Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

Woman in Charge

By BRIAN HERNALSTEEN

News-Mirror Writer

For the past 12 years, Debbie Weems has been the athletic director for Mansfield school district.

It would be hard to imagine what things would be like had she not taken over the job after Rick Cash left the post.

And to think, it almost didn’t happen.

"I had been teaching at De Leon for years, and it was time for me to move on. I wanted to be in a position where there would be growth in the area where I took the job," Weems said. "I was offered three jobs and accepted the job in Mansfield.

"I guess with my being here as long as I’ve been here it must have been a pretty good decision."

Weems took the job at Mansfield High School in 1987, becoming the head girls basketball coach and girls coordinator at the campus. She was the coach of the Tigers from 1987-1993. In her final year as Tiger coach, Weems was also the assistant athletic director of the district.

Just a few years later, Cash left the post but continued to stay on in the district in some capacity until his retirement in 2005.Weems accepted the post of athletic director 1996 but it was not without some apprehension.

Through the years, she has faced challenges. Being one of the first few female directors in the state is hard enough; the athletic director position in a school district is often seen as a man’s job, a perception that has clearly changed over the years.

"There have been situations where I may have been overlooked or hard dealing with some people because of my gender. It has certainly been a question in my career, especially in the beginning when I took the job," she said. "I think I have done a good job and I’m passionate about what I do. I love this district and what we can do for this program and community."

Her dedication to the program is evident, having been a part of the school district for the past 22 years. When Weems first arrived to the little town of Mansfield, the McDonalds was the local eatery, and for something a little more exotic, the Grandy’s on Cooper Street in Arlington stood alone as the blue ribbon eatery of the area.

Her list of accomplishments and achievements is also evident, having been a part of the opening and overseeing athletic functions of the three high schools added since 2000.

A new state-of-the-art stadium was built, opened in 2006 as was a natatorium.

The Mansfield Lady Tigers basketball team won four state championships, all under her watch.

But to Weems, the biggest achievement is in the classroom.

"Academics is No. 1 to us. We stress to our kids the importance of school," she said. "If they don’t pass, they don’t play. The athletes in this district have a lot of success in the classroom. It is a constant every year to do well in academics. So many things have changed, with new schools opening and new schedules put on the kids.

"But they adjust. Every athlete carries a school planner and we want them to truly understand the importance of academics."

Education is high on Weems’ list not just because it is her job, but because it is something she once gave up and nearly lost for good.

While attending Ranger Junior College on a basketball scholarship, Weems said she quit because she "didn’t know what she wanted."

Once she did find out what she wanted to do, the light bulb flickered on and she returned to school, specifically Tarleton State University.

"I came to the realization that I wanted to coach and teach. I had to go back to school, and because I had those goals, I became a much more serious student," Weems said. "I took a lot of odd jobs to make ends meet when I dropped out of school. But once I got my act together, I became very serious about school work."

So the hours behind the desk and at Mansfield sporting events continue. Make no mistake, the job isn’t easy.

Giving up weeknights, weekends, vacations and losing sleep are the norm.

But when there is time, golf is the sport of choice.

"I used to play golf with my dad growing up. I love the game, and when I do have the time, I’ll head out to a course," she said.

Weems’ peers are probably glad that she plays golf in her limited time off. After all, she has earned it.

"The chance to work under her is one of the reasons I took this job. She cares a lot about the athletes and a lot about the coaches, and they give her that respect back," said Kirk Thor, assistant athletic director. "I had been with Mansfield for four years, but when this opportunity came up, I went for it knowing that Debbie Weems would be my boss.

"She is a very well-respected person not only in our district, but in other area districts."

Arlington athletic director I.C. Little coached against Weems in the '80s, when she was a coach for Lamar High School.

"Debbie and I have been around together for a long time. She is very committed to the athletes of Mansfield," Little said. "They couldn’t ask for a better athletic director. She goes above and beyond the call of duty for the students and the staff. Mansfield is very lucky to have her in charge."

Vernon Newsom, superintendent for the district, was a part of the hiring process that promoted Weems to athletic director.

"When we hired her, we gave her the job because she has a sense of what needs to be done. Over the years, she has made it a very well-rounded program," Newsom said. "Debbie has done a great job with the growth and with the opening of new schools. It is a really challenging position to be in, and she and her staff have done a stellar job."

For Weems, who has her sights focused on the upcoming seasons and school year, nothing has changed after 22 seasons.

"When I came here there were six elementaries, one middle school and one high school. It is just constant growth, and that’s what makes this job exciting every day," Weems said. "Like I said, I guess I made the right decision."