During the first week the current sports editor was living and working in Montague County, Nocona High School had its year-end awards banquet.
Let’s just say a certain “talk” became rather emotional when it came time for then Nocona head volleyball coach Sandy Langford to stand at the podium.
Tears were streaming down Langford’s face.
That was the most compelling part of that banquet for me, and I thought to myself, “There’s a coach who’s completely invested in her athletes.”
During that part of 2014, it was hard to believe Langford would ever leave Nocona.
After all, Langford is a Nocona native. She was an all-state outside hitter for the Lady Indians, and she also competed in several other sports ranging from golf to track and field.
“There have been some special girls to play volleyball at Nocona,” said Langford. “It’s a program I’ve played and coached in, so that’s special to me.”
But there she went. Down to Glen Rose, it’s the seat of Somervell County and labeled the “Dinosaur Capital of Texas.”
Langford was on Nocona teams that reached the regional round under then coach Glenna Clay. She also was a Lady Indians’ assistant coach for several years too.
Poth defeated Nocona in the 2011 University Interscholastic League Conference 2A state championship after the Lady Indians defeated White Oak in the state semifinals while Langford was head coach.
That Nocona team featured Allie Hackley, Dayna Young, Haylee Diehl, Alicia Walker, C.J. Hamilton, Rachel Stewart, Kealy Walker, Reagan Barrett and Brittan Mitchell. Read more from this column in the weekend Bowie News in print and with your electronic edition.

Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.

Glen Rose High School head volleyball coach Sandy Langford, formerly of Nocona. (Courtesy photo from the Glen Rose Reporter)