Historic era coming to an end

Southern Sports & Travel

Success in high school athletics is often measured by one simple piece of data, championships.

The girls’ basketball program at Leake Academy reeled off an unprecedented seven consecutive state championships and MAIS powerhouse Jackson Prep adds multiple state titles to their trophy case each year but gone unnoticed has been an incredible coaching career that produced 32 state championships in 16 seasons.
Silliman girls’ track coach Sharon Kline has announced that she is stepping down from the position she has held since 1998. Kline, who was promoted to Athletic Director at Silliman in 2005, ends her stint with a remarkable resume that few can match.

Kline’s resume includes 15 girls track state championships, 8 girls cross country state titles and 9 boys cross country state crowns. Also 19 district championships, 16 south state championships and 11 consecutive state titles.

Kline has been at Silliman since the fall of 1980 and started helping then track coach John Allen Phares by keeping stats in the early 90’s when her son Chip was running cross country. It was soon after that when Kline was hooked on the sport.

“My daughter Kaylan was at one of the meets when she was in the sixth grade and Coach Phares asked her to run just for fun,” said Kline. “She finished first and totally blew me away, I became obsessed with this sport.”

When Phares left Silliman Kline took over the boys and girls cross country teams and while only 7 was needed for each team she had over 40 runners but decided to keep them all because of her enjoyment in seeing them progress.

“Cross Country is not a spectator sport but it’s so gratifying to watch the progress of the kids,” said Kline. “It takes dedication and it carries over into their everyday lives and that is evident in the fact that a majority of the Cross Country runners that I coached were also the better students in school.”

Kline ran track in high school and summer programs but the sport had evolved so much by the time she took over at Silliman. To fill the void of inexperience she watched videos constantly.

Of the 15 state championship girls track teams one stands alone to Kline. “The senior class of 2007 was hands down the best team I ever coached.” That squad included seniors Taylor Tynes, Kameryn Kline, Jamie Brian, Emma Sones and Molly Adkins.

Keeping interest in a program is not always an easy task but Kline summed it up in precise terms. “When there is success in a program everyone wants in but a coach has to make each person feel that they played a vital role in the program.”

2013 Class AA State Champions - 11th consecutive title

Kline will remain the Athletic Director at Silliman and a replacement to fill her shoes has not been named as of yet but while she is stepping aside her love for track will remain.

“I truly love coaching track and if you are obsessed like I am it will consume your life,” said Kline. “I now have three grandchildren that I adore and love spending time with.”

The time and commitment involved in building a strong track program is sometimes overlooked but Kline added perspective to the issue.

“Silliman is one of the few schools in the south that has a track and we host three huge invitational meets, a district meet and the south state meet. There is so much more involved in coaching than just competing and unless you have put on a meet before no one really understands the time and manpower that it takes to do this.”

Many at Silliman have benefited from Kline’s dedication and steadfastness over the past 20 years and her spot in the MAIS Coaches Hall of Fame is waiting but her passion for the sport leaves the door open in the future.

“I will not rule out coaching track in the future,” said Kline. “I love all the girls that I have coached and they know it but it’s time to experience and participate in other things.”

Kline’s coaching legacy is cemented at Silliman and her contribution to the MAIS and girls track is one worth celebrating. She quietly and diligently achieved excellence during her time as head coach and earned her place at the table amongst the very best coaches in the long, storied history of the MAIS.

“I am thankful that my husband and children were so supportive of me during the last 20 years. I will miss this special time that I’ve had but I’m ready to move on.”

Silliman Institute released the following statement: Sharon has been a devoted leader and role model to all of the students and athletes of Silliman Institute.  Her character and work ethic are unmatched.  Her coaching abilities will be missed. Sharon will remain Silliman's Athletic Director and will also continue to teach Biology.