Judy Kniffen Clardy is the newest award-winning coach to join the Brook Hill Athletic Department where she will assume head tennis coach duties.

Clardy is a former volleyball and tennis champion in her high school days at Tyler-Lee, before moving on TJC where she played for her father, Coach Fred Kniffen

First making her mark at TJC after recently being inducted into the TJC Sports Circle of Honor, Clardy earned that honor for her standout performances on the tennis courts at TJC.

Coach Kniffen was the number one women’s player both years, and the team won the NJCAA Division II Women’s Tennis Championship her freshman year and placed second at the National Championship the next year. Clardy also received All- American honors both years.

Clardy moved on to Abilene Christian University where she was the first woman to receive a full scholarship in tennis at ACU. She earned recognition as the outstanding female athlete her junior year after earning a winning record of 14-2 against Division I schools. She also advanced individually to the NCAA Division II Championships both years. Clardy was named most valuable player of the year both years and received All- American honors both years.

ACU also honored Clardy by inducting her into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame.

Clardy and her husband, Travis, have two sons who attend Brook Hill as seniors this year. The family divides its time between Nacogdoches and Lake Tyler.