Makeup call for ex-coach
Southern High dedicates gymnasium floor to Hall of Fame coach Kilpatrick
Linda Kilpatrick had envisioned announcing her retirement as Southern girls basketball coach, then having one last night of celebration with all her former players.
It did not happen that way because Kilpatrick was not allowed to go out on her own terms after four decades on the sidelines.
Following the 2014-15 season, the Southern High administration announced it was opening the position to new applicants and intended to “go in a different direction.” That had never happened before during Kilpatrick’s 39-year tenure and she got the message and subsequently resigned.
It was a rather unceremonious end to a legendary career that saw Kilpatrick lead Southern to five state championships and become the winningest girls basketball coach in Anne Arundel County history. She compiled a career record of 503-375 that included 13 region championships.
Eight years later, Southern did the right thing by properly recognizing Kilpatrick and her significant contributions to the school. Last Friday night, Southern dedicated its gymnasium floor in her honor.
It was standing-room-only inside Tom Albright Gymnasium as Southern unveiled Linda Kilpatrick Court. In a unique and personal touch, Kilpatrick was written in cursive based on the coach’s signature.
“What a memorable night and a dream come true,” Kilpatrick said. “It was an amazing night and Southern made it a very classy affair. If I die tomorrow, I will be content and happy knowing my name is on that court where I spent so much of my life.”
Some of the greatest girls basketball players in Southern history were on hand to pay homage to the coach they love so much, including Dayna Scott — who remains the County’s all-time leading scorer. Other notables in attendance included Lagina Johnson, Cheryl Fountain, Lindsey Lowman, Tiffany Neal, Meghan Crandell, Jessica Pott and Laura Stockett.
“This event gave me the opportunity to have one last celebration with all my former players,” Kilpatrick said. “That was probably the best part of the whole night.”
Friday night’s ceremony was held prior to the Southern boys basketball team’s home opener. All the players wore T-shirts that read: “Kilpatrick Court: A Legend.”
Kilpatrick pioneered a practice that has sincebecomestandardatthecollegiatelevel by putting together a scout team consisting of boys. To provide recognition for those volunteers, she would always have two of the scout team players escort her onto the court before games.
That tradition was recreated Friday night as former scout team players Chuck Jones and Joey McCafferty once again escorted Kilpatrick onto the court through a tunnel created by the cheerleaders.
Kilpatrick requested that Pete Medhurst, a 1989 Southern grad, provide the introduction. Medhurst, longtime voice of Navy athletics, was unable to do so in-person since he was in Boston for the Army-Navy Game. However, he taped a heartfelt message that highlighted Kilpatrick’s lifelong dedication to Southern and the surrounding community.
Kilpatrick recalled that Medhurst, as a student, would provide in-depth scouting reports of upcoming opponent during physical education class.
Kilpatrick grew up in Owensville and graduated from Southern in 1971, a time when Anne Arundel County did not sponsor high school sports for girls. During that era, the only opportunities for females were weekend “play days” in field hockey, basketball, volleyball and lacrosse. Kilpatrick participated in all.
Kilpatrick played multiple sports at Anne Arundel Community College and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. She went on to play basketball and throw the shot put for the track and field team at the University of Maryland.
Kilpatrick was hired as a physical education teacher at Southern High in 1976 and replaced Nadine Dow as girls basketball coach the following year. She led the Bulldogs to their first Class 2A state championship in 1979 and many more followed.
Kilpatrick, who was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, was offered collegiate coaching jobs at Towson and George Washington. She turned down those opportunities, in part, because she felt a responsibility to the community.
“I said in my speech on Friday night that all I ever wanted to do was teach and coach at Southern High,” Kilpatrick said. “It meant a lot to me that I was able to impact so many lives in those two positions.”
Kilpatrick, who now lives in Deale, is still giving back as she works as a long-term substitute at Southern. She coaches grandson Landon’s 10-year-old basketball team with the South County Youth Association.
Southern had long ago named the gymnasium in honor of Tom Albright, the school’s longtime athletic director and boys basketball coach. Albright, who spent 44 years at the Harwood school, is also a member of the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame. He led Bulldogs boys basketball to 550 wins and four state championships.
Ray Bowen, who served on the committee that pushed for Southern to put Kilpatrick’s name on the basketball court, said there truly was no other individual deserving of that honor.
“When you talk about the history of Southern basketball, Tom Albright and Linda Kilpatrick are the first two people you think about; They both really made a mark and put Southern High basketball on the map within the state of Maryland,” Bowen, Southern’s former athletic director, said. “It’s very fitting that both of their names are in that gym. They exemplify what Southern High athletics and Southern High basketball are all about.”
Lyndsey Boswell, who played basketball and lacrosse for Kilpatrick, was the driving force behind the court dedication. Boswell, who has been head women’s lacrosse coach at High Point University since 2009, served as committee chair and would not allow various roadblocks to impede their progress.
Decisions such as naming a basketball court after someone must be made by the Board of Education. Anne Arundel County has a department that evaluates and rules on such requests. Boswell was tireless in promoting the concept of a “Linda Kilpatrick Court” and made sure the Southern High School administration and alumni were onboard.
“To be honest, I stalked a lot of people. Things move slow sometimes and I was very impatient,” Boswell said. “I felt an obligation and responsibility to get that court named in honor of Coach Kil. I wasn’t willing to take no for an answer and I wasn’t willing to let it be put off any longer.”
Kilpatrick had to hold back tears when talking about Boswell’s single-minded determination and dedication to the cause.
“Lyndsey Boswell has been one of my biggest fans forever and she was not going to let this go,” Kilpatrick said. “She wasn’t going to stop pushing until my name was on that court.”
Both Boswell and Kilpatrick are grateful to current Southern athletic director Kristi Starr for organizing and executing a beautiful ceremony. The court dedication was heavily promoted within the school and community, leading to an overflow turnout.
Southern will hold a dedication ceremony Friday, Dec. 22 for the newly named Tyrone Neal Sr. Wrestling Room. Neal is another Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Famer from Southern, the school’s first state champion wrestler who went on to great success at the University of Maryland.
Albright Memorial: There will be a memorial service held this Saturday night for Albright, who died in August at the age of 87. Titled “Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Tom Albright — Teacher, Coach, Mentor,” the event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Mid-Atlantic Community Church, located at 2485 Davidsonville Road.