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The Barons continue to elevate our athletic program, and recently announced several new program leaders and plans to expand the Academy program.
Welcome to the following new program leaders:
Eddie Spencer – Head Football Coach
Eddie Spencer brings 17 years of coaching expertise to Saint Mary's Hall. Thirteen of those years were dedicated to mentoring youth football and basketball teams, where he guided his teams to 7 football championships out of 10 appearances. In June 2023, Coach Spencer made an immediate impact by leading his semiprofessional team, the South Texas Bills, to the league championship game in his debut season. Currently, he serves as the president and coach of the San Antonio Ducks Elite 7v7 football organization. His teams have achieved impressive national rankings, securing 5th and 8th place finishes in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively, and a top 4 finish in 2024.
A proud graduate of Irvin High School in El Paso, Texas, and a former college football player at Shasta College in Redding, California, Coach Spencer also possesses 4 years of basketball coaching experience with age groups ranging from 10u to 16u. His coaching journey has taken him to diverse locations such as Hawaii and Louisiana, where he achieved one tournament championship and two playoff appearances in league play.
Coach Spencer is a 20-year retired Army veteran with extensive experience in leadership and training. He holds a degree in Health Science from Purdue University Global and has successfully balanced his coaching career while serving as an active-duty soldier in Honolulu, El Paso, Leesville, and San Antonio.
Andres Köhring – Head Field Hockey Coach
Andres Köhring, an Industrial Engineer and passionate field hockey player from Argentina, has been dedicated to the sport since receiving his uncle's field hockey stick at the age of two. Growing up in Hurling Club, Andres balanced his love for the sport with academics and work. His journey includes winning national tournaments, playing in Australia, and traveling extensively. Now based in San Antonio, Andres remains active with Lonestar Field Hockey Club and brings his extensive experience to his new role as head coach at Saint Mary’s Hall. His approach emphasizes teamwork, perseverance, and the value of hard work—qualities he aims to instill in our students.
Kyle Thomson – Head Volleyball Coach, Indoor
Kyle Thomson, was born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX, and attended the University of Texas at San Antonio. During his time at university, he competed with the men's club volleyball team, which eventually led him into the world of club coaching. Over the course of his seven years of coaching, he has helped guide teams to junior nationals five times, reaching the gold bracket twice and earning a medal in the U17 American division. He also volunteered with the UIW Division 1 women's program for a couple of seasons, where he gained valuable experience in high-level tactics and skills necessary for the next level of competition. Currently, he serves as a national coach for San Antonio Juniors Volleyball Club, where he strives to foster a competitive and energetic atmosphere in every training session.
Having been involved with the Saint Mary’s Hall community for several years, he is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring an exciting and competitive culture into the gym.
Lower School Athletics Updates:
We owe a huge thanks to our dedicated Lower School sports volunteers. Their support has been essential in elevating our Lower School sports program. To enhance the experience for our students, next year we will be introducing a paid coaching staff to our Lower School sports program. This addition aims to complement our volunteers’ efforts and enhance the overall experience and support for our students.
Middle School Athletics Updates:
We are excited to announce enhancements to our Middle and Lower School athletics structure. Following a successful pilot season with our Middle School Lacrosse program, we have decided to extend practice times from 60 minutes to 90 minutes for better athlete development. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, Middle School Athletics practices will now take place from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
Academy Expansion:
After a successful inaugural year of Saint Mary’s Hall Academy Sports, we are pleased to make it a permanent fixture of our athletics program. We are pleased to announce that Academy Sports programming will include soccer, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse next year, with offerings through Middle School ages.
To support this expansion, we are creating a new position dedicated to guiding and training our Middle and Lower School athletes and coaches. The Director of Player Development for each sport will play a crucial role in building strong foundations for long-term success in our programs.
We will provide further details soon regarding schedules and structure as we work to craft a model that balances advanced training with our students' other experiences.
We would like to recognize that we cannot continue to grow without the input and collaboration of our community. As we confidently pursue our vision for the future, we embrace every opportunity to grow, learn, and achieve our dreams. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm as we strive for excellence.
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