School. 

In Murdock’s nomination letter to the TABC Committee, he referred to Alfred as “one of the best defensive tacticians to ever grace the sidelines,” adding that the teams who have fallen victim to his players over the years are still “scratching their heads in mystery.” 

Alfred’s coaching skills have led to more than 400 victories as well as recurrent playoff seasons. In addition to being considered a brilliant coach, Alfred serves as a mentor and role model for many young men. Murdock writes:

“The young men under his guidance get a daily character lesson which helps them to not only understand how to overcome life obstacles, but to believe in themselves and perfect the little things that will aid them in victory. Whether it is used in competition or in life, his method for success has proven to be a valid formula.”

Alfred believes that young athletes can learn many life lessons through hard work and competition and he makes a consistent effort to bring those lessons to light. 

“I am a firm believer that athletics mirrors life and that there is much to be learned through sports,” said Alfred. “I try to use basketball as a tool to teach those lessons and I believe there is a correlation between that and student success.”

As Coach Alfred prepares for the big event next week, he will draw upon 28 years of competitive milestones and memories. 

“This feels like the culmination of a long career,” said Alfred. “I’ve had some great teams and we’ve won a lot of games, but what I’m most proud of is how our determination and heart brought us to where we are today.”

Groups Sponsor Special Olympics Area Track Meet

The Mansfield ISD Athletics Department and the Mansfield ISD All Stars teamed up to sponsor the first invitational track meet for Special Olympics groups throughout the Greater Fort Worth Area.

The event was held on Saturday, April 2 at Timberview High School. Of the 113 competitors, 23 were Mansfield ISD students. Over 85 volunteer athletes from all four Mansfield ISD  high schools and several middle schools assisted by running with the competitors and offering encouragement. 

The event was also supported by Kirk Thor, MISD Assistant Athletic Director, Coach Mark Walker, Athletic Coordinator from Timberview High School and several other middle and high school coaches who helped make sure the event ran smoothly. 

The Special Olympics competitors and the Mansfield ISD volunteer athletes enjoyed the experience that allowed them to learn and be inspired by one another. 

Congratulations to the Mansfield ISD All Stars on a successful event!

The mission of the All Stars is to provide year-round sports training, education and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children with intellectual disabilities. The organization was started in 1986 by Harriet Kaker and Maurie James, with the help of Imogene Gideon and the MISD Director of Special Education at that time. The team has grown from having only six athletes and two coaches, to now having over 75 athletes and 20 coaches. 

If you are interested in volunteering with the Special Olympics or the Mansfield ISD All Stars, please contact Joan Hart, or visit the website.

Basketball teams tip off for Kay Yow Cancer Fund

The Mansfield ISD high school basketball programs are raising money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund on Tuesday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 7.

The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™ is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.

"The late Kay Yow, the Fund's namesake and former North Carolina State University head women's basketball coach, was a past president and founding member of the WBCA, and a galvanizing voice for the Association.Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and passed away on January 24, 2009, after facing her third bout with the disease."
[Women's Basketball Coaches Association] 

"In her 38 years as a head coach at the college-level, Yow is one of only six Division I head women's basketball mentors to achieve 700 career victories. Yow was also the head coach of the 1988 US Olympic Team that won the gold medal in Seoul."
[The V Foundation]

Local Connection
This year the Texas Girls’ Coaches Association has chosen the Kay Yow Cancer Fund as their charity of choice. The girls’ basketball coaches in Mansfield ISD, all members of TGCA, decided it would be a great cause to bring awareness to as well as raise money.

According to Tammy Lusinger, Summit High School Athletic Coordinator and Girls' Basketball Head Coach, the MISD basketball teams will have pink t-shirts for sale for $5.00. They will also pass around buckets for fans to donate. All proceeds will go to the cancer fund.

Details:
Tuesday, November 30 – Mansfield girls play Arlington at Mansfield High School, Timberview girls play Crowley at Timberview High School, Summit boys and girls play Legacy boys and girls at Summit High School.

Tuesday, December 7 – Mansfield girls play North Crowley at Mansfield High School and Timberview boys and girls play Summit at Timberview High School.

Related information: Kay Yow biography

School is just around the corner

It's that time of year again. No, not back to school...yet. It's the hot summer days and school district personnel are in and out on staggered vacation days. We've all been getting the last bit of time before another school year begins.

So if you've tried to contact someone in administration and it has taken some extra time to get a return call or e-mail you'll know why. Campus personnel will report back to work soon as well. Thanks for your patience.

But we are getting close
The school year is right around the corner. The first day of school is Monday, August 23, 2010. You still have time to squeeze in some summer fun. Also, be sure check the MISD website for back to school information in the coming days (with registration dates, school supply lists, and more). Don't wait to take care of any immunization needs and athletic physicals.

Enjoy what's left of the summer.

(Image: jaqsphotogarage)