The LISD Board of Trustees approved the promotion of Mary Elizabeth Encinas to Assistant Athletic Director during the Board of Trustees meeting on July 18. Encinas, who previously served as the Girls’ Basketball Coach and Assistant Athletic Campus Coordinator at Cigarroa High School, joins the Athletic Department team as the district’s new Assistant Athletic Director.
Over the last 12 years, Encinas has been a Career and Technical Education teacher and Head Girls Basketball, Volleyball, and Track Coach at Salvador Garcia Middle School, Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach at United High School, and most recently Girls’ Basketball Coach at Cigarroa High School. While at Cigarroa, Encinas won three District Championships, four Bi-District Championships, three Area Championships and three Regional Quarterfinals appearances.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the students of Laredo ISD in the capacity of Assistant Athletic Director,” said Encinas. “I want to thank my husband, children, and my parents for their tremendous support throughout my journey. I would also like to thank our former Athletic Director, Sylvia Barrera for her selfless leadership, guidance, and support in preparing me to take on this role. Barrera with Coach Luis Escamilla and Coach Richard Alaniz have been instrumental in my growth and transition to this new role, and I am grateful for their trust as I embark on a new endeavor with them.”
“Assistant Athletic Director Mary Encinas has a unique gift to offer the world. She embraces a passion for lifelong learners and her experience as a successful head coach and assistant campus coordinator will create positive impacts in the athletic department,” said Luis Escamilla, LISD Athletic Director. “Her ability to bring out the best in each player will now foster a winning mentality in other athletic programs throughout Laredo ISD.”
Encinas is a product of LISD schools. She attended Tarver Elementary School, Lamar Middle School and is a proud graduate of the Nixon High School Class of 2006. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management in 2010 and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Educational Leadership 2023 from TAMIU.
Coach Encinas will oversee high school and middle school volleyball, high school and middle school basketball, tennis, and the programming for physical education. In addition, she will be responsible for middle school coordinators and assistant coaches, and assist with the budget process.