Episode 183: Coach Kathy Richey-Walton (Head Girls Basketball Coach, Southwest dekalb High School) Decatur, GA (5 Times GHSA State Champions)

After coaching for more than 20 years at the college level, Kathy Richey-Walton accepted a coaching/teaching position in the DeKalb County School System in Decatur, Georgia. Mrs. Richey-Walton coached and taught for two years at McNair Middle School before transferring to Southwest DeKalb High School in 2002. Since arriving at Southwest DeKalb High School (SWD), the girl’s basketball program has posted a 413-130 record in 18 seasons, winning back to back to back GHSA (Georgia High School Association) AAAA State Championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Then, again winning State Championships in 2013 and 2016. In addition, the Lady Panthers have finished runner-ups in the championship game in 2012, 2014 and 2017, marking the eight time in the last 10 years that the Lady Panthers have played for a State Championship, winning five State Championships, three runner-ups as well as nine Region Championships (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2010 and 2008). At the same time, Coach Walton was named the 2010 and 2008 Garland F. Pinholster High School Coach of the Year, 2009 BCA (Black Coaches and Administrators) National High School Coach of the Year, the 2009 Bobby Cremins State Coach of the Year, the 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2008 DeKalb County Coach of the Year and the 2009 GAHPERD (Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Teacher of the Year as well as the 2014 Southwest DeKalb High School Teacher of the Year. In October of 2018, Coach Walton, was inducted into the Southwest DeKalb Athletic Hall of Fame. Then, again in September of 2019, Coach Walton, was inducted into the Slippery Rock University Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Walton gained national coaching experience when she coached the Blue Team to a Silver Medal during at the 2005 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the USA Basketball Youth Olympic 2010 Team, to a Bronze Medal in the first ever 3 on 3 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, Singapore. She also coached the Georgia Metros 16 and Under team to four national championships, winning the 16 and Under AAU Nationals and the 17 and Under (USJN) United States Junior Nationals in Washington, D.C in 2005. The Georgia Metros went on to repeat as the 17 and Under USJN Champions and won the Nike National Championships in Augusta, Georgia in 2006. WNBA and college stand-outs such as Maya Moore (UCONN), Kelley Cain (Tennessee), Ashley Houts (Georgia), Jordan Greenleaf (Auburn) and Janae Stokes (South Florida) were members of those teams. Before becoming a teacher and coach in the DeKalb County School System, Coach Walton served as the Talent Coordinator for the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) [email protected]