BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Many think it's the performance on the course that matters, but for Kim Goodin the impact she makes on her student-athletes overshadows any on-the-field success for Lady Tiger Golf.
Goodin was recognized by her peers and was voted as the Mid-South Conference 2015-16 Co-Coach of the Year. The honor is the first for Goodin who has led the Lady Tiger program for the previous two seasons. University of the Cumberlands' Chris Kraftick earned the other half of the votes.
"Congratulations to Coach Goodin for being named the MSC Women's golf Coach of the Year," said Rusty Hollingsworth, director of athletics. "She has done an excellent job of recruiting great athletes and continues to lead our program in the right direction."
CU has two team championships this season at the Cardinal Stritch Deer Park Invitational and University of Pikeville Spring Invitational. In addition, the Lady Tigers also have a third place and trio of runner-up finishes.
Goodin has also led the Lady Tiger program to its highest ranking in history at No. 15. Overall in the previous two seasons, Goodin has four tournament wins under her belt. She is the fourth coach in CU history to pick up Coach of the Year honors - Bill Sergeant (2000-2001), Lindsay Hines (2008-09, 2009-10) and Brent Vernon (2013-14)
"I am shocked, humbled and very appreciative because there is not a coach in the conference that I haven't called and had questions for," said Goodin. "This award belongs to these coaches, definitely the players and our team but also my assistant Lauren Willis. I am truly humbled for this honor."
Off the field is where Goodin has really made her mark. In the past two seasons, two Lady Tigers have earned the conference Champions of Character award. Olivia Parrott earned the award last year and Cassidy Scantland picked up the honor this year, both for their community service and commitment to the Five Core Values for the NAIA's Champions of Character award – respect, integrity, sportsmanship, responsibility and servant leadership.
"I'm very proud of her," said assistant coach and niece, Lauren Willis. "She's had an outstanding coaching career and she's not backing down now. She works hard and puts countless hours in to make sure that this team gets her best and it's paying off. We're proud of her and I feel blessed to have played for her and now coached with her."
Goodin is inherently familiar with Campbellsville, having two nieces who play(ed) golf at CU. She also isn't new to the coaching ranks, having coached boys and girls golf at Adair County High on two different occasions — where she taught for 16 years and ended her education career with a 13-year stint as assistant principal of John Adair Intermediate School.
Goodin played a year of golf at the University of Kentucky before transferring to then Campbellsville College in 1981 to play softball for Hall of Fame basketball coach Donna Wise. She won numerous honors as a player and a coach during her careers at Adair County High and Campbellsville.
After retiring as an educator in 2013, Goodin began teaching part time in the university's Human Performance Department where she handles a limited class load.
