Kristi Mayes, a teacher and coach at Godley High School, was among 15 distinguished recipients of the 2023 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award by the University Interscholastic League on January 26, 2024.

The award celebrates outstanding sponsors who have demonstrated unparalleled commitment to students’ extracurricular development in Texas.  Winners were selected by a panel of judges in the areas of academics, athletics and music from nominations by school principals and superintendents across the state.

Mayes, who coaches basketball and softball, teaches English and sponsors the school’s FCA. 

“I believe students who compete learn to advocate for themselves, understand the importance of collaboration with others and embrace individual growth and development,” she said. Through competition, students are also privy to learning how to manage successes and failures, adapting when adversity strikes and encouraging others to rise above their own expectations.”

With a 24-year career with stops previously in Stephenville and Brock, Mayes has coached girls basketball her entire career and has led her teams to 10 district titles, eight regional semifinals, three regional finals, and one state championship. Mayes has also been a softball coach for 15 years, leading her squads to five district titles, 11 area appearances, and two regional quarterfinal appearances. She has coached boys and girls cross country for 10 years, winning nine combined district titles, advancing to 19 regional meets and three state appearances. Mayes has also coached track and field and volleyball, as well as coaching academics in headline writing. Throughout her career she has also been deeply engaged in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Fields of Faith.

The award, now in its 33rd year, was created to identify and recognize outstanding sponsors who enable students to develop and refine their extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the education system.

“The commitment and dedication of sponsors, coaches and directors, exemplified by these award winners, are the driving force behind the invaluable benefits of interscholastic competition and student performance,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “The UIL takes pride in acknowledging and honoring these exceptional individuals with this prestigious award.”

Each winner will receive $1,000 and a symbolic memento from the UIL in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the pursuit of educational excellence through interscholastic competition.