Regents Austin Private Christian School Education K-12: Athletics Overview

Athletics Staff

List of 1 items.

List of 10 members.

Beck Brydon

Director of Athletics

Bio
Beck Brydon is the Director of Athletics for Regents School of Austin in Austin, Texas, a position he has held since 2006. Coach Brydon (or better known around campus as “Coach B”) has coached various sports at Regents since 1997 and has was the Varsity Head Football Coach from 2000-2019. He served as Regents’ Director of Advancement from 2004-2006. In addition to being a member of Regents’ senior staff team, Coach B has also served the school as a Senior Thesis Advisor (11 years), Campus Development Committee member, and panel moderator for both Regents Moms and Regents Dads Boot Camps.

Coach B’s vision is to redeem sports for Christ, one heart, one team and one event at a time. While seemingly a monumental task given today’s culture, it is the primary goal from which all 90+ coaches of 55 athletic teams spanning 15 different sports at Regents, operate.

Coach B is currently an Executive Board Member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS), the primary governing body of private school athletics and fine arts in the state of Texas. He has served as a TAPPS District President 13 different times and been a member of TAPPS’ Athletic Executive Committee and Football Ad Hoc Committee. He has authored more than a dozen articles in state-wide and national publications on topics such as Christian worldview in sports, sportsmanship, technology and parenting.

He and his wife Trish, a 7th grade English teacher at Regents, are celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary this year. They have three children who all attend(ed) Regents – Will Tyler (20), Annie (18), and Benjamin (16). When he is not coaching or coaching coaches, Coach B loves family vacations to the beach or mountains, playing golf and fishing.
Nate Turner

Asst Athletic Director (Cross Country, Golf, Swim, Track & Field), Track and Field Program Director

Bio
Nate Turner is our Assistant Athletic Direcor and Track Program Director and Varsity Head Track Coach.

Owner of Sport Speed Austin, Nate and his team of trainers have done individualized and group speed and sports performance training for many Regents kids over the years. He is also very familiar with our middle school league and TAPPS, having coached multiple sports at Veritas Academy.

What made Nate stand out was his demonstrated walk with Christ, an ability to articulate the convergence of faith and sports, and proven ability to connect with kids of various ages.

Nate and his wife Kristen have three children - Austin, a senior at Veritas; Autumn, a junior at Veritas; and Landon, a 6th grader at Small Middle School.
Mark McKnight

Asst Athletic Director (Cheer, Basketball, Lacrosse, and SOL Soccer); Basketball Program Director

Bio
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Hollis, Queens New York City. As a child I was blessed to have access to The Police Athletics League sports and enrichment program. This free program combined sports and mentoring to help at risk inner city youth learn how to play sports in a safe environment. At a young age I was exposed to a lot of great coaches and mentors which had lasting impact on my life.

I went to Andrew Jackson High School in Queens NY which was a very competitive sports school. I enjoyed being part of both the basketball and football programs.

After graduating High School I played basketball briefly at Hunter College in New York. Then I joined the United States Air Force which really changed my life.

Most of my time in the military was spent in Europe. For a kid from Queens who had never been outside of the United States it was a thrill to be able to travel to several different countries.

I was also able to play high level competitive basketball in the military in many different leagues and tournaments in Europe. I also got the chance to go back to school and attend Park University. Joining the military proved to be one of the best decisions I ever made.

What people may not know about you?
I founded a nonprofit in Austin, Texas called the Greater Central Texas Youth Association were I served as Executive Director for 8 years. The grassroots nonprofit provided free sports and academic programs for at-risk youth much like the free programs I was exposed to as a youth back in Queens.

I’m a mentor and coordinator with the Greater Austin Area My Brother’s Keeper Program (MBK).

I teach Sunday school and Youth Church at Abundant Life Community Church.

I’m a really good cook.

My Family
My Father had 14 brothers and sisters so there are a lot McKnight’s in the world. I’m the youngest of three kids I have an older sister and brother. Growing up it felt like I had a huge family because I had so many aunts, uncles and cousins.

I have two wonderful kids Monique (daughter) and Jamel (son).

Hobbies and interests
I enjoy sports and exercise I participate in a variety of fitness activities including boot camps, intramural sports, and the occasional 5K race.

Art has always been a passion of mine. I started drawing comic books at a young age and I have continued to create paintings, drawings and designs throughout my life.

I also enjoy music and reading.
Michael McCollum

Asst Athletic Director (Volleyball, SOR Soccer, and Baseball); Baseball Program Director

Bio
My father had the greatest influence on me. He was a police officer for 29 years. He served and protected the people of the community. I always admired the way he treated people fairly and they loved him for it. He battled cancer for a few months in 1997 before passing away. He was so strong and never showed any weakness.

While I attended college at Texas A&M University, I was also a professional fisherman. I went to class during the week and competed nationally in fishing tournaments on the weekends.

I love to read books on leadership. Not only for sports, but for being a leader in life.
Dominique Simmons

Associate Athletic Director of Girls Athletics, Girls Basketball Program Director

Bio
Dominique Simmons is entering her fifth year with Regents and her third year as a full-time staff operating as a Associate Athletic Director of Girl Athletics, Physical Education Teacher, Head Girls Varsity Coach, and Girls Basketball Program Director for both SOR and SOL. Dominique was born in Tacoma, Washington and relocated often due to both parents being active duty in the Army. Dominique completed her undergraduate studies at Simpson University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and played collegiate basketball. Dominique went on to complete her graduate studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, where she obtained both her Dominique Simmons is entering her fifth year with Regents and her third year as a full-time staff operating as a Physical Education Teacher, Head Girls Varsity Coach, and Girls Basketball Program Director for both SOR and SOL. Dominique was born in Tacoma, Washington and relocated often due to both parents being active duty in the Army. Dominique completed her undergraduate studies at Simpson University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and played collegiate basketball. Dominique went on to complete her graduate studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, where she obtained both her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Masters degree in Human Service Counseling and Life Coaching. Dominique relocated to Texas after playing professional basketball overseas. In her free time she enjoys playing basketball, strength training, reading books on personal and professional development, writing poetry, and helping others achieve their goals, find their purpose and strengthen their mindset.
Taylor Thurlow

Athletics Compliance Coordinator

Bio
Taylor is a Colorado native where she graduated from the University of Northern Colorado earning degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Taylor was blessed to spend her collegiate years competing in both Volleyball and Track and Field. It was in these years that she came to know The Lord and passionately follow Him.

Taylor worked as a social worker in Fort Collins, Colorado for the last three years until her husband's job brought them to Austin, Texas in January of 2019. Taylor's husband, Nate, is the Area Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where Taylor spends every opportunity she can serving alongside him. Taylor has a heart for athletes and loves every chance she gets to pour into their lives and encourage them to fiercely follow Jesus. Taylor and Nate enjoy exploring all the newness of Austin, making frequent trips back home to Colorado, renovating their new home and hanging out with their goldendoodle puppy, Piper.
Bethany Moore

Athletic Event Coordinator

Bio
Something I love to do is create art and lettering that incorporates scripture. I have an art and calligraphy business outside of Regents.

My mom has had the greatest influence on me.

Favorite Teams (in no specific order!): Texas Longhorns, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, and Houston Texans.

Favorite Verse: Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14).

Things that make me feel alive: quiet time with God, running, worship, painting, calligraphy, deep friendships, tennis, my UT Young Life small group, spending time with friends and family, serving at Providence Kids, sunrises and sunsets, journaling, mountains, dancing, Juiceland smoothies, discipleship, playing with dogs, sunshine, Heart o the Hills camp, traveling, and sports.
Sam Thompson

Director of Sports Performance

Bio
Married to Carly Thompson for 11 years, I began my journey at Regents in May of 2000 as the part time strength coach
and middle school football coach that same fall. I became a full time employee in September of 2008, Carly and I
became Regents parents in the fall of 2015 as our oldest daughter started kindergarten. We are now proud parents of
two Regents student, with two more to come. I grew up here in Austin (graduate of WHS) and met Carly in her final
year at UT. I commuted to Houston while she attend medical school, we got married in her 4th year and we moved to
Dallas, I then commuted to Austin so I could continue to be a part of the Regents community. We moved to Bee Cave
in the summer of 2010. Carly is a pediatrician for Premier Physician in the Hill Country Galleria, I am current the
Director of Sports Performance at Regents and a PE teacher. Currently our family and I are active members at Bee
Creek UMC.
Michaela Crow

Athletic Trainer

Bio

Michaela is entering her third year as an athletic trainer at Regents. Before Regents she earned her MA from University of Houston and BS in Athletic Training from TCU. Michaela enjoys traveling to visit her family who are on both the west and east coasts. She recently got engaged and is busy planning her wedding for April 2021. Outside of work she loves to spend time outdoors with her dog.
Serena Bruhn

Athletic Trainer

Bio
Serena Bruhn is a Certified Athletic Trainer. She attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she got her undergraduate and masters degree in Athletic Training. She was born and raised in a small town in California.

Regents School of Austin

Classical. Christian. Community.
3230 Travis Country Circle | Austin, TX 78735
P (512) 899-8095 | F (512) 899-8623

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY
Regents School of Austin (“School”) admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school- administered programs.