Inspired by their coach, former Northwest basketball players now working as teachers

Barry Hawkins has enjoyed a lot of success as a coach, first with girls basketball at Justin Northwest High School for 11 years and then as the head golf coach at Trophy Club Nelson for the past 16.

That success includes winning a girls state golf championship in 2009, the first team state championship in Northwest school district history.

But ask him about his greatest success and he will respond that it is not what he accomplished with great players, but in the effect he had on their lives outside the arena.

Eight of Hawkins’ former basketball players followed him into the world of teaching. Not only that, they are teaching in the Northwest school district.

“It is an incredible feeling to know that so many have played for me and have decided to come back and teach in the same district,” Hawkins said. “I only hope I had some type of influence on that. Attempting to have some type of impact is one of the biggest reasons why I chose my profession.”

Along with coaching, Hawkins taught English for 16 years at Northwest and for a year at Nelson. Since then, he has taught creative writing or literary genres at Nelson.

India Williams Lee, who attended Northwest from 2004-06, returned to the district in 2016. She previously taught seventh-grade math and now teaches elementary physical education, working to instill in her students the same principles Hawkins taught her. For example, it’s not always the most talented who wins the game.

“Coach Hawk taught us discipline, how to work hard and play harder. He taught us to never give up and that quality practice leads to success,” she said.

Kelly Copp Azbell, who played from 2003-07, said Hawkins inspired her to become a teacher and coach.

Though she was 5-foot-3 and lacked natural athletic talent, she said, Hawkins saw something in her that even she didn’t see. That, she said, led to her success on the court and now in the classroom. She started teaching in Northwest in 2011 and teaches kindergarten at Berkshire Elementary School.

“He would always tell me if you put in the work you will play. He taught me to use my strengths and that hard work pays off, and it did as he coached us and led us to our area championship title,” Azbell said.

Kathleen Dunikoski Withers helped the Lady Texans to a district championship in 1998. She later returned to work with Hawkins as a freshmen basketball coach and PE teacher. She now teaches PE at Schluter Elementary.

“As a player, Coach Hawkins expected me to be my best everyday. No excuses. I have carried that over as a teacher. I must give my best everyday to my students,” Withers said.

Hawkins’ influence, it turns out, is multi-generational, Azbell said.

“At the time he inspired me and gave me a passion to pursue my teaching career, but now as I have a daughter who will also play for Northwest High School next year, I find myself even more appreciative of what he taught me,” she said.

She also hasn’t given up on her dream of following in his footsteps as a coach.

“As a mom of three kids and their busy athletic schedules I wasn’t able to pursue the coaching aspect at this point, but it’s still something I want to do someday and will definitely lean on the knowledge and inspiration that Coach Hawkins taught me during my high school years,” she said.

Hawkins admits he has no idea how much longer he will keep inspiring students. He knows retirement is right around the corner, but when he will turn that corner, who knows?

“That is a very good question that a number of people who I am close with want to know the answer to, especially my wife,” he said with a chuckle. “I don’t have an answer right now.

“I love what I do. I love my players, students, and the staff that I work for and with. I just wonder how many people are able to say that in their career of choice.

“I smile when I think about my parents in heaven above and what they must be thinking about with all of this because they know me and how I internalize things and how emotional I get. It makes me teary eyed.”

Returning to Northwest

These former Northwest school district athletes who played for Barry Hawkins have returned to the school district as teachers.

• India Williams Lee, 2004-06

• Kathleen Dunikoski Withers, 1993-98, including one year of junior high

• Nicole Browning Matlock, 2003-2007

• Colleen Redmond Main, 2004-2007

• Kelly Copp Azbell, 2003-2007

• Brittany Barnhill Redden, 2004-2007

• Kristin Zimmerer Beaty, 2004-2007

• Kristin Tidwell Thompson, 2001-2002