Chris Woodard, Head Coach of the Tyler Legacy High School girls’ soccer team for more than three decades, was inducted into the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches (TASCO) Hall of Honor at Moody Gardens in Galveston in front of his family and coaching staff.
Coach Woodard has led the girls’ soccer program since its inception in 1993, and as the first and only coach of the Lady Raiders, he found success almost immediately. The Lady Raiders won the district championship in each of its first 12 seasons (1993-2004), making the Tyler Legacy program one of the most respected in the state. Over his career, Woodard has amassed a record of 478 victories, 168 losses, and 57 ties. Under his watch, the Lady Raiders have won 19 district championships, made 29 playoff appearances, and only finished outside of first or second overall in the district four times in 32 seasons.
Coach Woodard expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’m overwhelmingly thankful to the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches for recognizing my career. I am thankful to Tyler ISD for having me this long. It’s been a wonderful journey.” He reflected on his time leading the Tyler Legacy girls’ soccer program, “I’ve coached a lot of great players and am extremely grateful to have coached this long. Being in the same district my whole career has been a blessing. “
Woodard also had a large impact off the field, as he has helped usher more than 75 former players into signing to play collegiate soccer. Two of his former players have re-joined him on the coaching staff as well, with Sara Hernandez (Class of 2002) returning as a Varsity Assistant Coach in 2009, where she remains today, and Myranda Sanders (Class of 1999), who has coached three seasons under Woodard.
For more information, contact Reese Lannon at Reese.Lannon@tylerisd.org.