PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 10, 2023
Dr. Mark J. Anthony, DIS
Trinity Christian School, Sharpsburg, GA
770-251-6770
Email: Mark.Anthony@tcslions.org
Web: tcslions.org
Trinity Hires Former WNBA and UGA Star to Lead Basketball and Diversity Programs
Trinity Christian School is continuing its mission to grow in excellence by extending a warm welcome to Lady Hardmon Grooms as the new Director of Basketball Operations and Director of Diversity for the Sharpsburg campus. She will also serve as the Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach and PE Teacher.
Lady Grooms with WNBA Sacramento Monarchs
(Photo:: Seth Ellerbee)
Lady Grooms brings over 16 years of experience teaching Physical Education and Health to students in middle and high school. She has also served as a Head Basketball Coach with experience and a history of growing student athletes. She is known for her love of students and creating an engaging environment as well as a culture of inclusion.
Lady Grooms attended University of Georgia and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Administration in 1993. She was a 4-year starter for UGA and played internationally in France, Hungary, Italy and Turkey. She was also awarded Academic SEC All-Conference. After college, she was a first round pick in the inaugural WNBA draft and played for the Utah Starzz and Sacramento Monarchs. She served three years as an assistant coach for the WNBA’s New York Liberty team.
Lady Grooms coaching girls basketball.
(Source: Lady Grooms)
Most recently, Lady Grooms has served as the Head Coach for the Varsity Girls Basketball team as well as Middle and High School PE at Landmark Christian School. Prior to her time there, she served in similar roles at Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) and Arlington Christian School. She led GAC to the Girls Final 4 in 2016, 2017 and 2019, and Landmark to the Final 8 in 2022 and the Final 4 in 2023.
Dr. Mark Anthony, Head of School said, “When Trinity Christian School is interviewing potential candidates, we want to identify if they are a cultural fit. To do that, we strive to discern if they possess the critical qualities that will allow them to be successful: Competency to effectively do the job, Character that models the Trinity Way, and Chemistry that allows them to function well within our team. In this hiring search, our team is convinced that Coach Grooms is going to thrive as a teacher, coach, and mentor.
I love Lady’s passion. First and foremost, she is a passionate follower of Jesus. Secondly, she has an unbelievable pedigree in basketball. Not only as a player, but as a coach too. I have observed her over the past 6 or 7 years and have been thoroughly impressed with her ability to develop individual talent while getting the most out of her team. Finally, Coach Lady Grooms is passionate about students. Her infectious smile will undoubtedly endear her to our student body. Trinity, we are excited and fortunate to add this wonderful person to our loving community!”
Who is Lady Grooms?
USC Coach Dawn Staley - “What a gem of a hire of Lady Hardmon for Trinity Christian and the young ladies she will immediately and forever impact. I’ve known Lady for over 3 decades and she is the epitome of loyalty, hard work and has been a dream merchant for young ladies long before she held a coaching position. I can’t wait to witness her success at Trinity Christian.”
Former UGA Coach Andy Landers – “No one loves basketball more than Lady Grooms. Everything she does, she does it with excellence. Her love for kids has made her an outstanding coach and role model.”
GAC Athletic Director – “She is a ‘culture builder.’ GAC students love her and are drawn to her. Coach Grooms always has a smile on her face and kids want to be with her when she walks in the room.”
Lady Grooms and daughter Gabrielle Grooms pictured during recent announcement of Georgia Tech commitment.
(Source: Lady Grooms)
TCS Football and Track Coach Roby Ross - “Coach Grooms and I previously taught middle school physical education classes together. From a basketball coaching standpoint, I can recommend Coach Grooms without reservation. Her interaction with the young ladies was a great combination of building relationships while still maintaining order and accountability. During games, her teams were always prepared and consistently displayed a great level of competitive execution regardless of the opponent. I believe Coach Grooms will be a tremendous asset.”
TCS Bible Teacher Ron Edwards - “It has been my honor to know Lady Grooms for over 12 years. I have known her as a friend, as a colleague, as a growing Christian who continued to understand how her Jesus story should shape her coaching, and in the context of a fellow coach for 4 years. She has been a hard worker, an excellent player developer, and a lifelong friend to girls long since graduated. She has inspired, challenged, and led girls not just to state championships but to become world class wives and mothers.”
________
About TCS: Trinity Christian School is a fully-accredited, interdenominational, preschool through 12th grade, private school in Sharpsburg, GA. Bordering Fayette, Coweta, and Spalding counties, Trinity currently enrolls more than 1,900 students across all campuses. In addition to its strong academics, including honors and college prep courses, students may choose from a variety of extracurricular activities, and a full range of boys’ and girls’ competitive athletic programs. Its vision is to prepare today's student to impact tomorrow's world.