About me
A Journey of Passion: Sports, Education, and Impact
Hi there! My journey in sports and education has been a wonderful path. It all started back in 1999 when I launched the soccer program at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where I had proudly earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1995. By year two, we were already playoff contenders—talk about a dream start!
In 2002, I accepted a job offer at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), a Division I NCAA program, where I once again got to flex my program-building muscles. We made waves early, ranking sixth in the nation in our first year (shoutout to Soccer Buzz Magazine, 2003). From there, we celebrated standout moments in soccer and academics like our Brazilian player, Raquel Bueno, being named MVP in the conference finals and team academics’ awards year after year.
But I wasn’t done chasing new challenges. Next stop: the University of South Dakota. My mission? Elevate them to NCAA Division I. By 2008 and 2009, we had players earning top spots in the conference and a ticket to the playoffs. From there, I returned to the South, landing at Grambling State University where I worked to help this Historically Black College achieve full NCAA Division I academic eligibility and playoffs potential.
Beyond NCAA soccer coaching, my sport experience had an exciting and parallel leap onto the national stage. Since 2004, while at SHSU, I’ve had the privilege of working for the U.S. Soccer Federation at marquee events like the Tournament of Nations, SheBelieves Cup, and Summer Series. This journey has allowed to work alongside amazing federations staff, women soccer players, and coaches from around the world—U.S., Brazil, Spain, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Argentina. It’s been an incredible ride to play a role behind the scenes of some of the world’s best teams.
And because I’m a lifelong learner at heart, I followed my passion for education all the way to a doctoral degree. Now, I combine my experience in coaching and academics to help others unlock their potential in sports performance and education.
So that’s me—coach, educator, and forever a fan of the beautiful game!
Team/Organization I Worked or Affiliated With In My Career
and more
Over the years, I have chosen to develop my career based on strong principles in ethical and moral values. Whether it was relating and working with managers, staff, employees, press, or in the work relationship with athletes.
Coaching/Staff
- College Athlete (Basketball): Howard College, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (1990 – 1994)
- Military Medical/Psychology Specialist and Head Coach (Basketball): U.S. Army (1995 – 1999)
- NCAA Division III Head Coach (Soccer): University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (1999 – 2002)
- NCAA Division I Head Coach (Soccer): Sam Houston State University, University of South Dakota, Grambling State University (2002 – 2012)
- Team Staff/Liaison: CBF (Brazilian Soccer Federation), U.S. Soccer
Federation, Concacaf (Olympic Qualifying). (2004 – present) - Wellness/Fitness (Manager): Hewlett-Packard (Houston), FMC Technologies (2013 – 2017)
- Women’s Soccer Task Force member: Governo Federal – Ministério dos Esportes (Brazilian Sports Department – 2008)
- Youth Soccer Coach: Houston
Dynamo (2012 – 2014)
U.S. Soccer Development Academy – Houston - Dash Youth Program: College Engagement/Professional Coaching (2017 – 2019)
- SheBelieves and Tournament of Nations with Brazil Women’s National Team (2004 – 2019)
- Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash Youth (2017 – 2019)
- SheBelieves Cup work with Spain Women’s National Team (2020)
- Summer Series with Jamaica Women’s National Team (2021)
- Football is Freedom work with Jamaica Women’s National Team (2021)
- USL 2 Men’s League work with Houston Sur (2022)
Education
- Doctoral Degree in Education: Sam Houston State University (2015)
- Master of Science in Global E-Learning: Texas A&M University (2016)
- Cooper Institute Fitness Specialist Education (2013)
- United Soccer Coaches Association of America Coaching Education (2000)
- United States Soccer Federation Coaching Education (1999)
- Master of Arts in Physical Education – Pedagogy: University of Colorado (1998)
- Bachelor of Science: Major – Psychology, Minor – Exercise Sport Science. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (1995)
- Bacharelado em Educação Fisica: Universidade Estadual de São Paulo (UNESP). Brasil (1990)
- Brazilian B License: Federação de Futebol do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/BRUSA International Soccer Institute (2002)
College/University Teaching:
- Associate Professor (Exercise and Sport Science): University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (1999 – 2002)
- Instructor (Health & Kinesiology): Sam Houston State University, University of South Dakota, (2002 – 2010)
- Faculty (Kinesiology): Lonestar College (2012 – 2015)
- Trainer, Faculty Development: Houston Community College (2017 – present)
- Lecturer (Mental Training): Rice University (2013 – present)
Accomplishments and publications
American Southwest Conference
Playoffs, NCAA III academic awards (1999-2001)
NCAA national coaching ranking
2nd best coaching record turn around
Sixth-ranked best first- year program
Buzz Magazine – 6 out 13
Southland Conference runner-up champion
conference playoff appearance (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 – SHSU and USD)
Conference Players Awards
23 All-Conference players/27 All-Academic, 8 Post-Conference Players Awards (including 1 MVP), Seven Athletic department academic awards (3.0 GPA and above)
Summit Conference
Conference playoffs, NSCAA Team Academic Award, Team Community Awards
Southwestern Conference
Conference Playoffs, Conference Players Awards, NCAA I Academics
Co-authored “Mulheres na Area” book [Women in the Field]
by Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS [Federal State University of Rio Grande do Sul – Brasil.]
Affiliations/Memberships/Committees:
NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy, NACWAA (National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators), NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America), Rice University (cnx article), U.S. Army Medical Corps, and Cooper Institute. Committees: Basketball/Soccer hiring, Equity & Title IX, Athletic Discipline, Diversity, and Brazilian Women’s Soccer Sport Ministry Task Force member.
Hobbies
Fitness, reading, writing (articles, book chapters, website), music, computers, walking with my dog (Zoca), going out with my family, wine tasting with friends, coffee time at Starbucks.
Family & Friends
The reason for my life and my being (my mother, D. Dilma), barbecue with family, traveling/camping (or both) with my best friend and/or with my sister.
Passion
Learning always, leading, helping others to succeed, laughing, happy seeing others achievement, thrilled for my players/students successes, offering/receiving hugs.
Fluent in English and Portuguese. Advanced proficiency in Spanish, learning German.
