Who Is Angela Slater? Why Should Brandon Take Note?

If it wasn't for her victories at Brandon High, Angela Slater wouldn't have achieved her 500th milestone win at Riverview High, which is why the coach and physical education teacher was recognied April 23 at the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce's membership luncheon, sponsored by the Riverview High School Athletic Booster Club.

The milestone win came March 26 at East Bay High School, where the Riverview Sharks, trailing with two outs in the final inning, scored a 9-6 victory after a three-run homer by Jordan Phillips.

• See Riverview's Slater Earns 500th Win (Tampa Bay Times)

"I was always involved in athletics," said Slater, a physical education teacher, who attended Pensacola Junior College and the University of South Florida. "I played my way through school, on athletic scholarships." 

As for her attraction to coaching, "it's just another word for teaching," Slater said. "The advantage is that all your kids who are involved have the same interests as you. They really want to play softball, they really want to compete and they really want to get better."

Slater recognized the support of her administrators, and also of her parents, husband and three children — all whom will be Riverview graduates, once the youngest sibling graduates in June — for helping her to ahieve her career success.

"Without their support, a lot of [games] don't get won," she said, taking note of the time it takes to dedicate to a season.

The 500th win "was very humbling," Slater said. She didn't tell her kids it was approaching, she said, because she didn't want it to be the focus of the season, "but somehow they found out anyway."

At the first home game following the victory, a special ceremony took note of the accomplishment, which was recognized as well at the chamber luncheon. In attendance was senior Joselyn Rivera, who played all four years of her high school career under coach Slater.

"She cares about us not only on the field but off the field, too," Rivera said. "Whether in school or out of school, she's the one who will always be there."

Slater sees beyond the high school playing field in assessing how time spent in sport will pay off later in life.

To play ball requires dedication, teamwork and time-management awareness, she said, and "when you leave high school, go to school, get a job or start a business, these are all skills you will need to have."