Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - 17-year King coach Medina retiring after school year

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Friday, April 7, 2000

17-year King coach Medina retiring after school year

By George Vondracek
Caller-Times
Julie Medina, who led the girls basketball team at King High School to nine playoff berths and a spot in the Class 5A championship game in 1993, is retiring, effective the end of the school year.
   Medina, 40, spent all of her 17 years coaching at King. She was the Lady Mustangs' head coach for the last 14 years after serving as Rick Pinson's assistant for three seasons.
   "It's just that I've got two boys, one freshman and one in the sixth grade. I've spent 17 years taking care of other people's kids and I just felt like it was time to start taking care of them," Medina said Thursday night. "It's what's best for me right now and for my kids."
   Medina compiled a 296-126 record with the Lady Mustangs. But the lure of continuing to raise her sons Cole and Tyler outweighs a pursuit of a 300th victory, Medina said.
   "It's never been about that. To me, it's never been about that," Medina said. "It's been the impact that I can look back at and see I might have had on my players."
   Nor is her retirement based on health reasons, she said. Ten years ago, Medina waged a successful battle against lymphoblastic lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects lymphoid tissue.
   "I'm as healthy as can be," Medina said. "Who knew a few years ago I'd still be here? June will be 10 years that I've finished chemo. That's a huge barrier. That's a huge milestone in regards to cancer."
   Jim Elam, who in January returned to King as athletics coordinator and football coach after six years at Moody, said replacing Medina would be difficult.
   "This is a lady that I admired when I was an assistant at King. I've always admired her when I was at Moody," Elam said. "She's a great woman and a tremendous coach. It's going to be hard to replace her and it's weighing heavy on me."
   Ray's Dave Dunlap, who just completed his 22nd season and is the dean of Corpus Christi Independent School District basketball coaches, also said replacing Medina will be a tough task.
   "Julie has done a great job at King High School and we're going to miss her," said Dunlap, whose Lady Texans beat King, 48-41, in overtime for the third and final District 28-5A playoff berth this season. "She's always been very competitive and her teams are very well coached."
   Medina met with her players Thursday and told them of her decision.
   "Basketball's been my life for 26 years. I played my first game when I was 14," Medina said. "I believe I'm closing the chapter on basketball for Julie Medina. What do they say? 'Never say never.' But I've had a fantastic career and fantastic kids."


Staff Writer George Vondracek can be reached at 886-3731 or by e-mail at vondracekg@caller.com

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