Class of 2005
Teams:
Kennesaw State University: 1991-2013
Scott Whitlock, a 2005 inductee into the NFCA Hall of Fame, coached at Kennesaw State University from 1991 through 2013. Currently he serves as the senior associate athletics director at the school.
As a member of the administrative team, Whitlock is responsible for capital projects, as well as serving as the program administrator for baseball, men’s golf and volleyball. He also works closely with the football program, assisting the newest KSU program with its upload, scheduling and facilities. He is a member of both the department’s strategic and management teams and assists Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams in the day-to-day management of the 18-sport intercollegiate athletics program. Among the capital projects Whitlock has managed are the renovations of the football coaching staff offices and Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
The 2012-13 academic year marked the conclusion of a storied career as Kennesaw State’s head softball coach.
During his illustrious career, Whitlock garnered two national titles, 13 regional crowns and more personal accolades than can be mentioned. He was the driving force that made Owls softball one of the most admired and respected programs in the country.
After successful runs at the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels, Whitlock carried his success into Division I. The Bostwick, Ga. native compiled a 228-157 (.592) overall record in eight seasons at the Division I level including winning the Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Title in 2007 and 2012.
Legendary is a word that is often overused, but it is appropriate when describing Whitlock’s career. A total of 51 All-Americans can attest to that. He inspired his teams to always bring their best game to the diamond and drove his players to a higher level while playing against the best competition in the nation. The two national championships are proof.
Whitlock guided the Owls to back-to-back Division II national championships in 1995 and 1996. In his 21 seasons coaching fastpitch, Whitlock compiled an overall record of 997-296 (.771), placing him near the top in most NCAA softball coaching categories.
While at the helm of the Owls, Whitlock produced 18 consecutive 35-win seasons from 1991 to 2008; he had fifteen 40-win campaigns and four seasons in which his clubs won 50 or more games. Additionally, Whitlock led the Owls to nine consecutive seasons (1992-2000) in which they never lost more than a single-digit number of games. Every year from 1991 through 2002, Whitlock led the Owls to a final top 10 national ranking.
Perhaps one of the finest two-year runs in softball history came during the 1999 and 2000 seasons when the Owls combined for 108 wins. Whitlock’s 108-15 record (.878) represented two of the eight times in which Kennesaw State finished a season ranked in the top four.
Whitlock’s ability to coach was surpassed only by his ability to recruit. The Owls were laden with talent during his 23 years at the helm, producing 51 All-Americans. There have been 24 First Team All-American selections, 19 Second Team selections and eight Third Team honorees. During his storied tenure with the Owls, Whitlock also produced a pair of NCAA Division II National Player-of-the-Year Award winners in Audra Thomas (2000) and Kelly Rafter (1995).
The accolades continued at the Division I level, as he coached two Atlantic Sun Conference Players of the Year (Keri McKee-2007 and Jessica Cross-2012), Pitcher of the Year (Brittany Matthews-2007) and Freshman of the Year (Ashlee Burkett-2010). Whitlock himself earned A-Sun Conference Coach of the Year honors three times, receiving the honor in 2006, 2007 and 2012.
Two-time Olympian, Colleen Thorburn (Canada), honed her skills under Whitlock in the early days of the program, while Whitlock’s international experience helped to develop third baseman Sarah Lockett, who was selected to participate on Great Britain’s National Team in 2003.
Besides his induction into the NFCA, he also was honored with induction into the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2010.
In 2001, Whitlock joined Florida State head football coach Bobby Bowden and Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt as a contributor to Dr. Stephen Brennan’s book “Six Psychological Factors for Success.” In addition, Whitlock has written numerous articles for various publications.
In December of 2003, Whitlock received another honor when he became a member of the Cherry Hill, New Jersey based “Be the Best You Are” Softball Clinic Speakers’ Hall of Fame.
From 2003-2009, Whitlock spent time on the staff of the United States National Softball Team. In 2006 he traveled with the squad and was a member of the USA staff that guided the U.S. to gold medal wins at the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City and the ISF Women’s World Championship in Beijing, China. Whitlock also served as a member of the 2007 national team staff, helping the American team capture Canada Cup and World Cup titles.
Whitlock was a key figure in helping the Owls move into the Bobbie Bailey Complex, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in February of 2004. The complex is considered by many as one of the crown jewels of fastpitch facilities. During the planning process, Whitlock aided in fundraising activities and was instrumental in the facility’s design and amenities.
