Union University Athletics

Mae Ester Coleman has been a lifelong resident of Humboldt, Tenn. She led Humboldt High School to the 1979 TSSAA State Title. She was named to the Carnation Academic All-American team, Parade High School All-American, and McDonald’s High School All-American. As a senior, she was named all-district, all-region, all-state, and the Jackson Sun Player of the Year. Coleman averaged 39.8 points per game and holds seven state tournament records.
 
Coleman holds the current Union record for most points in a regulation with 44 points versus the University of Montevallo (Ala.) during the 1982-83 season. She played for Volunteer State Athletic Conference (VSAC) Championship team in 1982. She led Union women’s basketball team to consistent top-15 NAIA National Rankings during her time at Union. In 1982-83, Coleman played in 29 games, scored 504 points (17.4/game), grabbed 192 rebounds, dished out 87 assists, had 56 steals, and blocked 13 shots. She was named VSAC All-Conference and VSAC West Division MVP. She was in the top-20 in NAIA in scoring, while also ranking in the top-10 in NAIA in field goal and free throw percentage. In 1981-82, Coleman played in 23 games, with 369 points (16.0/game), 193 rebounds, 41 assists, and 36 steals. In 1982, she set the school record at the time with a .532 field goal percentage for a season and finished with the best career field goal percentage record at .532. In 1984, she earned the team’s Rebound Award.
 
Before Union, Coleman played two years at Middle Tennessee State University where she was named the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Freshman of the Year and was runner-up for Player of the Year in the OVC.
 
Coleman is also a member of the Gibson County Sports Hall of Fame.