Kendra Chambers Coleman’s great genius as a human being has always been her love of life and her immaculate timing.
One of this city’s best-ever track athletes is going into the El Paso Athletics Hall of Fame this week, one year after retiring as a professional, a year and a half after getting married, a season after starting her new career as a college track coach.
As always, Coleman will do it with a heart full of gratitude and joy.
“It’s been absolutely amazing,” said Coleman, a 2008 Hanks alum who ran in three US Olympic Trials in the 800 meters. “When I found out (she was going into the El Paso Athletics Hall of Fame) I was shocked because it happened so soon.
“I’ve only been retired for a year and it feels so good to come back home and receive this honor. I’m truly blessed and grateful they’ve decided to induct me into this 2025 class.”
She does it as she’s transitioning to a new phase of her life. Coleman retired shortly after competing in the semifinals of the 2024 Olympic Trials, then moved to Houston from Austin to begin her career as an assistant track coach at St. Thomas University. She also works for a non-profit Athletes for Hope.
“It’s almost like I haven’t left the sport,” Coleman said.
That’s because she hasn’t, and she quickly realized that once again, her timing was perfect. Coleman enjoyed every moment of her career, just as she’s enjoying her new life.
“I don’t miss” being a pro, she said. “I really was done, that’s the beautiful part of my story. I did get everything out of running and track and field. I have to thank my family for that, I was able to do it so long. I was a pro for eight years.
“Now it’s so fun to be on the other side of it. I give the hard workouts, and I know how the athletes feel. I don’t miss being out there at all.”
Coleman has thrown herself into her coaching career, something she immensely enjoys.
“There is a big transition,” she said. “A lot of people don’t think about the athlete identity, you get caught up thinking that you are your sport.
“But I’ve had great support, my husband, my family and my mentors — my high school coach Kim Gomez from Hanks and my professional coach Rose Monday, helped me figure out, should I coach, should I not? I love coaching and I’m following in their footsteps.”
That’s important for Coleman, who has always been eager to give back to the sport that gave her so much.
“It’s so important we have female coaches to represent,” she said. “This is a very male-dominated sport, especially at the pro level. You don’t see many female college coaches, either.
“I know I’m a good coach, I knew wanted to be a coach. My resume speaks for itself. I decided I wanted to try it and I love it. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
What she’ll be doing this week is getting inducted into the El Paso Athletics Hall of Fame, and that means quite a bit to her.
“The best part of it is coming home and being able to celebrate this with my husband, my family, my friends, and seeing how much El Paso has grown,” Coleman said. “I haven’t visited for a while, so it’s been nice to be home.
“I’m excited mostly because you get caught up in your sport. I’ve been around the world —to Italy, Ireland, France. Then you come back home and realize, people were watching me, rooting for me. El Paso has always been so supportive of my career. I’m so thankful.”
That’s the way she’s lived her life and it’s led her to this big stage.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Kendra Chambers Coleman thrilled for induction to El Paso Athletics Hall of Fame
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
