Lafayette Athletics Director Jeff Nelson knew his new tennis coach, Debbie Swindoll, was a special athlete and intense competitor when he first came in contact with her at a middle school basketball tournament in Pope.
As Nelson prepared to help lead Lafayette’s middle school team to a victory, he saw Swindoll show her skills as a member of Winona’s team and he marveled at how hard Swindoll played the game. It was that drive to be the best coupled with an extensive knowledge in tennis that separated Swindoll from the rest of potential candidates in his search to replace former coach Marty Pearson. It’s also why he was so pleased that his recommendation to hire Swindoll was approved by the Lafayette School Board Tuesday night. (July 7, 2010, Page 6)
