KATE CUSHING

CLASS OF 2002
 

Kate Cushing was born February 7, 1921, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  She attended Northeastern State University where she was Homecoming Queen, graduated in 1941 with degrees in teaching and physical education, and began a 49 year teaching and coaching career. 

She taught at Holland Hall, the University of Tulsa, Benedictine Heights College, Bishop Kelley High School, and the final 28 years at Monte Cassino where she also served as Dean of Girls, Cheerleader Sponsor, and Tennis Coach.  She had one State Champion team in 1984, three teams that were State Runner-ups, and in 1984 she coached the East All-State All-Star Tennis Team.

She was a generous volunteer, dedicating over 25 years and 1000 hours to the Red Cross and teaching special needs youth to swim.  As a lifelong tennis player, she received numerous awards including the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches Association award for Dedication and Promotion of High School tennis in Oklahoma in 1987; the Missouri Valley Tennis Association Community Service Award in 1988; the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association award for Girls' Tennis Outstanding Official in Oklahoma in 1991; the Oklahoma District Tennis Association Award for Outstanding School Tennis Program in 1992; the Oklahoma Department of Education Award for participation in the Physical Education in the Rough Program in 1993-94; the Oklahoma District Tennis Association Award for Best Junior Tournament of the Year in 1997; and the Oklahoma District Tennis Association Distinguished Service Award for 1986-1998.

Her 70 year promotion of tennis and her superb coaching skills led to her induction into the Missouri Valley Tennis Hall of Fame in 1996,  the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002, and into the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2016.  She passed away January 7, 2014.