GPS Inducts 5 Into Athletic Hall Of Fame

  • Thursday, April 18, 2019
GPS inducted five into its Athletic Hall of Fame. From left, Heather Parman Miller ‘09, volleyball and track and field; Christine Anderson Cooper ’09, swimming; Coach John Woods, swimming; Josie Rix ‘09, soccer; Jasmine Brown ’09, volleyball and track and field.
GPS inducted five into its Athletic Hall of Fame. From left, Heather Parman Miller ‘09, volleyball and track and field; Christine Anderson Cooper ’09, swimming; Coach John Woods, swimming; Josie Rix ‘09, soccer; Jasmine Brown ’09, volleyball and track and field.

Girls Preparatory School students' and coaches' athletic performances have led to a higher than average entrance into the college athletic arena. In fact, this year 12 percent of the GPS Class of 2019 will go on to compete at the collegiate level; the national average is roughly seven percent.

Each year, GPS recognizes a select number of alumnae and coaches for their outstanding accomplishments in and contributions to athletics while at GPS and beyond. In keeping with the school’s tradition of athletic excellence, worthy alumnae student-athletes and former coaches who made a significant impact on the GPS Athletics program are inducted into the GPS Athletic Hall of Fame.

GPS inducted five into its Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jasmine Brown ’09 | volleyball and track & field
Jasmine Brown ’09 was member of the Bruisers’ TSSAA Division II-AA Volleyball State Championship teams in 2007 and 2008, earning all-tournament team honors in 2007 and MVP recognition in 2008. In her senior year, she received highest honorable mention commendation on the PrepVolleyball.com High School All-American Team. She also won the TSSAA Division II-AA State Championship for track and field in the 300 meter hurdles as a junior and in the triple jump as a senior; she also placed second in 2008 for the pentathlon.

Brown was a three-sport star at GPS—lettering all four years in volleyball, basketball, and track—and was the captain of her volleyball and basketball teams during her senior year. Brown accomplished success within the GPS classrooms as well, serving as a member of the National Honor Society and the Headmaster’s List.

Brown walked onto the volleyball team at the University of Tennessee and eventually earned a scholarship. She was named to the SEC Honor Roll all four years while earning her bachelor’s degree in social work in 2013 and later earned her master’s degree in macro-level social work.

During her athletic career at UT, the Volunteers qualified for the NCAA tournament four consecutive seasons and won one SEC championship. Also in Knoxville, she was an assistant at Berean Christian School, where her teams won back-to-back district championships and a region title. She was also part of a state semifinalist and region champion squad at Christian Academy of Knoxville in 2013.

In 2017, Brown moved to Louisville, Ky., to be a volunteer assistant for the women’s volleyball team at the University of Louisville. During this time, the Cardinals were co-champions of the ACC, and they advanced to the NCAA tournament. At the end of the 2017 season, Brown was named one of only 12 recipients of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) 2017 Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarship to attend the AVCA Convention.

Brown returned to GPS after almost 10 years since graduating and now serves in several capacities for her alma mater. She is the GPS Head Varsity Volleyball Coach, the Middle School Head Basketball and Volleyball Coach, and a database manager in the Development office.

Christine Anderson Cooper ’09 | swimming
Christine Anderson Cooper ’09 began her swimming career at five years old as a member of the Scenic City Aquatic Club. During her time as a Bruiser, she was a four-year varsity swimmer and a four-time All-American in the breaststroke and individual medley and free relays. She served as a team captain in 2008 and holds the school record for the 200 IM, 400 freestyle relay, and 200 free relay. In addition, Anderson placed in the top eight in all her events during the Tennessee State Championships. In 2006, 2008, and 2009, she was the the recipient of the Sarah Burns Award, an award given to the top point earner on the team at the Tennessee State Championship. Anderson also continued to participate in year-round swimming with Scenic City, attending qualifying meets such as nationals and zones during her junior and senior years. At zones, she placed top eight in all her events, including first place in the 200 IM.

Anderson went on to the University of Miami, where she swam all four years and earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in photojournalism. During her time with the Hurricanes, she expanded her specialties to include the 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle events, earning several of the team’s top times. Anderson broke the university’s record in the 200 IM and the 200 breaststroke at the 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships and placed fourth overall in the 200 breaststroke. She and her teammates also broke the 800 free relay record, placing fourth overall in the championship.

Anderson eventually returned to the Chattanooga and coached for McCallie/GPS Aquatics and Big Ridge Swim Association from 2012 to 2014. She still currently resides in the Scenic City with her husband, Jac Cooper, and works for Colonial Chemical, Inc., as a marketing assistant.

Heather Parman Miller ‘09 | volleyball and track & field
A multisport athlete, Heather Parman Miller ’09 played volleyball, track, basketball, and softball during her time at GPS. She was a key member of the volleyball team during its 2007 and 2008 state championships and was a three-time all-state and all-region player and a two-time all-state tournament player. She was the leader in aces and assists for the TSSAA DII-AA in 2008 and was runner-up in kills. She still holds the GPS record for kills with 1,642. She earned additional accolades in 2008 as a Prep Volleyball All-American and Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps Volleyball Player of the Year. In 2009, she was also presented with the Neely-Merrill Award at Best of Preps.

Miller also excelled in track and field at GPS, winning first in the discus throw in 2009 with a 114’2” throw, and was a member of the 2007 state championship track team. This winner of four state championships was also involved with Beta Club, Key Club, FCA, Kaleidoscope, GyPsieS, and Career Mentors.

After high school, Miller accepted a volleyball scholarship with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). During her time as a Moc, she was named to the Academic All-Southern Conference Team three times, maintained Dean’s List and Honor Roll standings for all four years, and led the 2012 team to the Southern Conference for the first time in four years. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, and she received the Outstanding Undergraduate Award.

Miller remained in the Chattanooga area and is married to Ryan Miller. She is an operations supervisor at Covenant Transport and is currently pursuing an MBA through UTC.

Josie Rix ‘09 | soccer
Josie Rix ’09 was a key player on the Bruisers’ varsity soccer team during her time at GPS. The 2006 leading goal scorer was selected three times to the TSCA all-state team and Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps, and she was selected for the 2005 and 2006 TSSAA All-Region team. She is a TSSAA Soccer State semi-finalist and three-time state quarter-finalist. At GPS, Rix was recognized with the Daughters of the American Revolution Community Servant Award, the prestigious GPS Battle Award, and as the McCallie School Autumn Queen.

In the club soccer realm, Rix was a member of the state Olympic Development Program for six years and a two-time Region III ODP team pool player. In 2007, she led her club team to a state championship and a state runner-up finish in 2008.

She continued her soccer career at the University of Alabama, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She was a four-year starter at midfield and defense for the Crimson Tide from 2009 to 2013. She helped the team earn an NCAA Tournament bid for the second time in program history during her sophomore season. Other accolades for Rix include being named to the Southeastern Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2011 and to the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team in 2012.

After college, Rix played a summer of semi-professional soccer for the Knoxville Lady Force and then quickly transitioned into the coaching world. She began at Lee University as a graduate assistant coach for the 2014 season, where she helped the team to a 15-4-2 overall record, a 10-1-0 Gulf Southern Conference record, and a victory in the 2014 NCAA National Championship. She went on to serve as an assistant coach at Wofford College for two seasons and then to Auburn University for one season.

Rix is now the assistant women’s coach at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

Coach John Woods | swimming
John Woods served as GPS’s Head Varsity Swim Coach and Aquatic Director as well as a physical education instructor for 27 years, from 1991 to 2018. During his coaching career for the Bruisers, the program set and broke numerous records, featured 75 All-Americans, graduated one four-time National Champion, and sent dozens to swim at the collegiate level. He has also coached 10 state runner-up teams and is a 5-time Tennessee High School Coach of the Year.

From 1991 to 2013, Woods served as the head swim coach and director for Scenic City Aquatic Club’s 200-member swim program. Within the club swimming realm, he has coached a four-time national champion, 12 individual national championship finalists, three Olympic swimmers, and between 1980 and 2004, he had at least one swimmer competing in the Olympic trials every year. He has coached two swimmers who went on to be Olympians and was named the Southeastern Swimming Coach of the Year in 1994.

Woods also held various assistant coaching positions for USA Swimming as a national team coach between 1986 and 2002, assisting for the United States Olympic Festival in 1990, the junior team training camp in 1993 and 1998, the junior team in Paris during 1994, and the junior team in Barcelona in 1999. In total, he coached seven USA national team members.

His personal swimming experience includes competing at Auburn University from 1971-75 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in education. After graduating, he served as the women’s head swim coach for the Tigers in 1975 and then as an assistant coach for the men’s program in 1976.

At GPS, Woods was an active member of the Christian Life Committee, a faculty sponsor for Honor Council for six years, an advisor, a mentor, and a frequent Cum Laude speaker.

 

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