Saturday, September 7, 2024
A group of spirited and determined women known as the Foxtrotters are redefining what it means to stay active and competitive in their golden years.
The Foxtrotters, a cherished senior women’s basketball team, recently held a reunion in Granbury.
Established in 1997, the Foxtrotters officially retired in 2017, but the bonds of camaraderie and the spirit of competition they forged remain strong. Reflecting on their journey, Glynes Foster noted, “We played together for 20 years, competing all over the U.S. in senior tournaments and the Senior Olympics. Our medals attest to our reputation.”
Foster, formerly the executive director of human resources for Rio Rancho Public Schools in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, is now retired.
Foster moved to Granbury in 2017, and another teammate followed. Together, they hosted the reunion. Five of their teammates planned to travel from Albuquerque for the reunion, however at the last minute only three made the trip — travel time has always been a fun part of their adventures.
Coach Chris Blackwell, who joined the team in 2012, shared his unique journey with the Foxtrotters. “I moved from Washington State to New Mexico in 2010. I was working at a Jewish community center and decided to move to New Mexico,” he explained. Initially, the Foxtrotters were not part of the JCC, but they did train there — (with) coaches like Michelle McKenzie, Sally Marquez, Jessica Corley, Jay Jacobs and Tom Gallagher.
“When Gallagher left, they asked me if I would be their coach. They got me with ‘cookies and brownies and stuff.’ I said, ‘I gotta do this,’” Blackwell added.
“I was coming out to Texas for a Marine Corps reunion, and since I was going to visit Glynes, we decided to have a Foxtrotters reunion. It’s always great to reconnect with these amazing women,” Blackwell said.
Doris Goodman, a long-time member, vividly recalls the team’s transformation. “When we started over two decades ago, we were known as the Twisters. Later, Glynes and Ginger got together and came up with the name Foxtrotters, and we all loved it,” she said.
Goodman, who currently resides in Albuquerque, reflected on her time with the team, stating, “The 15 years I played with the Foxtrotters were the best years of my life.” She described basketball as “an essential outlet and a renewed sense of purpose during a challenging period.”
Unfortunately, Goodman had to leave the team due to hip surgery and shoulder issues. She noted, “They played another five years, I believe, after I had to drop out.” Despite her desire to stay with the team, she acknowledged, “I was unable to.”
“She (Doris) was a key player, and she and I both enjoyed the pick and roll, scoring every time. Doris was our ‘horse,” Foster fondly remembered.
The Foxtrotters’ story is not just about basketball but the unbreakable bonds formed on and off the court. The team has navigated personal hardships together, including health challenges and losing beloved members. “We lost one player to death, Arlene Rimson, a very dear friend,” Goodman shared somberly.
These experiences have only strengthened their resolve and commitment to one another. Judy Smith, another dedicated player, shared her journey with the team. “I played on a team previously, but the Foxtrotters were always better. When Doris couldn’t play anymore, they asked me to join them. It was one of the best days of my life. I’ve never looked back,” she said.
Ginger Rich, one of the original organizers, reflected on the team’s beginnings. “We started by playing at Sandia Prep High School and the JCC. We saw what other groups were doing and thought, ‘We could do that, too.’ While many of us had prior basketball experience, some had never played before. It was through connections and our shared interest that everything came together.”
Before retiring, Jan Stockton worked as a safety and risk management manager in the construction industry, a role that involved extensive travel. Despite the demands of her career, her love for basketball remained unwavering.
Now living in Albuquerque, Stockton reflected on the life lessons learned from basketball. “Competing in a sport like basketball teaches the value of staying in shape and how to compete in life,” she said. “To all you young ladies, learn the game and never be afraid to sweat. You are never too old to play.”
For LouAnn Shafer, the journey began with a newspaper article. “They were looking for other players, and we all joined the same day. We were all basically the same age and just went that day to see what it was all about,” she explained. Not all ladies had the same opportunities to play when they were young. “The only basketball I ever played was church league basketball for six weeks because my school said girls didn’t play,” she added.
Diana Pappan, whose late husband was a catcher for the Cleveland Indians, found solace and community with the Foxtrotters. “I have always been athletic, and I love being athletic. When I heard about the Foxtrotters, I interviewed them and joined the team. It was awesome. I loved it. I still love it,” she said.
“We started as a team in 1997 and attended our first Nationals competition in Florida that year. We got a taste of the ‘competition’ and wanted to be a part of that ‘world,’” Foster reflected.
After their debut in 1997, the Foxtrotters began the challenging process of becoming a recognized nonprofit organization in New Mexico. Fundraising became a significant part of their efforts, with activities such as the Outback Sunday dinner, where they sold tickets and held silent auctions with donated prizes, and their annual garage sale, which became quite popular. Foster noted, “We held fundraising activities all the time. One of our biggest was our Outback Sunday dinner. Outback let us have all the proceeds.”
These activities helped sustain their passion for basketball and their commitment to the community. Foster shared, “Foxtrotters needed funds to travel all over the U.S. to participate in tournaments, so we also dug deep into our own pockets.”
In their late 50s, they achieved great success and became well known among senior women’s basketball competitors. Their last National Senior Olympics was in Ohio in 2015.
Throughout their journey, they had several dedicated coaches. Blackwell stuck with them. His dedication and inspiration were invaluable. When he mentioned he would be passing through on his way to Austin for a military function, they seized the opportunity to organize a Foxtrotter reunion. “This last coach, Chris Blackwell, adopted us for the long haul — says we inspire him,” Foster said.
The team officially retired after its last game in San Antonio in February 2017. Foster announced her retirement after that game, citing her inability to keep up with the physical demands. “I had lung problems all my life. I told the gals after that game (while hyperventilating) I would have to quit,” Foster recounted.
The other team members also had their own issues, and they collectively decided to hang up their jerseys. Without their leadership, “A League of Their Own” soon disbanded, though senior women’s basketball continues through other leagues and teams.
“We made great friendships with other teams from all over the United States,” Foster said. “They will still remember, if any of them are still playing, they will still remember the Foxtrotters.”
Doris highlights the importance of resilience and perseverance. “Hey girls, keep on keeping on. I’ll never give up. Just keep on putting one foot in front of the other.”
“Our uniforms are boxed up, and my basketballs have lost their air,” Foster said with nostalgia; as though hearing the hardwoods call, she added, “But, oh, how I would love to respond.”
