LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – After an illustrious 33-year career in teaching and coaching volleyball at Sam Houston, Rene Fontenot has officially retired
The legendary coach finishes her career 821-414 overall, with 19 state tournament appearances, 10 semifinal matches, and a pair of runner-up seasons.
Now as she has finished her career, she is just now realizing the total impact that she made.
“I probably haven’t realized it until this year when people have expressed how they feel because you don’t get much of the good stuff,” said Fontenot. “I’m gonna enjoy being on the flip side because I’ve always said the best seat in the house is not in the hot seat, it’s not in the coach’s seat, it’s being the fan in the stands where you can just enjoy the game and celebrate the wins that you see young people getting, so I can’t wait to sit on the other side of the gym.”
This past Friday, the Broncos made it to their first semi-final since 2009, and even though they lost to Ben Franklin 3-1, Fontenot will forever look back on the relationships she has made with her players.
“I love them so much, it’s far beyond just the volleyball player, it’s them in their personal choices, in their academic life, and their family life, in their spiritual life, and so I feel like I know them not just on the surface,” said Fontenot. “Whenever it’s at a close, you don’t get that anymore and that will be the hardest thing, I’ve just had such good kids, I can’t wait to see what they do in the future.”
Rene will move on to the next chapter of her life as she will put more time into being the Aquatics Director at Ward 3. Her goal is to give people in need affordable swim lessons to lower the rate of drownings in the lake area.
“People can pay their one dollar for swim instruction and not have to pay $50 to $100, which just in today’s climate isn’t affordable for everybody,” said Fontenot. “Everybody should have access to it, I’ve taught so long, I can teach anybody how to swim, and what a great gift because that can stop that chain where maybe someone didn’t have access to instruction or to swim in safe areas.”
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