After consecutive district titles, Longhorns eye even higher notes
Mark Stout has been a trumpet player for much longer than he’s been a softball coach. These days, he admits he’s much more of the latter than the former.
The longtime leader of the W.T. White program has gained notoriety for playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before his team’s home games, most of which end with a Longhorns victory.
The chance to mix his passion with his profession began a few years ago. One of his players who was in the school choir used to sing the national anthem, but she graduated.
“I’ve kind of created a monster because now everybody expects me to do it,” Stout said. “I don’t play my horn very much anymore, and it’s not an easy song to play.”
Stout was a self-proclaimed “band nerd” at Lamar University, then started his own printing business. It wasn’t until his daughter became involved in sports, with Stout as one of her coaches, that he initiated a midlife career pivot.
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“After she got older, I still loved to do it, so I figured I would do it as a job,” Stout said. “It’s always the players. They’re just enjoyable. It’s very rewarding.”
WTW has enjoyed some of its best seasons in program history during Stout’s 14-year tenure. The Longhorns have advanced to the second round of the playoffs in each of the past three years — something they had never done previously. WTW has a 34-game winning streak in district play, and has claimed back-to-back league titles.
Stout is especially optimistic about this season’s squad, which has the depth and experience to perhaps achieve even higher goals.
Although standout pitcher Whitney Foster graduated and is now playing in college, Aileen Hernandez will inherit the starting role in the circle. The lineup should be formidable with returnees including Audrey Richardson, Thalia Alvarado, Micah Mowles, and twins Ilianna and Viviana Garibaldi.
“We’re coming back stronger,” said Stout, whose team begins its season Feb. 12 against Grand Prairie. “We’re trying to take it to another level this year.”
Retirement has crossed the septuagenarian coach’s mind in recent seasons, but for now, he and his team are still going strong.
“I’ve played every year like it’s my last year. That’s a philosophy I talk about with the girls. I don’t think of this year any differently,” he said. “I’ve thought about [retiring], but I have so much fun doing it.”
