KATHY JENKINS

Coach Kathy Jenkins and I were chatting the other day, when she posed a question that blew my mind, “I’ve been here 54 of the 100 years the school has been in existence, how did that happen?” Whoa. I’ve clocked 20 years at SSSAS and Kathy was my P.E. teacher 50 years ago. We just stared at each other…and started talking about the weather. Everyone knows about Kathy’s accomplishments as a coach—38 conference tournament championships, 32 league titles, 11 state titles, eight undefeated seasons, and nearly 900 wins—so let’s talk about what you may not know. Kathy was adopted by Edna and Clarence Davitt in Erie, Penn., and had a younger brother, Bill. She poured her energy into ice skating, swimming, bowling, basketball, skiing, playing the violin, and riding ponies at her uncle’s farm. She worked at an orphanage and adored caring for the babies and taking the children to the beach. Kathy attended the historic Marjorie Webster Junior College in D.C., and earned a two-year degree in P.E. She was working in a typewriter shop in Georgetown, when a friend leaving St. Agnes recommended Kathy as her replacement. She literally walked into her first—and only—job teaching as a fresh-faced 20-year-old. While inspiring young ladies to be active and fit, she was working her way through a bachelor’s at American University. One of her courses required her to start a new sport. She chose lacrosse because it combined her passion for basketball with the dynamics of a field sport and created more opportunities for girls to play. She built the program with fellow Saints parent and coach Alix Fellows. Kathy worked in every division and enjoyed every age—literally raising hundreds of athletes from kindergarten through graduation. In addition to basketball and lacrosse, she loves coaching and playing tennis. Her philosophy in four words—inspire, listen, motivate, and support. Kathy married Henry Jenkins and fulfilled her dreams of being a mom with four children, Ande, Brooke ’96, Molly ’00, and Alec ’06. She has seven grandchildren, four girls and three boys she dotes on. She’s all about family time, playing spades, going out with friends, and traveling. In fact, Kathy is known for her trip-planning prowess, finding great discounts and deals for her team, family, and friends. She has traveled to Paris, Italy, Greece, and the 1972 Olympics in Munich, and taken teams to London (8 times!), Edinburgh, and Prague for the Women’s Lacrosse World Cup. You could say she’s adventurous, or a little crazy. She enjoys reading Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels, and binge-watching “House Hunters,” “Top Chef,” and “The Bachelor.” The perfect weekend includes pasta, walking Draper track, a movie with friends, and a fun activity with her grandchildren. You might catch her enjoying penne at the Carlyle or a chocolate beignet at Delray Café. So, how has she stayed motivated for 54 years? Simple, she is passionate about what she does. Kathy’s greatest legacy isn’t in her stats—it’s in the lives she’s shaped. She’s built more than teams; she’s built generations of confident, capable young women who carry her lessons far beyond the field.