Presenting BCAA Sports Hall of Famer Marcia Pinder

Marcia Pinder is someone special - someone special to Dillard High School, special to Broward County girls basketball and special to the citizens of Broward County. On October 15th, Marcia was inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame. On that day, she shared center stage with legendary boxing trainer Angelo Dundee and former professional football star Bernie Kosar. Marcia was honored and recognized for 25 years of coaching service to the basketball players at Dillard High School.

A 1969 graduate of Carol City High School, Marcia earned a degree in physical education from Bethune Cookman College and joined the basketball team even though her 4 feet 11 inch stature kept her on the bench. Despite her size, she towers head and shoulders above her coaching peers, boasting a career varsity record of 537-117. She has guided the Panthers to 18 regional playoff appearances and coached them to state titles in 1980 and 1982. Under her reign, the Panthers’ junior varsity program hasn’t lost a game in four years and won the county championship all four years!

Marcia came to Dillard in 1976 and was hired as the girls’ varsity basketball coach the following year. She immediately dedicated herself to learn the fundamentals of the game by attending coaching clinics and summer camps. Just a few years later, the Panthers won their first girls varsity state championship and a second state title two years later. In 2001, she coached them to the BCAA Big 8 girls’ county championship.

Her former players credit her with being more of a mentor and role model than a coach. They see her as a loving parent who treats everyone equally. Dillard High teams are well recognized for their commitment to teamwork and not individual success; for Marcia, every player is an important component of Dillard’s team success.

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Bit of History: Broward’s First High School

By a vote of 46 to 16, Fort Lauderdale’s first high school – Fort Lauderdale High – was approved for construction in 1915. This was the first bond issue in what would later that same year become Broward County. Located three blocks east of Andrews Avenue adjacent to Stranahan Park, the new school was built at a cost of $55,000. Its first graduating class – the class of 1915 – consisted of five boys. One year later, all of its nine teachers boasted college degrees.

Learn more about the history of Broward County Public Schools by clicking on “Our History” on the District’s Web site (www.browardschools.com).

Lucille Greene
Terminal Supervisor in
Pupil Transportation

Work location: Central Transportation

Broward County Public Schools employee since: July of 1970

Other positions I’ve held here: bus operator, general clerk and assistant supervisor – all under Pupil Transportation

Most memorable experience: Years ago when I was a bus driver I had to break up some kids who were fighting on the bus in the school parking lot; the principal thought I was one of the troublemakers and almost wrote me a referral!

What I like most about job: That I help to transport hundreds and hundreds of students to and from school safely, keeping them off the streets and in school

My motto: If there’s a way to do it, I’m going to find it

If I won the lottery, I would: Tear down my 80+ year-old parents’ house and build them a new one

Most favorite food: Fresh seafood

Something you probably didn’t know about me: I’m a Girl Scout leader and I enjoy going on campouts

Favorite TV Channel: The Discovery Channel

People tell me I resemble: Gladys Knight

If I could pick someone out of history to have lunch with, I would choose: Mary McLeod Bethune, a great motivator and co-founder of Bethune-Cookman College

Three words that describe me best: Motivating, encouraging and caring

Favorite movie: Pretty Woman

Best advice I ever received: “If you can make things better, do it” and “go back to school”

Nominated for this profile by: Lisa Spince,
West Central Transportation.