Book PDF | Page 40

COMMUNITY

Pioneers Take State !

For the first time since 1967 the Stillwater Pioneers have taken home a State Football Championship , which may forever memorialize Coach “ K ”.

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Mrs . Kilpatrick , lovingly known as Coach K , lost her battle with breast cancer the week before the state championship game . The former high school math teacher and girls basketball coach had fought her cancer since 2020 .

Twenty-four hours before the state championship game the Stillwater community , including about 40 football players in
their game jerseys , showed up to pay their respects to Kendra Kilpatrick .
The following day SPS canceled school in order for staff , students , and the community to show up at Oklahoma City University for the 6A-II State Championship game against Choctaw . The student section was decked out in pink , to honor Coach K ’ s battle with breast cancer . Each of the players helmets
was complete with a “ K ” decal attached to angel wings .
With nine seconds left the Pioneers recovered a final onside kick attempt and stole the win . As the players , students , and families rushed onto the field to celebrate the emotional victory , it was Kilpatrick ’ s husband , Ross , who delivered the Golden Ball to Stillwater ’ s Coach Barnard .
COMMERCE | 2023 Profile Magazine of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce