Ms. Matthew's program notably became recognized as the third winningest program in New Jersey girls' basketball history.
BRICK, NJ, March 07, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kathy A. Matthews has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
After more than 45 seasons, 750 victories, and approximately 31 championships, Ms. Matthews retired as the head coach of the girls' basketball program at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, in 2022. A towering presence in high school girls' basketball in New Jersey she built Union Catholic into a perennial powerhouse during her Hall of Fame career. Throughout her career, she led the Vikings to 13 conference titles, 8 county titles, five sectional titles, and three state titles. Ms. Matthews also produced many all-conference, all-county, all-state and high school all-americans. Twenty plus student athletes received athletic scholarships. Upon retiring, Ms. Matthew's program notably became recognized as the third winningest program in New Jersey girls' basketball history.
Although Ms. Matthews found it difficult to leave her coaching days behind, she is grateful for the many lasting connections she has established with several generations of former athletes. She did not want her legacy to be just about numbers and championships. She wanted it to be about how the program developed the student, the athlete, the teammate, the person and fostered team unity. Upon her retirement, she still remains active as an assistant for Union Catholic's athletic department on a part-time basis. Ms. Matthews also offers private lessons to student-athletes.
Among the many student/athletes she has coached over the past four decades, Ms. Matthews recognized some of her most notable athletes. Kris Kirchner who was a member of the 1980 Olympic Basketball Team. Kris Durham for being named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 1987 and the Star Ledger All-Century Team in 2000. Cheryl Cop first team All-State and Parade All-American. Union Catholic won 14 championships during her tenure. She is in the Rutgers University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Apart from coaching, Ms. Matthews was an administrator for her school for many years until 2021 and the dean of students for over a decade. She was also affiliated with her alma mater, Kean University, in Union, New Jersey, as the head softball coach and with her former high school, John F. Kennedy High School in Iselin, New Jersey, as the junior varsity girls' basketball coach during her first year of teaching.
Ms. Matthews graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1971. She was subsequently accepted to Kean College (now Kean University), which she earned a Bachelor of Arts in physical education. Ms. Matthews also studied at Montclair State University, earning a master's degree. Additional educational pursuits to her credit include personal fitness training through Thomas Edison State College and credentials as a teaching supervisor through Kean University.
During her coaching years, Ms. Matthews was active as a member of the tournament of champions seating committee of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). She also served as a basketball committee chairperson for the organization.
Among numerous awards and recognitions, Ms. Matthews was voted the Most Outstanding Athlete during her senior year in college. For her contributions as a coach, she received a Section One Distinguished Service Award from the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association, was a seven-time recipient of the Union County Coach of the Year Award, received the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Basketball Coaches Award, and was named to the Woodbridge Township Hall of Fame, the Union Catholic Hall of Fame, the Kean University Hall of Fame, New Jersey Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Ms. Matthews has also been featured in print and online by numerous local newspapers for her outstanding professional career. Recently she was honored by the Fred Hill Foundation for her outstanding basketball career and the Boys Scouts of America Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to youth and society.
Read more here:
https://www.unioncatholic.org/apps/news/article/1659541
https://www.unioncatholic.org/apps/news/article/1597216
https://ucvikings.com/news/2023/1/24/girls-varsity-basketball-uc-basketball-legend-kristin-kirchner-honored-with-olympic-banner.aspx
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2022/04/12/hall-fame-girls-basketball-coach-retires-after-46-years-and-750-wins/7279527001/
https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2022/04/46-years-750-ws-indelible-legacy-matthews-leaves-mark-on-nj-girls-basketball.html
https://ucvikings.com/news/2022/2/22/girls-basketball-uc-girls-basketball-coach-kathy-matthews-wins-750th-game-in-legendary-career.aspx
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/clark/sections/sports/articles/girls-basketball-union-catholic-coach-kathy-matthews-wins-750th-game-in-legendary-career-7
https://www.unioncountyconference.com/kathy-matthews-retires-after-legendary-career-as-girls-basketball-coach-at-union-catholic/
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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