Oldies but goodies

We are in the last week of our conditioning challenges and next week we finish up with the weight room challenge and another written challenge. Next week will also be the week where teammates have the opportunity to step up and save a teammate if they were unable to complete the challenge. I am very happy with this Lone Star Conference Challenge concept and it has been a great way to start off the new season.

On October 11th at 2 p.m., we will have our annual Alumni Game. I love this weekend! On Saturday night we all get together and laugh and talk about the "good old days" and then on Sunday they get their game faces on. It is always alot of fun. I thought I would take a little bit of time and update our fans on where and what some of our alumni have been up to.

My first graduating class consisted of two seniors that transferred to ASU from Incarnate Word. I will forever be in debt to Kylie Nabors and Marloes Roetgerink. They sacrificed a year of their lives (they both had to go to school longer to gradaute when they tranferred) to come to ASU and help turn this program around immediately. Marloes is playing basketball professionally over seas and last year her team won a championship and she was the most valuable player! Kylie is the head coach at her alma mater East Central High School in San Antonio.


Two other players transferred to ASU also, Jaclyn Nowlin and Esponosha Gilliam. Jaclyin is now a coach in Levelland, is married and expecting her first baby!!! After graduating from ASU, E pursued a Masters Degree in Social Work at Texas State and is currently a social worker at South Austin Hospital. She is engaged to Alexis Cooper (former ASU football player). This is a quote from E "I really want everyone to know that playing basketball and being coached by wonderful people, truly changed me into a honest, hard working, dedicated, competitive, and loving person." Now, I think E is giving us too much credit, because she was a very special young lady when we recruited her!


These transfers made a difference, but they be no means turned this program around on their own. When I arrived in San Angelo there was a core group of players willing and eager to do what ever I took to be successful. The returners that stuck it out were Kimberly Moore, Crystal Whalon, Keely Kolar and Kami Williamson. To this class we added a JUCO transfer Tammara Ringer. The one freshman on the team my first year was Kelli Ann Goble from Ozona. I loved her spunk, but I never thought she would play much for the 'Belles. Pretty funny uh? Kimberly Moore is married and living in Houston. She is an occupational therapist at a veterans hospital. Crystal Whalon lives in Austin and has just published her first book and she is a graphic designer and motivational speaker. Look for her designs on all our apparel this year. Keely Kolar lives in Austin and works (most likely runs) her parent's advertising firm. Tammara Ringer just got married in August to William West, who is also an ASU alum. They live in Pflugerville and after receiving her MBA at Texas State she is now an Internal Auditor for the State of Texas. Kami Williamson is the head coach at her alma mater Menard High School. She was such a great competitor and I know she is a great coach.


Also, attending the Alumni Game will be Sharon Ballenger Beam and Whitney Holting. Sharon is married with an adorable two-year old daughter, Mazzy. Sharon is also the head coach at Lake View High School. Whitney graduated from ASU's Physical Therapy program and is now currently working as a PT. Way to go Whitney! Christy Johnson lives here in San Angelo and recently had a baby with Marlow Rockwell (fomer player for the Ram basketball and football team).


Some of the more recent alums that will be playing are Lauren Weishuhn, Kandra Lakey, and Miranda Damiano. Kandra graduated last year and Lauren and Miranda will finish up this year.


I have been very fortunate to get to coach such outstanding young women and I am really looking forward to seeing all of them again. If you get a chance, please come out to see them. It is always alot of fun.