Lakatriona Brunson is an American teacher, athlete, coach and actress. She is best known for her character Bernice on the truTV television series South Beach Tow.
Lakatriona Brunson | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Bernice |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, football coach, teacher |
| Years active | 2012–2014 |
| Known for | South Beach Tow |
Early life and education
editLakatriona Brunson was born and raised in Miami, Florida.[1] She attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School[1] in the 1990s, where she excelled in track and field and basketball. She continued competing in college, both in track and field and as a power forward[2] on the basketball team at Tennessee State University.
Career
editBrunson is widely known for her performances as Bernice, a tow truck operator on the docudrama TV series South Beach Tow. The show, shown in reality TV format (although some portions are reenactments), based itself on the operations of a towing operation in southern Florida, Tremont Towing. Bernice's character traits include disposing of unruly members of the public and referring to herself in the third-person. She is known for wearing sunglasses in her TV role and otherwise.[3] Although Tremont Towing is an actual towing company used by the city of Miami Beach for towing illegally parked cars,[4] the show's cast were fictionalized employees.
Brunson continued competing athletically as a defensive end for the Miami Fury football team of the Independent Women's Football League.[2]
Brunson is also a certified physical education teacher. When she was named head coach of the Miami Jackson High School football team in February 2016, she became the first female football coach in Florida.[5][2] Brunson coached girls' flag football at Jackson and was an assistant coach for the girls' basketball team.[2] Luther Campbell, known internationally as rapper Luke Skyywalker of the 1980s group 2 Live Crew, was hired as an assistant coach[5] and was a defensive coordinator.[3] However, he resigned his position after nine months.[3] Brunson has known Campbell since her childhood.[2]
Personal life
editBrunson has remained a resident of Miami.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Brunson, Lakatriona (September 24, 2014). "Talking to Bernice, 'South Beach Tow' fan favorite". Miami.com (Interview). Interviewed by Madeleine Marr. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
I was born at Jackson Memorial Hospital and raised in Miami.
- ^ a b c d e Gardner, Sam (February 12, 2016). "Reality is, Lakatriona Brunson is in charge of Miami Jackson HS football". FoxSports.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ a b c Parsons, Kelly (November 22, 2016). "Florida's first female football coach turns doubters into believers (w/video)". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 20, 2018 – via TampaBay.com.
- ^ Flechas, Joey (April 29, 2016). "'South Beach Tow' company hit with class action suit from MasTec family member". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ a b "Lakatriona Brunson is Florida's 1st female head football coach". ESPN.com. ESPN. February 9, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2018.