Emshoff, Lois Truman
Lois Truman Emshoff has served as Badminton coach at Chandler High for 41 years. A Phoenix native and 3rdgeneration Arizonan, Lois grew up in a family of twelve children. She began playing school sports as a child at Dysart Elementary School. Upon entering Agua Fria High School in the 1950s, the only girls’ sport available was tennis, which she enjoyed. She also competed in other sports through the Girls Athletic Association, and became the first girl to earn a Varsity letter her sophomore year. She excelled in academics and athletics, earning her an Outstanding Athlete Award and Agua Fria High’s top title in Badminton. Agua Fria High later inducted her into their Hall of Fame.
Joining Arizona State University in 1961, Lois found success on the Badminton team as well as joining the first women’s basketball team at ASU. Lois earned a Bachelors in Physical Education (and later a Masters) and Dysart High School hired her to teach P.E. and coach Badminton and Tennis. While training young women and helping the Dysart Badminton team to win their first state title (1971), Lois also played in AAU basketball tournaments and AAU fast pitch softball.
Lois moved to Chandler High School as P.E. teacher and coach in 1972. She took over the tennis program and started the Badminton program. She also served as Assistant Girls Basketball coach, and JV Softball coach. Under Lois’s leadership, the CHS Badminton team won eight regional titles and four state championships starting in the late 1970s. Her teams have also won numerous semi-final tournament awards.
Lois has been a strong proponent of Title IX, demonstrating a passion for equal access in high school girls’ athletics. Due to her efforts in the early 80s at Chandler High, along with the efforts of other CHS coaches in girls’ sports, the administration provided better locker rooms, softball fields, and other facilities for the girls.
She continued her personal athletic career after age fifty, playing basketball in the Senior Olympics, as well as Volleyball. She continued to coach Badminton over the years, with many players earning state medals. Her retirement in 2006 didn’t slow her down, and she continues coaching Chandler High girls in Badminton. Lois has one daughter.
Emshoff was inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame on February 8, 2014.
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