UC Coach Matthews' Legendary Career
By: Adela Rakoski '23
Over the span of four and a half decades, Kathy Matthews has managed to make her mark in school history as the most accomplished coach Union Catholic has ever seen. With a total of 750 wins, she has led Union Catholic to 13 conference titles, eight Union County titles, five sectional titles, and three state titles. In addition to these accomplishments, she has produced several dozen players that have gone on to play at a collegiate level.
To the surprise of her collegues, players, and even coaching staff, Matthews announced her retirement on the fourth of April, 2022, surrounded by family, friends and former players. A few minutes prior, Matthews had been recieving a special recognition award at The Basketball Reunion in Newark. “I just think it’s time,” Matthews said. “It’s time to do something else because it’s a huge commitment to run a program, and I’ve been doing it for a long time. I just felt it was time for me." The Union Catholic Community wishes her well on her future endevors.
"She is an inspiration and someone I look to for guidance as a player," Jules Landicho '25, a freshman on the varsity team remarks. "She would willingly guide her players if you were in need of a lesson." When Matthews started coaching in 1977, there were very few women in coaching positions, let alone working as a head coach. Many coaches throughout Union County today had either played under Coach Matthews, or against the girls she had coached. “She laid the groundwork for female coaches,” said Westfield coach Liz McKeon.