In a world where sportsmanship sometimes takes a backseat to winning at all costs, a coach at Coppell High School stands out as a shining example of integrity and ethical leadership. 

Coppell tennis coach Alyssa Noonan recently was presented with the prestigious 2023 Texas Tennis Coach Association Kim Enocksen Integrity Award. The accolade not only celebrates her coaching abilities but also acknowledges Noonan’s commitment to honesty and moral principles both on and off the tennis courts.

The Kim Enockesen Integrity Award is given to a tennis coach displaying qualities of honesty, strong moral principles and great ethics in the game and life.

“Coach Noonan exemplifies sportsmanship well and creates a friendly environment for the team to feel comfortable in,” Coppell junior tennis player Ansh Aitha said. “It is clear that she prioritizes the significance of having integrity which sets a positive tone and support system for our team, as a whole.”

With seven years of coaching experience, Noonan brings her knowledge to the Coppell tennis program. However, her integrity extends far beyond her coaching career; it’s deeply rooted in her personal values.

“Integrity has always been really important to me as a person, as a player and also as a coach,” Noonan said. “It’s a choice we make every day, and I firmly believe that playing with integrity not only makes victory sweeter but also builds character.”

In tennis, where there are no referees like in other sports, integrity is a crucial value to maintain during matches. Each player is responsible for calling their own shots and being fair. Noonan’s emphasis on integrity ensures a level playing field while instilling the importance of having respect for the game.

“Both Coach Noonan and I are out here at the tennis center all day, so we have plenty of time to discuss the ins and outs of what strategies we want to have the players implement within their matches at the upcoming tournaments for them to be as successful as possible,” assistant tennis coach Chris Terry said. “Supporting her is easy because she makes each decision ethically and our players experience dealing with other teams who make bad calls during matches, so she is a good example of having positive integrity.” 

Whether it is during practice or a match, Noonan encourages each player to hold the values that will serve them well beyond the tennis court’s confines.

“As a player, I had the privilege of being coached by many incredible individuals who greatly influenced my life,” Noonan said. “Making a positive impact on all players within my program has been the most important to me since becoming a coach; I tell each of my players every day, ‘You’re here and you matter.’”

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