Growing up, Title IX and Sports were the engines of opportunity which drove my passion to compete. I am the daughter of a college professor who has a doctorate in accounting and a mother with a masters in nursing. Teaching and goal setting are in my DNA. My parents are still the foundation of my life’s journey. They taught me at an early age that it is important to be passionate about your life choices.
My first choice was to play the piano or to play basketball. Goodbye piano and hello basketball! Basketball (six player game) became my passion of choice and was fueled by the teachings/coaching of the legendary Bob Schneider at Canyon High School. I earned All-State honors my Junior and Senior year and our team won State in 1974 in Old Gregory Gym at UT. Wayland Baptist and West Texas State University were my next stops where I attended college on a basketball scholarship. I graduated from WTSU the spring of 1978 and started my first head coaching job that fall at Lubbock Cooper High School.
Title IX played an important part in my life that I did not even knew existed at the time. Girls in sports were about to get a shot in the arm with Title IX creating endless opportunities for girls/women to participate in the athletics arena. 1978-1979 was the first year Texas High School Girls Basketball Teams would play the five player game instead of the six player game, along with new opportunities to run track and play volleyball.
It was time for the “BIG” Universities to jump on the band wagon of Title IX and women’s sports. In fall of 1980 my journey took a turn and I became the Assistant Basketball Coach (defense) at The University of Texas at Austin under the leadership of Head Coach Jody Conradt. The next decade was filled with the wonders and joys of being part of the coaching staff for the 1987 undefeated NCAA National Champion in Women’s Basketball. During the 80’s decade I also had the privilege of being the US National Floor Coach for the 1984 Gold Medal Women’s Basketball Olympic Team and worked the basketball venue at the 1984 Olympics in which Pat Summit was the Head Coach.
Next it was time to raise a family with my husband, Roy Pool. I went back to my roots. My first love has always been teaching the fundamentals of the game of basketball and Bowie High School in Austin was the perfect fit. During my 19 years at Bowie, I became involved in TGCA and TABC organizations. I have served on numerous committees for both organizations. I am currently serving as Chair for the TABC HOF Committee. TGCA and the leadership of Sam Tipton have been instrumental in allowing me to serve on the Executive Board for TGCA. Through Sam I learned and developed an understanding of the importance UIL has on Texas High School Athletics. I resigned my TGCA President’s position when I took the position as the Assistant Athletic Director of Austin ISD Athletics under AD Tommy Cox (retired). I still hold the position (9 years) today under the leadership of AD Leal Anderson.
Many honors have come my way, but teaching, coaching and mentoring athletes and coaches continue to be my number one passion. Since becoming part of the athletic administration team, I have enjoyed being a member of and watching the growth of THSADA. I have been blessed to have so many outstanding role models and mentors in the Coaching and Athletic Administration field. I have served on THSADA Awards Committee, Athletic Committee and chaired the Athletic Committee. I want to thank so many of my Athletic Administrator Colleagues for sharing their wisdom with me. I look forward to serving as the Region 6 Director for THSADA this next year.
Along with my husband Roy of 37 years, I also have two sons who both chose to go into the teaching/ coaching profession. My love for my family is filled with my oldest son Winston Pool, wife Kim and my granddaughters Holland and Madison and my youngest son Dalton Pool and his wife Andie. THANK YOU PIANO LESSONS!!!
