RACE TO 100

BL Names New Athletic Director and Sets Sights on Continued Formational Success

BY JENNIFER NIMMO DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Bishop Lynch High School has an outstanding tradition of excellence when it comes to athletics. In fact, Bishop Lynch is on the cusp of securing its 100th team state championship. The women’s basketball state title earned in March 2021 brought BL’s total team state championships to 99.

However, sports participation at Bishop Lynch is so much more than wins and losses. It’s an integral part of student formation, and as such, the athletics department is now housed in the school’s formation quadrant with the house system, campus ministry, health and wellness, community service, activities and clubs, and discipline – all led by Candice Barbosa, assistant principal of student formation.

It’s a history of school sports success and a renewed focus on student formation that has a new director of athletics leading the way to a future of continued faith-filled formation on the fields, courts, tracks, mats, pools, links, lakes, and more. Allie Tennyson was named Bishop Lynch High School’s director of athletics in early 2021 after having served the school as the women’s athletic director and head women’s soccer coach. Now at the helm of the storied BL athletic program, Coach Tennyson – BL’s first female athletic director – has her eyes on the total formational development of BL’s approximately 700 student-athletes and the growth of its 18 sports programs as the largest school in Division 6A of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS).

CHECK OUT THIS SPECIAL Q&A WITH DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS ALLIE TENNYSON.

BISHOP LYNCH IS THE LARGEST MEMBER OF TAPPS. HOW DOES BL FILL A LEADERSHIP ROLE WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND STATE ASSOCIATION?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BEING NAMED BL’S FIRST FEMALE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS?

Other schools have noted Bishop Lynch High School’s success both on and off the field, and BL is looked to as a leader. From leading the way with our comprehensive COVID-19 safety protocols to our social media and branding and even the way our coaches and student-athletes conduct themselves, Bishop Lynch exudes leadership.

I am super blessed to have the opportunity to serve as the director of athletics at Bishop Lynch. There is a quote by St. John Paul II I love that addresses how sports can be the great equalizer. I think this quote speaks to what we are doing at Bishop Lynch to erase barriers and promote diversity. There are also many strong females in leadership roles at Bishop Lynch who I look up to and emulate.

YOU WERE A STANDOUT SOCCER PLAYER AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO FRIARS WHO WANT TO PLAY COLLEGIATE SPORTS?

My advice to our aspiring college student-athletes is that the hard work doesn’t stop when you sign your letter of intent. Taking college classes and playing on the collegiate level is extremely hard and requires a lot of balance. However, that hard work will pay dividends for your future success. Just this past school year alone, there were more than 20 student-athletes at Bishop Lynch who signed to play collegiate sports. All BL coaches have the mentality to support their student-athletes and prepare them for play at the next level.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ACCOMPLISHING DURING YOUR FIRST FULL YEAR AS BL’S DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS?

Bishop Lynch has 18 different sports programs, and I’m looking forward to taking a deep dive into each program to really get to know the coaches, student-athletes and parents and then determine each program’s drivers to success. THE BISHOP LYNCH ATHLETIC PROGRAM ISN’T JUST FOCUSED ON WINS. HOW DOES BL ATHLETICS SUPPORT ITS STUDENT-ATHLETES IN TERMS OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, SPIRITUALITY, TEAM DYNAMICS, ETC.? Bishop Lynch coaches are faithful, caring and dedicated and their commitment to our student-athletes shines in the way they support, lead and fully form students. I’m proud of the way Bishop Lynch Athletics emphasizes formation above all else.

WHAT GIVES BL ATHLETICS ITS COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE?

Bishop Lynch Athletics has a legacy of success that not a lot of other schools have. I am lucky that my office is located inside the Competition Gym because every day I get to see the banners that represent our 99 state championships. It’s humbling and exciting to see that level of athletic success. That BL legacy is witnessed by the second and third generations of Friar student-athletes on our campus.

MEET BRANDON MOATS

Introducing BL’s New Head Football Coach

Brandon Moats’ name is synonymous with player development, and he’s bringing his 10 years of experience as Bishop Lynch High School’s beloved head freshman football coach and running back coach to the top spot of the Friar football program. After serving as interim head coach, Coach Moats was formally named head coach of the Bishop Lynch football program this spring. He immediately began assembling a top-notch coaching staff and even started multiple 7-on7 football teams for middle schoolers at BL partner schools – an investment in the future of BL football.

BL President Chris Rebuck is excited to watch Coach Moats lead the Friar football program on the field this fall.

“Coach Moats has been a valued member of BL Athletics for the past decade. He represents the best of BL both as a leader on the field and a builder of young men. I am proud of his past successes and look forward to his work to grow the football program in size, stature and spirit,” said Rebuck.

You are true athletes when you prepare yourselves not only by training your bodies but also by constantly engaging the spiritual dimensions of your person for a harmonious development of all your human talents.

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT

It’s an exciting time to be a Friar, and a Friar sports fan. Thanks to the work of parent volunteers, the BL Athletic Association is getting turbocharged to encourage fan participation at all sporting events (post-COVID) and raise funds to support our student-athletes. Watch for a new membership drive – and special merchandise – coming in Fall 2021!