About me
Career start in 1999
I started in 1999 at an NCAA university, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. I had finished my bachelor’s degree there in 1995. I set up the program and we reached the play-offs in our second year. Then I went to Sam Houston State University in 2002, NCAA Division I. At SHSU, I was also a planning program pioneer and conference runner-up champion.
We were sixth in the national ranking of best universities in the first year (soccer buzz magazine, 2003). We had play-off awards including best player in the league (MVP) in the conference final with Brazilian athlete Raquel Bueno.
Experience in Other Parts of the Country
From Sam Houston State University, I accepted the challenge to elevate the University of South Dakota to the NCAA Division I. We placed athletes among the best in the conference and went to the play-offs in 2008 and 2009. From there, I returned to the South of the country in 2010 and started working to bring Grambling State University to full NCAA division I academic eligibility (historically a university for African-Americans, but a growing number of international students).
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.
