RecSports Leadership Team
The Leadership Team is made up of a group of former participants, employees, and friends who combine their passion for Recreational Sports programs and professional success to provide support and guidance to the department. They have generously offered their time and resources to help ensure that future generations of Longhorns are afforded the same opportunities they once had and that current students enjoy today.
Tanya Simmons, Co-Chair, BA ’95
Regional Sales Manager - Dell Technologies
RecSports Affiliation: Graduate Assistant, Student Employee, and Sport Club Captain
Why did you join the Leadership Team? During my time at RecSports, I gained experience in organizing, planning, and supervision. I would not be the person I am today without my wonderful fellow teammates, coaches, and friends who I met along the way through RecSports.
Amber James, Co-Chair, BS ’01, M.Ed. ’02
Managing Partner - The James Firm, PLLC
RecSports Affiliation: Amber served on the Intramural Sports student staff as a Supervisor, Official, and Program Assistant.
Why did you join the RecSports Leadership Team? When I look back at my experience at UT, RecSports was the center of my existence on campus. Later, my experiences in RecSports would serve as the foundation for my career--in a very real, if not exactly direct way. During my freshman year, I became a referee, a player, and an intramural champion. As a former high school athlete, I was in my element with people from all over the state and beyond who shared an interest in sports and teams, and who frankly liked to win. I later became an Intramural Supervisor and Program Assistant where I managed a variety of people and problems, all while continuing to exercise my drive for sports by refereeing and coordinating. I was mentored by Bob Childress and Darci Doll, two of the best, who taught me to demand excellence from myself and from others. And they became (and remain) the face of UT for me. Gregory Gym served as my home on campus, where I met friends, studied, had lunch, and worked late nights in the gym. RecSports gave so much to me and I’m excited to give something back.
Gordon Appleman, BA ’59
Consulting Counsel, Holland & Knight
RecSports Affiliation: Gordon served as an Intramural Sports program manager for three years as an undergraduate at UT, which earned him the coveted T-Association letter as a senior manager. Gordon was also inducted into the RecSports Hall of Honor in 2019.
Why did you join the Leadership Team? I joined the Leadership team because I believe in the importance of a robust RecSports program at a first-class university like UT.
Fernando Cordova, BS '10, MSTC '21
Market Commercialization Manager, LATAM - Insightec
RecSports Affiliation: Fernando served as a student employee in facility operations during his time as an undergraduate student.
Why did you join the Leadership Team? After arriving at UT for college from Mexico, working at Gregory Gym with facilities was my first job in the United States. It allowed me to grow outside of the classroom and develop the confidence that I needed after graduation to become a true professional and leader. I believe in the RecSports mission of providing education through recreation and want to ensure that the next generation of Longhorns has access to the best RecSports facilities and programs.
Brooke Dean, BS ’07
Vice-President, Account Management - MKTG
RecSports Affiliation: Brooke was a former student employee, sport club participant, and served on the Sport Club Leadership Council.
Why did you join the Leadership Team? RecSports was my home base on campus. It was a place that not only helped shape my college experience but also my career in the years that followed. After graduation, I went on to work for a leading lifestyle fitness brand in New York. Now in Chicago, I work in experiential marketing and live events with a specialty in sports and lifestyle brands. Of all the major events and programs I’ve been a part of, the real highlight came a few years back when I was leading one that brought me back to campus to work with and instruct students in partnership with RecSports. After it wrapped, the goosebumps set in as I stood under the Tower in awe at how my experience had truly come full circle nearly a decade after my graduation. I am honored to be a part of the RecSports Leadership Team and look forward to supporting initiatives to provide current students the resources and experiences that will make them look back on their own RecSports experiences as fondly as I do mine.
Roz Jones, M.Ed. ’09
Founder & CEO - Roz.Fit.Life.Style.
RecSports Affiliation: Fitness + Wellness Graduate Assistant
Ann Brodnax, BA ’78
Retired CPA
RecSports Affiliation: Intramural Sports Participant
Why did you join the Leadership Team? RecSports made such a wonderful difference in my college experience. Being on the Leadership Team is a chance to relive and recall those great times and to have the opportunity to give something back to current programs and participants. RecSports has blossomed for over 100 plus years and I feel fortunate to be on board!
Bill McMeans, BBA ’80
Founder & CEO- Dynamic Extrusion
RecSports Affiliation: Intramural Sports Participant
Why did you join the Leadership Team? I often tell people my degree was earned in economics, but my education came through the fields, courts, and even the swimming pool that hosted intramural events. Competition, organization, motivation, and sportsmanship are critical lessons. The intramural experience at UT was very impactful on my life.
Rudy Metayer, BA ’03, JD ’06, MPAff ’16
Councilmember, City of Pflugerville
RecSports Affiliation: Intramural Sports Participant
Annie Holand Miller, BA '99, JD '04
Chief Business and Operations Manager - Holand Investments, LTD
RecSports Affiliation: Participant, Student Employee, and Student Government President
Why did you join the Leadership Team? As a student, I enjoyed the use of the RecSports facilities, and during my junior and senior years, worked closely with the RecSports staff on various projects and events like the creation of Party on the Plaza and the Gregory Aquatic Complex referendum. After my undergrad graduation, I worked on a master’s in Higher Education Administration and took a job with RecSports working on development for RecSports, specifically, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Howard Nirken, BBA ’93, MPAff ’97, JD ’97
Attorney- DuBois Bryant & Campbell; Adjunct Professor – The University of Texas at Austin School of Law
RecSports Affiliation: Intramural Sports Participant, Student Government President
Joanna Turner, BA ’09, MA ’12, Ph.D. ’16
Distance Learning Coordinator, OnRamps - The University of Texas at Austin
RecSports Affiliation: Former Student Employee
Why did you join the Leadership Team? To give back to RecSports, and to serve UT and alumni communities more broadly by offering ways to connect with one another and opportunities to forge bonds through beloved activities and joyful shared experiences.