Brenda Marshall, Corpus Christi ISD athletic director and a
former member of the first women's softball team to represent the
United States in the Pan American Games, will be the guest speaker
at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islanders First
Pitch Dinner, Friday, Jan. 15, at the University Center
Ballroom.
The dinner, which starts at 6 p.m., is one of the TAMUCC's major
softball fundraisers as the team seeks to raise money for
scholarships, travel, equipment and related expenses.
Marshall was a standout athlete at Ray High School in tennis,
the only sport offered for girls at the time, and went on to star
at the University of Texas-Arlington as an outfielder prior to her
selection to the U.S. team that played in the 1978 games. In March
2007 she was named athletic director for the CCISD, becoming the
first woman to hold that post and one of the few in the nation to
head the Athletics Department of a major school district. At UTA
she helped lead the Lady Mavs to two College World Series
appearances. UTA selected her to their Athletic Hall of Fame and
also named her to their distinguished alumni.
Marshall has her bachelor's degree in health and physical
education from UTA, earned a master's in health and physical
education from Baylor University and a master's of science in
education administration from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
"We are very fortunate to have gotten a speaker of Brenda
Marshall's caliber to come speak at our dinner and fund raisers,"
Jake Schumann, Head Softball Coach for the Islanders, said. "She is
not only a local legend, but a softball legend of national caliber.
She helped pave the way not only for local young women to aspire to
greatness, but to young women nationwide."
Schumann pointed out that Marshall's achievement in softball
came before the softball was part of the Olympics movement and in
the infancy of Title IX legislation that opened the door for
women's athletics all across the nation.
Marshall has more than 22 years experience with the CCISD
athletic office. She began her career with CCISD as a specialist in
athletics in 1986. She has held the position of administrative
officer for athletics in 1992. Prior to her tenure with CCISD she
was a teacher and softball coach at Sam Houston State University
and West Texas State University.
Marshall is active in various national, state and local
organizations. She was the recipient of the National Federation of
State High School's citation award the National Athletics Director
Association for outstanding contributions to athletics at the
local, state and national levels.
Prices for the dinner are $30 for an individual and $200 for a
table. For more information, contact Islanders softball assistant
coach Teresa Flores at 361-728-4202.
The
First Pitch Dinner Registration Form
