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ALUM Spotlight Beverly Kearney '81

Photos courtesy of the University of Texas Photography Department

Five-time NCAA Coach of the Year, Beverly Kearney is beginning her 15th year as head coach of the nationally recognized women’s track team at the University of Texas. The former Auburn standout has led the Longhorns to six NCAA national championships, 19 Big 12 conference titles and 14 top-three national team finishes. Kearney’s student athletes have won nine Olympic medals, and her coaching accomplishments and accolades are virtually unmatched at the NCAA level.

Four years ago, Kearney suffered spinal injuries and was partially paralyzed in a car accident that left two friends dead. After several surgeries and coaching her team from a hospital bed and wheelchair, she fought to walk again. The tale of Kearney’s successful recovery inspired a television documentary and has been covered by media outlets around the country, including HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” monthly magazine show. Kearney will share her story with AU minority alumni and friends at a tent party from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the home of AU President Ed Richardson. Her speech is part of the Auburn Alumni Association’s annual Minority Alumni Involvement Now (MAIN) Event.

Q. Please tell us about what you 've been doing since graduating AU.

A. Since graduating from Auburn I attended Indiana State University where I received my master's degree and began my coaching career as grad assistant coach for the men's and women's track and field team. After leaving Indiana State University I took a position as men's and women's assistant coach at the university of Toledo in Ohio and was later named head women's coach and men's assistant coach at the same university. In 1984 I was named the top assistant coach at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where the team was a consistent top 3-5 NCAA Championship finisher. In 1987-88 I was named the women's head track/cross country coach at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fl at the age of 28 I was the youngest head coach in Florida's history. I also became the first African-American to win an NCAA title in the sport of Track and Field and won the University's first National Championship in that sport. In 1992-93 I became the first African-American head coach in the History of the University of Texas in Austin, TX and am presently still holding that position. I have a foundation called "Pursuit of Dreams" and in the process of writing a book along with an option for a movie based on my life. I also travel the country doing motivational speeches for youth programs and corporate America.

Q. What are the most exciting and toughest aspects of your coaching position at Univ. of Texas?

A. The most exciting and yet the toughest thing about being the head coach at the University of Texas is being a great representative for people of color as well as women. Everything you do impacts one or both of these groups so my success has hopefully open doors for greater opportunity for people of color as well as for women. My goal is to walk my talk and be a great example of what we can accomplish if given the opportunity.

Q. Why did you choose to attend AU?

A. I chose to attend Auburn University because at the time I was homeless and had lost my mother my senior year in high school. I attended junior college where I worked hard to acquire a scholarship to a major university. Auburn's coach talked a lot about what Auburn had to offer me as well as what my talents could mean to the university. Both of those things provided me with the security I needed to fulfill my dream of making something more of my life than my present surroundings offered to me. Although I had other offers I followed my heart to Auburn.

Q. What is your favorite memory from your days at Auburn?

A. My favorite memory from Auburn is the team and all the crazy things we did together being the first group of women athletes on the track program on scholarships we definitely left our mark with the crazy and wonderful things we did. I also remember walking across the stage both excited and scared at the same time. The time I spent in college is things that make great stories and great memories.

Q. Any advice to current students?

A. My advice for the young students of today is to make sure you follow your dreams and your heart. Do your best to be the best you can be and take the time to learn life's lessons in your experiences while you are in that protected environment because they will serve you well. The best lessons you will learn are not just the one's you find in the classroom but the one's you experience as you move from teenagers to young adults. Embrace each moment because they will not return both the ups and downs are part of the moments that make you who you need to be in order to accomplish what you desire to do in life. Blessings and thank you for taking the time to find out where I am and what I am doing.