Kitty Palmer '72 Elected to Foxcroft School Sports Hall of Fame

Three-sport standout in high school, college -- and as a coach -- will be inducted March 5

Foxcroft’s Sports Hall of Fame is an exclusive club — and it seems to be getting harder to join! In its third year of existence just one individual, Kitty Anthony Palmer ’72, was elected by the eight voters in November. That’s half as many as last year when classmates Alison Firestone Robitaille ’95 and Jacey Edelman ’95 were inducted and five times fewer than 2014 when Miss Charlotte led an impressive inaugural class.
No matter how high the voters’ standards, Kitty belongs. A superb all-around athlete who excelled in field hockey, basketball, and tennis in high school and college, Kitty later became a successful coach and a champion paddle tennis player. The Guilford, CT, resident was a unanimous pick and will be inducted on March 5 during halftime of Fox/Hound Basketball Big Game.

Born and raised in the New York metropolitan area, Kitty came to Foxcroft as a sophomore and quickly became noted for her athletic ability. She especially stood out in field hockey; in one two-year period she scored 37 of the team’s 54 goals -- a feat that earned her an appearance in Sports Illustrated’s famous “Faces in the Crowd.” Kitty also played basketball and tennis, was Hound Captain and, as a senior received the Teresa E. Shook Award for skill and sportsmanship.

“I was the youngest of five siblings so I was included from as early as I can remember in all their athletic battles and family games,” Kitty says. “I remember always throwing or chasing any kind of ball.

“When I first came to Foxcroft, I remember I was, as a sophomore, thrown into the first varsity field hockey game of the season, and scored two goals,” Kitty recalls. “The Class of '72 was very athletic. . . We were very involved in all the sports, which made us really enjoy the School and the friends we made.”

At Lake Forest College near Chicago, Kitty continued to shine in the sports arena. She twice led the field hockey team in scoring, led the basketball team in scoring and rebounding one season and played No. 1 singles for Lake Forest’s undefeated tennis team. Kitty was also field hockey’s Most Valuable Player twice and was named an All-Star for the North Central Field Hockey Association Tournament. She was elected to the Lake Forest College Hall of Fame in 1986, her first year of eligibility.

“Playing three sports for four years (in college) didn't seem out of the ordinary as we did that at Foxcroft and at my day school,” Kitty added. “All my friends played all year as well. I only wish I was around for ice hockey. I would have loved to have played.”

After graduating with a degree in psychology, Kitty became a very successful high school coach of softball, field hockey, and tennis. She led the Guilford (CT) High School field hockey team to the 1991 Connecticut state championship and, 20 years later, coached Daniel Hand High (Madison, CT) to its first girls' tennis state title. Kitty just completed her 37th year of coaching field hockey; she has coached tennis for 15 years and has taught paddle tennis at the Madison Racquetball Club for 30 years.

But Kitty still finds time to play and compete herself. In paddle tennis, she and her doubles partner have been ranked as high as No. 2 in New England and No. 6 nationally. She also plays on an adult indoor field hockey team and a 4.5 USTA tennis team and plays golf competitively.

“My happiest days are centered around sports,” says Kitty. “I can thank my family for introducing me to them, and my three schools for improving my play -- and I thank my high school girls now for continuing to challenge me to coach to the best of my abilities.”
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.