Head Coach Zenarae Antoine Inducted to Taylor High School Hall of Honor

Texas State women’s basketball head coach Zenarae Antoine was inducted into the Taylor High School Hall of Honor on Sept. 28, 2023.

Antoine is a proud recipient of this award as a black woman, Asian-American and daughter of immigrant parents. For her, this award symbolizes that anyone can go and do big things regardless of where they come from.

“For young women and girls who want opportunity well beyond high school, into the collegiate realm and on into the working world, it’s important to know that sport can take you there,” Antoine said. “This award is recognizing that a young woman who came out of that area of Texas can go on and do big things.”

Antoine was a graduate in the Class of 1993 from Taylor High School where she went on to become the first women’s basketball player from the school to go on and play Division I basketball. Antoine played college basketball at Colorado State where she was a three-year starter.

“[Zenarae] set the standard in girls' basketball at Taylor,” said Antoine’s former teammate Annette Steward. “She showed the coaches and athletes that being a Division I basketball player was attainable if you put in the hard work.”

One of the things Antoine loved most about playing at Taylor High School was her coach, Robert Arnold. He played a big role in who she became as a player and coach.

“I really believe if it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if I would’ve received some of the looks that I received,” Antoine said.

The biggest thing she learned from Coach Arnold was the importance of being both tough and showing that you care about your players and coaches, something she carried even into her coaching days.

“He was tough,” Antoine said. “He would get after you and show you that old school tough love. He was always on me about being aggressive and really embracing who I was. He taught me that it was okay to be mean, tough, and really get after it out there. But at the same time do it without feeling demeaned. He’s been pivotal of my growth in this game and pivotal in just understanding what tough-love means as a basketball coach.”

During Antoine’s college career she kept in contact with her former teammate, and Steward remembers nothing but consistent encouragement from Antoine as the two went through their respective college careers.

“I went the junior college route for two years, and over those two years, [Zenarae] would always encourage me to keep working hard for my dreams of playing Division I basketball because she believed in me,” Steward said. “I ended up reaching those dreams and playing my last 2 years at Gonzaga University, a Division I school in Spokane, Washington.  I was able to do that because I saw Zenarae do it and knew if I just kept working hard, then I could play at that level too.”

Steward is now a high school basketball coach at Langham Creek High School in Houston. 

“I can't think of a more deserving person than her [to receive this honor],” Steward said. “[Zenarae] has always strived to be the best in basketball as a player and as a coach. Her work ethic alone exceeds most, and I am so proud of all her accomplishments that she has made throughout her career as a player and a coach.”

After her own playing career was over, Antoine went on to start her coaching career. She did her graduate assistantship at Ohio University before a stint at the College of Charleston before going back to Ohio University. From there, Antoine coached four seasons at each Louisville and Arkansas before returning to Texas.

Now entering her 13th season as head coach of Texas State women’s basketball, Antoine has solidified her name as a notable alumnus of Taylor High School and put her name in the history books of Texas State. 

As the winningest coach in Texas State women’s basketball history, Antoine led the Bobcats to winning the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Regular Season Championship, five postseason appearances, and has coached 10+ players to score 1,000+ career points.

“[Antoine] has been an incredible leader for Texas State,” said Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell. “She has improved her program each year and does things the right way. She is creating well-rounded athletes that are graduating while winning championships. She is an all-around great coach.”

Antoine’s husband, Ronald, played a big role in her going into coaching after her playing career and doing so with family and growth at the forefront of her program.

Antoine met her husband while attending Colorado State and the pair dated for seven years before getting married and having three sons. For the Antoine’s, coaching has always been a family affair. Their jobs were important, but so was being there for their kids.

“She has shown that you can do it all,” Steward said. “You can have a successful career, raise amazing kids, and be a loving mother, wife, and friend. I know if you asked her right now, she would tell you she's not even close to being done.  She has more goals and accolades to accomplish.  She will continue to push everyone around her to be better and show them that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

For Antoine, the personal goals continue as she prepares for the 2023-24 season at Texas State. Just over a month out from the start of the new basketball season, Antoine is looking forward to continuing to build her program and win another championship. 

Looking back, though, she’s grateful for the honor she’s received from Taylor High School and is glad to be able to show that regardless of individual circumstances, anyone can get to the next level from where they start at.

“This award is about understanding that you can be from any area or school that athletics may or may not be the forefront, but still have an opportunity to go on to those next levels,” she said.