Coach Sharon Austerman began her unparalled coaching career when she started the volleyball program at Cortez High School in 1969. She subsequently served as Cortez' head coach for 28 years. Her teams posted 402 wins for a winning percentage of nearly 75%, qualified for the state tournament 27 times, won the region title 10 times, qualified for the state tournament 17 times, won the state title 3 times and were runners-up once. Her teams also were invitational tournament champions or runners-up 12 times. Sharon was named the Skyline Region Coach of the Year 6 times, State Coach of the Year twice, Women's Sports State Coach of the Year in 1989 and Region 8 Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1985. Sharon has served as the volleyball All-Star team head coach 6 times, chair of the AIA's Skyline Region Volleyball Committee for 11 years, NHSACA region 8 Volleyball Committee representative in 1982-83, and served on the Arizona Association for Volleyball Coaches for 6 years. Coach Austerman is a familiar face as a clinician and speaker throughout Arizona and the Southwest. Austerman is a member of the Cortez High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and was honored with an award ​Achievement Above All Teacher ​at Cortez in 1986. She has also coached women's track and basketball. In recognition and honor of her dedication to the students, athletes, and parents, and women's athletic program, Cortez High is officially the home of The Sharon Austerman Gymnasium. Sharon was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010. Coach Austerman continues to give back by serving on the Executive Board of the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame.