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After 22 years of dedicated service to Newton Country Day, Kim Southall has concluded her 19-year tenure as Athletic Director. Initially hired as a Field Hockey coach in 2002 and later becoming Athletic Director in 2005, she helped shape the school’s athletic program into one defined by teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. Her leadership has exemplified the values Newton Country Day instills in its students–living lives of Courage and Confidence. As Southall prepares to close this chapter of her career, the community reflects on her remarkable contributions and the lasting legacy she leaves behind.

Southall’s coaching career with the Newton Country Day Varsity Field Hockey team has been celebrated with numerous awards and accolades. She has led the team to six EIL Championship titles, is a ten-time recipient of EIL Coach of the Year, and led her team to eight appearances in the NEPSAC Field Hockey tournament – as finalists in 2021, semi-finalists in 2022 and 2024, and quarter-finalists in 2023. Southall has also coached five EIL Players of the Year: Sophia Sgroi ‘15; Elizabeth Warner ‘17, who played NCAA Division I Field Hockey at Boston College; Jane Breshnahan ‘23, who currently plays NCAA Division I Field Hockey at Villanova University; Emma McCann ‘24, who currently plays field hockey for Middlebury College; and Lilly Pergola ‘25, who will play NCAA Division I Field Hockey at Boston College next year. 

Reflecting on her experience coaching alongside Southall, assistant Varsity Field Hockey coach Alison Vander Vort P ‘23 shared: “[Southall’s] deep knowledge of the game, combined with her love of teaching and care for the players, has resulted in one of the most successful programs in the EIL. She has fostered a team environment that creates success through hard work, team play, and love for each other. She leads by example, and those of us lucky enough to work with her–or be coached by her–are better off for the experience.” Assistant Athletic Director Alex Ebling shared: “[Southall] served as my mentor as a young coach, both in how you treat athletes and in how you treat colleagues. She was very willing to be an ear for me and listen to new ideas. I know I am better off for having had her guidance for 14 years.”

During her own years playing field hockey at Boston University, Southall earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region during her collegiate career. She was inducted into BU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. Her high school athletic career was equally distinguished, where she earned four-year varsity letters in basketball and softball alongside field hockey. She was named Maumee Valley Tournament MVP, All-Star Team MVP, All-Ohio All Star, Northern Ohio All-Star, team captain, and Ohio State Champion. She was inducted into the Toledo City Athletic League Hall of Fame in 2018 and, in September 2024, joined the Ottawa Hills High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

When asked what she was most proud of in her 22-year career, Southall shared, “As I look back on my time at Newton Country Day, there are many accomplishments that make me proud of our Athletic Program – undefeated seasons, EIL Championships, Conference Players of the Year, Coaches of the Year, girls moving on to compete at the collegiate level, and much much more. True satisfaction, however, comes from seeing the large number of multi-sport athletes we have cultivated throughout the years. One of the things I am most proud of is how, as coaches, we have created the environment in which students will try a sport for the first time, whether as a new ninth grader or a seasoned junior. Most of all, I am proud of watching our students develop into strong, confident women throughout their time with us.”

On behalf of the Newton Country Day School community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kim Southall for her leadership, passion, and unwavering dedication and commitment to our athletic program.