Category Archives: Athletics

HISD inducting inaugural class into newly created Athletic Hall of Honor

The Houston Independent School District has a rich history of student athletes not only making an impact but making history in the sports world. These athletes will be recognized at the inaugural induction ceremony into the HISD Athletic Hall of Honor on August 14.

A project spearheaded by Athletics Director Andre’ Walker and the Hall of Honor Executive Committee, the Class of 2021 consists of 16 individuals and one team. They include Super Bowl champions, Olympic winners, a basketball player whose college team inspired a movie, a tennis champion who led the way for tennis to become a professional women’s sport, and the best football team in state history.

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HISD Athletics hosts roundtable of coaches and teachers

Nearly two dozen current and former Houston Independent School District coaches and one former NFL player shared their experiences on the field and in the classroom as part of a roundtable discussion last week.

The purpose of the roundtable was to mentor coaches and teachers throughout the district, and foster relationships between staff. The event was held on Thursday, June 17, at 10 a.m. at Delmar Field House.

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HISD Athletic Director named Region V Athletic Director of the Year

Andre Walker poses for a photograph at Delmar Stadium, September 24, 2015.

He may be the Director of Athletics, but ask Andre’ Walker what he thinks makes HISD special and he will tell you the answer is simple.

“It’s what we do for our community, especially right now. It’s the food distributions, the vaccine clinics, the testing,” Walker said. “This district is the heart of this city.”

He credits those extra steps as the reason why the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association named him the Region V Athletic Director of the Year.

“They see the value in what we do in this district,” he said.

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Madison HS teacher honored for work in health, physical education

Madison High School teacher Paula Ceaser has been awarded the 2020 K-12 Health Education Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD).

The award is in recognition of “excellence and leadership in the HPERD profession for demonstrating leadership, achieving excellence, and being an outstanding representative of the teaching profession.”

Ceaser has taught physical education at Madison for 12 years and serves as a department chair and a lead teacher for HISD, helping to shape curriculum for health and physical education across the district. Ceaser said her role has allowed her to bring new opportunities and ideas to her students, from archery and fishing to participation in a grant with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to promote adolescent health initiatives.

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Nutrition Services offers tips to help student athletes better fuel their bodies

When it comes to meeting the nutritional needs of HISD students, Nutrition Services’ work isn’t limited to the cafeteria. Their efforts go beyond the plate and all the way to the athletic field.  

Nutrition Services Dietitian Nan Cramer and Chef Trainer Brittany Jones recently visited Delmar Stadium to serve up samples of green power smoothies — a tasty blend of apple, banana, soy milk, kale, no-nut butter, and vanilla extract — and to educate coaches, players, and parents on the impact of proper nutrition on athletes.  

He eagerly sampled the smoothie and gave his approval. 

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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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