Kean University

An excellent three-sport athlete, Kathy Matthews could actually merit Hall of Fame consideration in any one of them.
A two-year softball star, Matthews was the team captain and Most Valuable Player in both 1974 and 1975. Both a skilled pitcher and batsman, she hit a team-high .444 in 1975, leading the squad in runs batted in (RBI) with 11. On the mound that season, she posted a sparkling 0.97 earned run average, striking out 44 batters against just 12 walks. As a junior, Matthews paced the Squires (now Cougars) at the plate, batting .540 with a team-leading 18 RBI.

On the tennis court, Matthews boasted a career record of 32-5 while serving as team captain in 1974 and 1975, claiming Most Valuable Player honors both years. In 1972, she went undefeated in first doubles, posting a 7-0 mark and reaching the semifinals of the state tournament.

The following year, in the spring of 1973, she went 7-1 in doubles, reaching the state quarterfinals. That fall, Matthews switched to third singles, and competed to a 7-1 record, helping Kean to the championship of the state tournament. She finished 9-2 in second and third singles as a senior.

In basketball, Matthews was a three-year starter at guard, captaining the Squires as a senior. She received the prestigious D'Angola Award in 1975, presented annually to Kean's outstanding male and female student-athlete.

Matthews came back to Kean after she had graduated, coaching the softball team to a solid 49-20 four-year mark, piloting them into the EAIAW Tournament in her final two seasons.

Matthews earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Kean in 1975.