THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Chisholm Trail High School Athletics

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COACHES OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHTS

Each month, the Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD Athletic Department will recognize a coach for his/her accomplishments in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. The recipient will receive a coupon for a free chicken biscuit or chicken minis, and a plush cow courtesy of Chick-Fil-A.  "Our coaches work hard on the field and in the classroom with our students and student-athletes," Athletic Director Brent Barker said. "We wanted to recognize them for their hard work and dedication to EMS ISD Athletics and thank you to Chick-fil-A Saginaw for sponsoring this."

                                February 2024


Head Boys Basketball Coach Rodney McFadden (aka Coach Mac) in February’s Coach of the Month. “It feels great,” he laughed. “It’s a great honor to know that my coaching is making an impact with the kids on campus.” Coach Mac has a long, successful history with the sport, not just in his personal life but in coaching as well. He’s received several titles in his athletic career while also helping to lead districts to victory after victory. McFadden coached both the O.D. Wyatt girls and boys teams, taking the ladies to several district championships and consecutive regional appearances and reviving the boys’ program that hadn’t been to the playoffs for 15 years straight. At Chisholm, this pattern refuses to be broken, helping to establish the Lady Rangers as a force to be reckoned with in the district along with aiding the Rangers in accumulating innumerable victories on the court. “We lost so many guys last season,” he admitted, “so coming into this season, I don’t think anyone expected us to make the playoffs, especially the boys, but they went out there and competed, had each other’s backs, and ultimately overachieved, and that’s the kind of culture we’re trying to build.”

“Coach Mac empowers young men and women every day,” said Assistant Coordinator Janine Smith. “He works to lead these student-athletes to be great basketball players, but he thrives on watching them grow as successful people. It is a pleasure to work with Coach Mac daily.”




                                     January 2024


Chisholm Trail Head Trainer Dean Broxterman is the January Spotlight and the first ever athletic trainer to be named Coach of the Month. “I never really expected this,” he admitted about the nomination. “Athletic trainers don’t get into the business for recognition, but this is quite an honor. I’m surprised.” Coach Brox was an athletic trainer at Richland High School before joining the Rangers but has been in the practice for much longer. He has worked in a variety of settings, from clinical to academic, for more than 30 years, being both Texas state-licensed and nationally certified. “Being a trainer is a good way for me to be involved with athletics without having to exert myself,” he joked, “but I enjoy what I do. Watching the kids who have significant injuries get back on the court and excel is my favorite part of this job.”

“Coach Brox has been a huge help,” Campus Coordinator Ricklan Holmes said, “in me transitioning to the new position, with Rank One and other athletic concerns.” 


November/December 2023


Chisholm Trail Assistant Football/Head Boys Track and Field Coach Delt Cockrell is one of two recipients for the joint month of November/December. Coming down all the way from Amarillo, Texas Coach Cockrell is in his first year as a Ranger. “I have a lot of pride for being named Coach of the Month,” Coach Cockrell admitted. “I love my job and I work really hard at it, so it’s good to have people noticing all of the effort.” Cockrell spent his first two years in EMS ISD at Ed Willkie Middle School before transitioning to the gold and purple of Chisholm Trail where he now coaches the inside linebackers during the fall and spearheads the practices for track and field athletes in the winter and spring. He is passionate about what he does, especially track, competing in a high school state championship for Panhandle High School alongside being named a four year All-American and a four-time National Champion sprinter during his time at Abilene Christian University. “We’re heading into track season now, so I’m very excited to get this program rolling,” Cockrell said. “I do this job because I love being around the kids, watching them compete, and hopefully we’ll have tons of success that we can get back to the state track meet.”


Chisholm Trail Girls Coordinator and Head Volleyball Coach Janine Smith shares the spotlight for the November/December Coach of the Month award. “This is a very nice honor,” Coach Smith said, “especially as a leader on campus.” Smith lives and breathes volleyball, winning the NCAA Championship for the University of Texas at Austin in 1988 and accumulating 30 years of experience as a coach in places like the University of Colorado and the University of Texas at Arlington. “There’s a lot of work to do,” she said when asked about the preparations being made for next fall season, “but I tell the kids that’s what we’re known for: putting the work in, getting better and surprising people in the fall.” With this can-do attitude, Coach Smith has led the Lady Rangers towards several notable accomplishments, such as a bi-district championship during her third season as head coach and a school record of 26 winning games in the team’s second season in 6A. Not only that, but Coach Smith holds the title as Chisholm Trail’s all-time winner, stacking up over 138 victories and counting. “I’m mostly looking forward to the challenge next season,” she revealed. “Seeing all of the work we put into the team transfer over into a game, and helping these girls grow into independent, strong young women.”

“Coach Smith approaches every day with a championship mindset,” Campus Coordinator Byron Bode said. “She is a great leader of young people and a huge asset to the coaches and athletic programs at Chisholm Trail.”

OCTOBER 2023

Chisholm Trail Head Cross Country/Girls Track and Field Coach Joseph Gifford is the October Spotlight Coach of the Month. Coach Gifford is in his first year as a Ranger, coming to EMS ISD from Peaster ISD. “It’s very nice to be recognized by your peers,” Coach Gifford said. “It’s been a tough year, I’m just thankful and honored that they would think of me.” In his first year at the helm, Gifford led the Ranger Boys Cross Country Team to a third place finish, and the girls team who featured a lot of young talent, took fourth at districts. “These kids did everything I asked of them, and what I know I’ve learned from the best,” he said.” He credits everything he knows to Rebekah James at Canyon Randall, who just led her team to a Regional Championship and to Sean Hargrove, who was at Amarillo Tascosa before moving to Amarillo College to coach cross country. “My dad always taught me not to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “These people are very successful, and I’ve learned so much from them that has helped me along the way.” The Rangers won’t lose very many seniors, and Coach Gifford commented how three of the top five girls are freshmen. A few of those are multi-sport athletes, so cross country will help them in their other sports. Advancing to the regional meet, six of the seven boys that ran set a personal record on a notoriously tough course in Lubbock. “Angel Hernandez was definitely looking down and was with us that day,” Coach Gifford said.   Next up is track, where Gifford will team up with Head Boys Coach Delt Cockrell, as they continue to build upon the successes from prior years. They both have similar coaching philosophies, and the excitement is in the air. “Coach Gifford brings a ton of knowledge and energy with him each day,” Campus Coordinator Byron Bode said. “He is passionate about his work, and is good with kids.” 

SEPTEMBER 2023


Chisholm Trail Assistant Girls Basketball and Softball Coach Lindsey Mercer is the recipient for September. “I am very honored to be nominated,” she said. “I love being at Chisholm Trail, I love the kids, and the family atmosphere here.” During volleyball season she helps out with the books and the clock, and soon she’ll be preparing for the Lady Ranger basketball season on staff with new head coach David Norris. “I am looking forward to this season, teaching the girls everything they need to know to be successful not just as basketball players, but as young women,” she said. Coach Mercer was an all-state basketball player in high school, and she played college basketball at Abilene Christian University. “Coach Mercer has stepped up to drive the volleyball team to their away contests,” Assistant Campus Coordinator Janine Smith said. “Thank you Coach Mercer, for stepping up for the team.” 

AUGUST 2023


Chisholm Trail Head Swimming Coach Lance Cleveland is the recipient for the month of August. “Somebody sees something that I didn’t realize. I didn’t realize I was doing something that people thought was worthy of this award,” he said with a laugh. “But seriously, I am very grateful to receive this award. It really means a lot that they think this much of me.” Excitement is riding high for the 2023-24 Ranger swimmers. There is a plethora of freshman boys on the team this year, and he’s looking forward to seeing what his veteran group of girls can accomplish. “This group is committed, and they’ve looked really good so far this year,” he said. “We have some strong relay teams and are strong in the breaststroke. I am looking forward to watching to see what else pops with our new swimmers, and how the new and returners work together.” The swimming team will kick off their season on Sept. 30 at the Fossil Ridge Relays in Keller. They’ll swim in a few different meets that they haven’t swam in before like the Arlington Invitational in mid-October, while still competing at familiar places like the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, and the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Natatorium. In December, will be the second ever EMS ISD tri meet against sister schools Boswell, and Saginaw which will also serve as their senior night. “Coach Cleveland is a loyal team player who steps up in serving the Chisholm Trail Community,” Head Coach Byron Bode said. “He is dependable and willing to assist in any way he can.” 

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