Waite inducted as Coaching Legend

Recently-retired Fallbrook High School field hockey coach Kathy Waite was inducted as a San Diego County High School Coaching Legend during the annual Coaching Legends induction dinner Nov. 9 at the Scottish Rite Center in San Diego.

“I was honored to be included with so many excellent, dedicated coaches,” Waite said. “I am proud to be inducted.”

The San Diego Hall of Champions initiated the San Diego County High School Coaching Legends in 1999 to honor retired high school coaches with exemplary records and standing in the coaching community. An inducted Coaching Legend must have coached for at least 10 seasons and must be retired; the criteria also include outstanding performance and sportsmanship both on and off the field of play. A selection committee meets throughout the year to review potential candidates.

“Coaching athletes and working with students at Fallbrook was a career passion with Kathy,” said master of ceremonies Bruce Binkowski.

The induction of Waite and six other coaches brings the number of Coaching Legends to 151. Waite is the third Fallbrook High School coach to be inducted as a Coaching Legend; the 2004 induction class included basketball coach Jack Sandschulte and water polo coach Joe Goss. Fritz Ziegenfuss, who coached basketball at Patrick Henry before moving to Fallbrook in 1997, was inducted in 2001. Sandschulte passed away Oct. 15 and was one of five Coaching Legends who passed away since last year’s banquet and were recognized in memoriam.

Waite had a cumulative record of 394-176-20 in her 590 CIF games during her 29 seasons as the Warriors’ head field hockey coach.

She won league championships in 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2001, and 2005. In 1989, the Warriors were undefeated in league competition. She coached the Warriors to CIF championships in 1986 and 1991 and also took Fallbrook to the CIF finals in 2005 and 2009, and the Warriors reached at least the CIF quarterfinals in each of Waite’s 29 seasons.

“I also have been blessed with dedicated and hard-working athletes and helpful and supportive parents,” Waite said.

Waite also served as field hockey’s Avocado League representative to the CIF, and during her acceptance speech she commended the CIF staff with whom she worked. “Any time I needed something answered, they were always so helpful,” she said. “It’s been enjoyable to work with them.”

Waite also commended the school administrations. “Fallbrook High School has allowed our program to try to shine,” she said.

Current Fallbrook athletic director Patrick Walker and former athletic director Heather Schulte were among those who joined Waite for her induction.

“The field hockey team has been a family effort,” Waite said.

Waite was hired by the Fallbrook Union High School District in 1977. “When I started teaching and coaching, my goal was and still is to make a difference with the athletes and students,” Waite said. “Early in my career I realized I was here to help students’ high school lives to be better.”

Waite coached girls swimming, softball, girls volleyball, and boys tennis at Fallbrook High School prior to becoming Fallbrook’s junior varsity field hockey coach in 1981. Waite became Fallbrook’s varsity coach in 1982. In the mid-1990s, she started the Potter Junior High School field hockey program.

The 2009 season saw Fallbrook reach the finals of the Serra Tournament, and the off-season Guac Girls team (the team cannot officially represent Fallbrook High School outside of the CIF season and cannot call itself the Warriors) won its pool in the National Field Hockey Festival for the first time.

That season earned Waite the California Coaches Association state field hockey coach of the year honor and the CIF San Diego Section’s field hockey coach of the year award. She was also one of 12 coaches throughout the United States nominated by the topofthecircle.com field hockey website for its United States Coach of the Year award.

Waite’s honors also include being named as a San Diego Model Coach of the Year in 2007. More than 40 of her former students have played college field hockey.

Kirstin Mueller, who once played for Waite, took over as the Warriors’ field hockey coach this year. This year’s Warriors closed out their regular season the day before the banquet and earned a share of the Avocado League championship. Although Waite no longer attends every game and practice, she remained with the team as a volunteer manager. “I’m thankful to still be a part of the 2011 team’s success,” Waite said.

Editor’s Note: This is a shortened version of the original story. To read the full version, see it at

http://www.thevillagenews.com.