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To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to express my thanks to the people of Arkadelphia. I am being inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, but without Arkadelphia, this would not be happening. First, I give glory to God. He is the reason for my success. My family has also been so supportive. I am very proud of who they are and what they have done. Trinity Temple Assembly of God has supported me with prayers all these years.
I have been blessed to have worked or been in school at both universities as well as the Arkadelphia Public Schools. I have also been blessed to work and coach with great people under the Parks and Recreation program. The memories that I have made and friendships I have developed because of this are priceless. It started at Ouachita Baptist University where I received my undergraduate degree. I had coaches there who helped me get a foundation. The chair of the Physical Education program, who was also the volleyball coach, took time to help me learn about volleyball. To the current athletic director there, thank you for teaching me about supporting people no matter which institution they are from.
Thank you to the players who have played for me at Arkadelphia High School. You are the reason we won all those championships, who put in the hard work. Parents and family members, thank you for allowing me to be the coach of your daughter or relative. I am still appreciative of the administration that hired me at Arkadelphia, the board members who visited with me and offered me advice and the superintendent who supported women’s sports. A special thanks to my principal who supported me, mentored me, and always had an encouraging word.
The athletic director then was a guiding light teaching me how to set high goals and nurture success from young athletes. The athletic director now has also shown me support and loyalty and continued my belief in the pride of the Badgers and Lady Badgers.
How can I thank the Arkadelphia coaching staff for teaching me about coaching styles, working with individuals and friendships that have lasted a lifetime? Thank you to the coaching mentors who gave me direction off the court. The staff, teachers, bus crew, custodial crew, secretaries of the Arkadelphia Public School District took time to help me and I thank you.
Thanks to Henderson State for helping me be successful. This award is a tribute to you. Thank you to the president who hired me and wanted so much for women in sports. This thank you is extended to the current President and his enthusiasm for the future of our university. I was blessed to work for athletic directors at Henderson State that taught me about caring for people past the competitiveness of the program. They are men of integrity. The coaching staff here and the department’s secretary have cared for my family past the program. The past and current Chairs of the HPER department as well as the whole department here at HSU and secretary have taught me about the importance of the student in the learning process. To all the custodial staff that have taken time to visit with me and know me as a person I want to thank you. To be honest, I have learned from all of the Henderson State University Community. Many of you have taken time from your jobs and shared a story or comment that has gone a long way in helping me have a better day and become a become a better person. The players that have played for me at Henderson State University are the ones that have created the dynasty of MTXE (Mental Toughness Extra Effort) and you are very special people to me. However, I must thank the female coaches that went before me at Henderson State University and paved the way for me to even have a chance at success. You are the legends and I thank you. To the Associate Athletic Director at Henderson State, you are a rare jewel. You have taught me so much about how to be professional on the job but yet how to balance family life.
To all of my ladies that I have coached at Arkadelphia Public Schools and at Henderson State University, you are to be commended. You are the success stories of the programs. Always know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Oh ... by the way ... I would still run you now!
Thank you, Arkadelphia. Thank you to the Sports Information Department at HSU for the coverage and all the coverage over the years from our local paper. Thank you to the businesses that support and have supported my programs. Thank you to the fans that come out and show me support no matter if we win or lose. Thank you for teaching me about all the things that helped me get to where I am now. I love coaching and hope that you will always continue to be part of my continued coaching career here in Arkadelphia. God bless you all and I hope I did not leave anyone out because you are all worthy of my award. In reality, Arkadelphia, it is your award.
(Also thanks to all of my student managers.)
Rhonda Thigpen
Arkadelphia
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to express my thanks to the people of Arkadelphia. I am being inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, but without Arkadelphia, this would not be happening. First, I give glory to God. He is the reason for my success. My family has also been so supportive. I am very proud of who they are and what they have done. Trinity Temple Assembly of God has supported me with prayers all these years.
I have been blessed to have worked or been in school at both universities as well as the Arkadelphia Public Schools. I have also been blessed to work and coach with great people under the Parks and Recreation program. The memories that I have made and friendships I have developed because of this are priceless. It started at Ouachita Baptist University where I received my undergraduate degree. I had coaches there who helped me get a foundation. The chair of the Physical Education program, who was also the volleyball coach, took time to help me learn about volleyball. To the current athletic director there, thank you for teaching me about supporting people no matter which institution they are from.
Thank you to the players who have played for me at Arkadelphia High School. You are the reason we won all those championships, who put in the hard work. Parents and family members, thank you for allowing me to be the coach of your daughter or relative. I am still appreciative of the administration that hired me at Arkadelphia, the board members who visited with me and offered me advice and the superintendent who supported women’s sports. A special thanks to my principal who supported me, mentored me, and always had an encouraging word.
The athletic director then was a guiding light teaching me how to set high goals and nurture success from young athletes. The athletic director now has also shown me support and loyalty and continued my belief in the pride of the Badgers and Lady Badgers.
How can I thank the Arkadelphia coaching staff for teaching me about coaching styles, working with individuals and friendships that have lasted a lifetime? Thank you to the coaching mentors who gave me direction off the court. The staff, teachers, bus crew, custodial crew, secretaries of the Arkadelphia Public School District took time to help me and I thank you.
Thanks to Henderson State for helping me be successful. This award is a tribute to you. Thank you to the president who hired me and wanted so much for women in sports. This thank you is extended to the current President and his enthusiasm for the future of our university. I was blessed to work for athletic directors at Henderson State that taught me about caring for people past the competitiveness of the program. They are men of integrity. The coaching staff here and the department’s secretary have cared for my family past the program. The past and current Chairs of the HPER department as well as the whole department here at HSU and secretary have taught me about the importance of the student in the learning process. To all the custodial staff that have taken time to visit with me and know me as a person I want to thank you. To be honest, I have learned from all of the Henderson State University Community. Many of you have taken time from your jobs and shared a story or comment that has gone a long way in helping me have a better day and become a become a better person. The players that have played for me at Henderson State University are the ones that have created the dynasty of MTXE (Mental Toughness Extra Effort) and you are very special people to me. However, I must thank the female coaches that went before me at Henderson State University and paved the way for me to even have a chance at success. You are the legends and I thank you. To the Associate Athletic Director at Henderson State, you are a rare jewel. You have taught me so much about how to be professional on the job but yet how to balance family life.
To all of my ladies that I have coached at Arkadelphia Public Schools and at Henderson State University, you are to be commended. You are the success stories of the programs. Always know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Oh ... by the way ... I would still run you now!
Thank you, Arkadelphia. Thank you to the Sports Information Department at HSU for the coverage and all the coverage over the years from our local paper. Thank you to the businesses that support and have supported my programs. Thank you to the fans that come out and show me support no matter if we win or lose. Thank you for teaching me about all the things that helped me get to where I am now. I love coaching and hope that you will always continue to be part of my continued coaching career here in Arkadelphia. God bless you all and I hope I did not leave anyone out because you are all worthy of my award. In reality, Arkadelphia, it is your award.
(Also thanks to all of my student managers.)
Rhonda Thigpen
Arkadelphia
