FWC Alumni Newsletter - February 2024

Newsletter

FWC Alumni Newsletter - February 2024

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FWC ALUMS COACHING IN COLLEGE (& BEYOND!)

Did you know FWC has many alumni who are or who have coached at the college or professional level? We imagine dozens of our alums coaching at the middle and high school level (some right here at FWC), but to coach at the university or professional level is big time! Below are the names we know . . . if we missed you or someone you know, please email alumni@fwc.org and we can update the article!

Luke Alexander '13 Kilgore College Assistant Football Coach
Kayla English ' 11 Southern Arkansas University Assistant Softball Coach
Curtis Fuller '96 Coastal Carolina Cornerbacks Coach
Chris Grotemat '99 LeTourneau University Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach
Scott Symons '04 SMU Defensive Coordinator
Cecily Woolfolk '16 Hardin-Simmons University Assistant Basketball Coach
Kat (Kundmueller) Owens '06 Clemson University Director of Presidential Programs and Events - Office of the President Former: Assistant Coach at Faulkner, Presbyterian College and University of Memphis; Coordinator of Recruiting - Women's Basketball
Crystal Ndidi Ibe '09 Texas Southern University Former: Assistant Volleyball Coach
Cade Garcia '18 Texas A&M Former: Strength & Conditioning Coach
Tobias Jahn - FWC Alumni ‘05 Langen Basketball - Germany Professional Coach

ALUMNI FEATURE: ARMANDO FITZ, JR. '17

Armando Fitz Jr. attended Fort Worth Christian during his Junior and Senior years of high school, graduating with the class of 2017. "I’m very grateful for my years at FWC," added Armando. "I truly believe I would not be the man I am today without the influence of my teachers, coaches, and friends I had while being there."

A huge highlight for Armando, of course, was being part of the 2015 State Championship Football Team!

After graduating from FWC, football took him to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, to play college football for the Bulldogs. At the end of his first year, he realized he missed Texas life and wanted to move back home. He was fortunate enough to transfer to SMU in Dallas. He walked on to the football team but earned a scholarship after his first season with the Mustangs. He had the honor to be a part of the first winning team SMU had since the death penalty back in the 80s. While at SMU, he studied Applied Physiology & Sports Management, graduating with Honors, and was an Academic All-American his Junior and Senior years of college.

Shortly after graduation, he went into Sales & Project Management, working with his father Armando Fitz Sr. at UniWell Laboratories in Fort Worth. Working under his father for a year helped him to learn the business & industry of Contract Manufacturing for Nutraceuticals. At the beginning of 2022, he decided to take a leave of absence from UniWell for eight months so he could travel the world.

Armando backpacked between continents, going on all different types of adventures. He had the opportunity to see the Great Pyramids in Egypt, sailed down the Nile, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and was in the Amazon Rain Forest in South America. He also had an amazing time traveling around Europe with his sister.

Once he returned to Texas in August of 2022, he had the chance to join the coaching staff at FWC. He helped coach the Tight Ends & Special Teams and got to see our 2023 team make it to the State Semi-Final game. As much as he loves coaching football and experiencing the excitement that comes with the team, he committed to join UniWell at the beginning of 2023.

Throughout this year, he has worked for UniWell continuing with Sales & Project Management. They manufacture a Stem Cell product in their facility that ships worldwide. "I had the idea to take that concept and develop a Stem Cell formula for Pets," added Armando. "So, I partnered with my father and Aaron Pascal, and together with the help of a top Stem Cell Researcher Scientist, we developed one of the world’s top Stem Cell formulas. Our product is called New Cell Pets, and we are planning to launch this year.

Armando shares a little information about this new effort. "New Cell Pets New Cell Pets is a second-to-none Stem Cell enhancer for your everyday pets. Our formula was created by a world-renowned Stem Cell Research Scientist who has years of formulating experience under his belt. It’s a unique blend of natural ingredients and flavoring (Beef Liver or Salmon). Our scientifically proven and undisputable formula can help your best friend overcome a variety of different illnesses. Not only does it help cure, but it promotes a well-balanced everyday life for your pets, making them as healthy as possible. Our product is 100% natural, 100% GMO-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, sugar-free, and uses clinically proven ingredients. Improve your pet’s health for just a few dollars a day."

ALUMNI RECOGNITION

Two FWC alumni were recently recognized with special industry awards. Lance Barrow '73 was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Family. Tiffany Van Hoose '14 was announced as among thirty inductees into the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 Program.

Lance started his career at CBS Sports as a spotter for Pat Summerall in 1976. He worked for CBS Sports his entire career until his retirement in 2020. He served as the coordinating producer of CBS Sports Golf and produced all of their golf coverage from 1997-2020. He also served as the coordinating producer of The NFL on CBS and lead game producer from 2004-2017. The 13-time Emmy Award winner has produced the Masters, the PGA Championship, PGA Tour golf, four Super Bowls including Super Bowl 50, NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Olympic Winter Games, Daytona 500, and worked the US Open Tennis Championships, and on The NFL Today. Lance was inducted alongside nine other great sports broadcasting names including Val Ackerman, Big East Conference commissioner and first president of the WNBA, Cris Collinsworth, NBC Sunday Night Football analyst, and Ernie Johnson Jr., long-time NBA on TNT studio-show host. Congratulations, Lance!

Tiffany spearheaded a historic season for the Lady Eagles soccer team in 2023. This marked the Abilene, Texas team's first journey to the regional semifinals since 2001, a feat made even more impressive considering their recent struggle on the field, with only eight wins in the two seasons preceding Van Hoose's arrival. The team soared, finishing with an 18-4-2 record, clinching their first district title in nearly three decades, and securing a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Tiffany is in an elite class of coaches. In this 30-for-30 list, there is 1 professional coach,16 college coaches, 11 youth coaches, and only 2 high school coaches. Congratulations, Tiffany!

JOB UPDATE? RECEIVE A SPECIAL AWARD?

Share your success with your FWC classmates!