July 1, 2008

BEAUMONT, Texas - On July 9th, Lamar University head women's basketball coach Larry Tidwell, who has spent 34 years coaching collegiate and high school girls athletics in the state of Texas, will receive the Margaret McKown Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Girls Coaches Association at their annual clinic in Arlington, Texas.

"This award is for someone who has contributed to the TGCA outside of the boundaries of high school athletics," TGCA Executive Director Sam Tipton said. "Since Larry has been coaching in the collegiate ranks for the last 18 years, we thought this would be a great way to say thank you for everything that he has done for our organization."

As a high school coach, Tidwell served on the TGCA Board of Directors, All State, All Star, and All Region selection committees. He coached the All Star game in 1991 and has managed the TGCA's summer coaches' school golf tournament since 1983.

Since joining the collegiate ranks, Tidwell has served the association by helping secure clinic speakers for their well-respected annual coaching clinic, served as a speaker on several occasions at the clinic, promoted membership and provided coaching tips and motivational material through monthly e-mails to high school and junior high coaches. Not only has he directed the organization's golf tournament for the last 25 years, but also helped it grow into an annual event of over 250 golfers. He also averages helping a minimum of 25 young coaches per year secure jobs.

Tidwell prides himself in helping graduating high school girls' basketball players find `their niche' in the world of college basketball recruiting, even if they are not coming to Lamar University.

"When the high school coaches of Texas speak, I listen," Tidwell said. "To help one of their players is very satisfying as it will only continue to build a strong network between myself and the high school coaches."

"He has always done everything in his power to make this organization the best it could be," Tipton added. "I wish that every member we had could be as dedicated to the TGCA as he is. He is an ambassador for basketball and there is not a high school coach in Texas that does not know him and we are very happy to honor Larry this way. Larry always makes it a point to recognize the achievements of the high school coaches and players every year and this is much appreciated by those groups."

Tidwell has been named to Hall of Fames at Sanger High School and Austin College, was tabbed as an honorary lifetime member of the PTA, chosen Teacher of the Year on two occasions, selected Citizen of the Year in Schulenburg, Texas in 1991, and earned AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2002.

"I am very fortunate to know Margaret McKown, and know first-hand what great things that she has done for TGCA," stated Tidwell. "Serving out of the spotlight behind TGCA Executive Director Billy McKown for all those years did not go unnoticed by the TGCA membership, and naming a service award in her honor was right on target. To be recognized with an award with her name on it is very humbling and much appreciated. And, serving the TGCA for many years in many capacities has been a privilege and it's something that I would never change as it has led to many friendships that have impacted my life.

"Likewise, the leadership displayed by McKown and Tipton and the girls' high school coaches of Texas is something that I wanted to be a part of. There is never a traffic jam on the extra mile, and that is what those directors and coaches do. They go the extra mile to recognize, fight for, and reward the high school female athlete. It takes a special person to do that, and those are the people that I want to be associated with."

Tidwell, who just finished his first year at Lamar University, led the Lady Cardinals to a 19-13 season mark and their first winning season in 13 years while capturing the Southland Conference East Division title for the first time in school history. Lamar also advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament championship game for the first time in school history and fell just short of advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

The 19 wins represents the 7th most victories in the school's 39 year history of playing women's basketball, and the 12 wins in conference play represents the second most in that era. Likewise, Lamar showed a dramatic increase in academic success as their team GPA is hovering around the 3.0 range with student athletes being named to the President's Honor Roll, the Dean's List, and the Southland Conference All Academic team.

Tidwell's first recruiting class at Lamar was ranked as the 31st best in the country by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.

"Being a high school coach definitely prepared me for this job," he said. "I would encourage all levels of coaches to be active in the TGCA and TABC (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) as it will not only increase your knowledge of the game, but will teach you the valuable lesson of service above self."