WHY I COACH
Tracy Bloomfield, Seven Lakes High School
How long have you been coaching? Where did your career begin? What College or university did you attend?
I began my coaching career in 2004, working with an inner‑city youth basketball league in Miami, Florida, where I first discovered a passion for using sports as a way to mentor, empower, and positively impact young athletes. I have spent the last four years coaching with Katy ISD, continuing my commitment to athlete development, leadership, and character building through athletics.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from East Texas Baptist University and later completed my master's degree in Physical Education at Florida International University.
Why do you coach? Why Flag Football?
Coaching is a calling in my life. My relational coaching philosophy allows me to invest intentionally in the growth and development of student‑athletes, not only on the competitive platform, but in who they are becoming as people beyond the game. Building trust, modeling accountability, and creating meaningful connections are central to how I coach and lead.
I chose flag football because, as a young female athlete, I did not have access to or affirmation to play either tackle or flag football, even though I wanted to. When the opportunity to be involved in girls' flag football presented itself, it was a no‑brainer. I knew I had to be part of creating opportunities that didn't exist for me, so today's athletes feel seen, supported, and empowered to pursue the sport they love.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is creating an environment that fosters a player‑led culture. When student‑athletes are empowered to take ownership of their team and their growth, the impact is transformational. The fruit of that environment is growth across every area, mental toughness, physical development, confidence, leadership, influence, and access to meaningful experiences.
Ultimately, it's most rewarding when athletes leave the program not only as better competitors, but as more confident, capable, and purpose‑driven individuals.
Why is the growth of girls' flag football important to you?
I've had a front‑row seat to football my entire life, watching my husband play at the collegiate level, one son compete in high school, and another take that journey from high school to college and all the way to the professional level.
When I look at my daughter, I find myself asking, why not her? When I look at the young women I coach, many of whom do not always see themselves reflected in the traditional sports opportunities available to them long‑term, I ask the same question: why not them?
Girls' flag football provides a powerful and much‑needed opportunity for young women to showcase their strength, courage, boldness, athleticism, character, leadership, and grit. It creates another pathway for female athletes to compete, to grow, and to be seen, while challenging and breaking the mold of what is often expected of girls in sports. The growth of this game matters because it expands access, empowers identity, and affirms that young women belong on the field.
