This year marked the 73rd year of the BISD Gulf Coast Relays where teams have historically come from all over south Texas and sometimes beyond to compete in these track and field competitions. Four years ago, the athletic coaches decided that they would like to add another layer to this already traditional event by naming Honorary Meet Directors. In 2020, Former Freeport High student and retired Brazoswood Coach James "Bo" Lander and former Exporter and retire BISD Administrator Johnnie Redden selected as the first BISD Gulf Coast Relays Honorary Meet Directors inductees. 2021 saw retired Brazoswood Coach Sheila Austin and retired Brazosport Coach and former Exporter Ricky Wright honored as the Gulf Coast Relays Honorary Meet Directors. Last year, 2022, BISD inducted former track coach and retired Brazosport Principal Doug Boone and former Brazoswood athlete Dartwan Bush - Texas Tech standout on the gridiron - receiving the honorary distinctions. The rich tradition continued this for the 73rd BISD Gulf Coast Relays.
This year BISD’s first honoree was Greta Henderson Luce, a distinguished athlete and former coach who made significant contributions to sports and education in our community. Greta graduated from Brazoswood High School in 1974, where she excelled in track and basketball. Her outstanding performance in the high jump earned her four All-State trips, tying for first place and earning two second place finishes and one third place finish. Henderson set records at track meets throughout the gulf coast area in the high jump, was the last leg of the mile relay team that won district all 4 years and was an outstanding 400m runner.
During her senior year, Greta was the only athlete from Brazoswood High School who qualified for the State meet, demonstrating her exceptional skills and dedication to her sport. She was also a 3-year letterman for the Buccette Basketball team and received All-District Basketball honors in her junior and senior years.
Henderson was also a varsity cheerleader 3 years in a row for the Buccaneers at a time when only one girl and one boy was selected as cheerleaders for grades 10-12. Greta served as the head cheerleader her senior year.
Greta credits her success to the support of her coaches, Ms. Tolbert and Mr. Hackney, as well as her family, who cheered her on at every game and meet. She also acknowledges the valuable lessons she learned from the upperclassmen in her freshman year, who provided her with the support and guidance she needed to excel.
Hopper Field was Greta's favorite stadium to run and jump in, a testament to the fond memories she made there during her time at Brazoswood High School. After graduation, Greta attended Brazosport College and the University of Houston CLC, where she earned a degree in Humanities.
Greta's passion for sports and education led her to coach volleyball, basketball, track, and cheerleaders at Clute Intermediate School
Luce dedicated a great deal of her time as an adult to heading the Women of St. Michael’s organization, serving on the SIDS Gala Committee as well as assisting other philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. Greta Henderson Luce was also an original founder of the BISD Education Foundation, which supports innovative educational programs for students in Brazosport Independent School District.
Overall, Greta Henderson Luce's achievements as an athlete and coach, as well as her dedication to education, serve as an inspiration to her community and beyond.Greta is married to Jay Bart Luce and they have 2 adult children, April Luce Mote and Jayson Luce - both public school educators. Greta also has 2 granddaughters, Maci and McKinley, who, much like their grandmother, are outstanding athletes.
Congratulations to Honorary Track Meet Director Mrs. Greta Henderson Luce!
BISD’s next 2023 Gulf Coast Honorary Meet Director was a Brazosport High School standout, Mr. Raymond Waddy. Raymond Waddy Jr. attended public school in the Brazosport I.S.D. school system. Raymond was a 1975 graduate of Brazosport High School and he was an outstanding athlete playing football, baseball and running track. After graduating from Brazosport, Raymond attended Wharton County Jr. College on a full athletic scholarship, where he excelled in football and track.
Raymond later transferred to Texas A&I University in Kingsville, where he also lettered in football and track. Raymond was named captain of the track team his senior year for the Javelinas. He earned his B.S. Secondary Education/Biology degree from Texas A&I. Raymond’s accolades at Texas A&I led to him playing in the NFL. Raymond signed as an undrafted free-agent in 1979 with the Washington Redskins, where he played 3 seasons. In 1983 Raymond moved to Canada to play for the Edmonton Eskimos and British Columbia Lions in the CFL.
In 1984, Raymond moved back to the states to continue his career in the USFL (United States Football League) with the San Antonio Gunslingers until March of 1985. In August of 1985, Mr. Waddy accepted his first teaching and coaching position at Rockport-Fulton H.S., Rockport, Texas. He later moved to Houston in 1990 to take a position in the Aldine I.S.D. He spent nearly 8 years in Aldine. Raymond later accepted the Defensive Coordinator’s position at Westfield H.S. in Spring I.S.D. Raymond would spend 7 years at Westfield before taking the Head Boys Track and Assistant Football coach position at Conroe H.S. in 2004. After spending 2 years in Conroe, Raymond became the Defensive Coordinator and Track Coach at Northland Christian H.S. where he remained until 2010.
Raymond returned to his hometown community to serve in Brazosport ISD where he has spent the last 13 years of career. Raymond’s education and coaching career spans over 38 years. During that time Mr. Waddy has mentored and impacted thousands of young men and women. He is a career educator and life learner. Raymond Waddy is also an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Rho Xi Chapter) whose purpose is to serve and uplift communities around the world.
Raymond is married to Rosalind Waddy and they have two adult children. Ray 46 and Nucomme 44.
Unfortunately, Mr. Waddy could not join us for the ceremony, but his wife Rosalind stood in his stead as the Honorary Track Meet Director.
Our third Honorary Track Meet Director for the 73rd BISD Gulf Coast Relays is someone that is well known in BISD and amongst Texas coaches, Mr. Alan Weddell. Coach Alan Weddell was a 1968-69 Brazosport Exporter senior football player coached by head coach Harden Cooper and also by none other than L.Z. Bryan, before the legendary coach took the reins as head coach of the Brazoswood High School.
As a freshman in junior high, Alan ran track for the then Lake Jackson Junior High Panthers’ team. As he approached his senior year in high school and with his dedication to football, Weddell’s size precluded his running and Alan transitioned from a runner to a shotput and discus thrower for the Exporters.
The Exporter offensive lineman was sought after by many colleges, but Alan decided that the University of Texas was the school for him. Playing for the University of Texas Longhorns under renowned Head Coach Darrell Royal, Weddell helped his team win the 1970 National Championship.
Weddell earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and went on to earn his Master’s degree in Education and Administration from the University of Houston, Victoria.
L.Z. Bryan's influence stayed with Weddell when he graduated from U of T, as he chose to come back to Brazoria County as an assistant coach for the Angleton Wildcats. From there, Alan went to Victoria High School as an assistant coach, then took the reins as their head coach in 1982. While as the head coach for Victoria, Coach Weddell guided the Stingarees to a 47-32-1 record, winning 2 district championships, and was twice named the District 26-5A coach of the year. Coach Weddell then decided to leave Victoria in 1990 for bigger challenges.
From 1990 to 1997, Weddell transformed the La Marque Cougar football program into a perennial Texas football powerhouse winning three consecutive Class 4A State titles and qualifying for the State finals five straight seasons, with a noteworthy 103-13 record and six district crowns. Coach Weddell was named District Coach of the Year six times and the Galveston County Coach of the Year three times.
Again, choosing another challenge, Alan Weddell made the jump to college coaching at Texas A&M, under distinguished Head Coach R.C. Slocum, to assist the defensive coordinator as middle linebackers coach. At Texas A&M, Weddell helped coach four Bowl teams, including the 1998 Big 12 Championship Team. Alan then joined the staff at the University of Houston, originally as the linebackers coach, going on to become their defensive coordinator in 2006.
Alan Weddell’s life circled back to the Brazosport area to serve as Brazoswood’s defensive coordinator. While back in BISD, Weddell coached and mentored young athletes, then served 3 years as BISD’s Athletic Director, until his retirement – well, sort of. Coach Weddell can still be found volunteering for the Buccaneers, still assisting young athletes around the district, and helping out in many of the athletic programs in BISD schools.
Coach Weddell, one of the most successful high school coaches in Texas, was inducted into the prestigious Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2018.
Alan has one son, Mark, who is a personal trainer and athlete.
Former BISD Athletic Director Coach Alan Weddell, was our third and final Honorary Gulf Coast Meet Director for the 73rd BISD Gulf Coast Relays.
The 73rd BISD Gulf Coast Relays was held on Friday, March 3, 2023, and the planning for the 74th BISD Gulf Coast Relays has already begun!
Pictured: BISD A.D. Jay Zeller, BISD Assist Supt. Jay Whitehead, Honoree Greta Henderson Luce, Rosalind Waddy for her husband Raymond, Honoree Alan Weddell, BISD Board Asst. Secretary Joe Rinehart, and BISD Assist. Supt Richard Yoes