Category Archives: Athletics

Top HISD student-athletes commit to collegiate teams across the U.S.

With their parents, coaches, and friends looking on, two of the Houston Independent School District’s top athletes announced they will attend Sul Ross State University and the University of California at Berkeley to pursue their athletic and academic careers. 

Fatou Samb is a standout in basketball at Westside High School and has been offered a scholarship to play at the University of California at Berkeley. 

Jordan Huffpower, a top running back at Yates High School, has accepted a scholarship to play at the Sul Ross State University. 

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HISD student athletes to sign letters of intent on National Signing Day

The Houston Independent School District’s top student athletes will sign ceremonial letters of intent in the presence of their families, coaches and fellow competitors at the district’s annual ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 5.  

Male and female HISD athletes will be signing commitments to play baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling at colleges and universities throughout the nation.  

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Lamar HS coach’s influence spans from HISD to the World Series

The Houston Astros are the colossal favorites to win the 2019 World Series, but one HISD coach’s loyalties are torn between the hometown team and his former student, Washington Nationals third baseman and Lamar High School alum Anthony Rendon. 

“There’s not a jersey around that can have both the Nationals and the Astros on the same side,” Lamar head baseball coach David Munoz said. “I’m not going to lie. Having a kid play in the World Series is special. I am rooting for him.” 

Rendon, who has been instrumental to the Cinderella Washington Nationals team that advanced to its first-ever World Series, is just one in a long line of students that Munoz has motivated during his 22-year tenure at the HISD campus.  

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Unique after-school program at Hogg MS helps students excel on, off court

Students lead Welsh official on tour of Mission Squash  

Last year, as Heights High School sophomore Faustino Martinez struggled in his freshman biology class, little did he know that an after-school program centered around an obscure sport would propel him to success. 

Thanks to Mission Squash — a unique after-school program at Hogg Middle School that combines intense academic training, community service and participation in the elite racquet sport of squash — he passed his class with flying colors 

“For me, support is the most important part of the Mission Squash program,” Faustino said. “They helped me gain a true understanding of the subject, and that’s what really turned it around for me.” 

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HISD athletics camp focuses on improving water safety for students across the city

The whistle blows at Lamar High School’s natatorium, and students attending HISD’s athletics swimming camp return to their breast stroke drills and breathing exercises.

Summer is here for students, and that means tons of fun in the sun and swimming pools with friends. That is why veteran Coach Stephen McDonald wants to ensure HISD students have the proper education to have a safe and fun summer around water.

“Naturally, our students are going to gravitate towards activities such as swimming, and we fail them if they aren’t prepared,” McDonald said. “By offering the swim camp, we are making sure our students understand the importance of how to enjoy water in a safe way.”

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HISD athlete runs to win at state track meet

Top Sprinter Robert Gregory from HISD’s Wheatley High School achieved remarkable rankings at the Texas State Track and Field Meet held May 10-11.

Gregory placed first in the Boys 4A 200-meter dash. He completed the contest in just over 21 seconds and beat the second-place finisher by nearly half a second. Gregory is currently ranked first in the region, second in the state, and fifth in the nation.

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Sharpstown HS soccer coach fosters family bond, lessons beyond the pitch

Statebound Apollos have built strong relationships within team despite language barriers

They’ve been dubbed the “seven-nation family” — 11 starters, seven countries, four languages, and one dream: to become state champions.  

The Sharpstown Apollos varsity soccer team earned a regional title over the weekend with a win over Kingwood Park to advance to their first state tournament in school history.  

“This is something we have visualized and dreamed about,” Coach Greg Boles said. “This is huge – this is what we’ve worked for, and I am just so proud of these guys.” 

The championship-bound Apollos team features a diverse roster of players from seven different countries – USA, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Rwanda, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And, despite some language barriers, the team has formed a strong bond during their time out on the pitch.  

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Two top HISD student athletes commit to Kentucky State, University of Texas on National Signing Day

Nearly 150 students sign letters of intent for collegiate athletic programs across the country

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With their parents, coaches, and friends looking on, two of the Houston Independent School District’s top athletes announced they will attend Kentucky State University and the University of Texas to pursue their athletic and academic careers.

Mesi Wilson is a standout in volleyball at Bellaire High School who has been offered a scholarship to play at Kentucky State.

North Forest High School’s Javonne Shepherd, one of the top offensive tackles in the state, has accepted a scholarship to play at the University of Texas. Continue reading →

HISD Athletics Director Andre’ Walker recognized by NIAAA 

HISD Director of Athletics Andre’ Walker has received the designation of Certified Master Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Through a voluntary NIAAA certification process, Walker was evaluated on his background, experience, and professional contributions. He joins an elite group of administrators who demonstrate exemplary professionalism in the field of interscholastic athletic administration.

Walker has spent the past 18 years serving students in HISD as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and most recently as a senior athletics program administrator for the district’s Athletics Department. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Texas Southern University, Master’s in Education from Prairie View A&M University.  Continue reading →

HISD Director of Athletics named 2018 National Sport and Security Professional of the Year

HISD Director of Athletics Marmion Dambrino

HISD Director of Athletics Marmion Dambrino has been selected to receive the 2018 National Sport and Security Professional of the Year Award, presented by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi.

The award recognizes a member of management in the field who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in addressing safety and security issues over the past year.

The honor is selected by each respective sport league, association, or advisory committee, and will be presented on Wednesday, July 11, during the 2018 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition in Louisville, Kentucky.