Patricia Hemphill Cavender
Class of 2014
Patricia Hemphill Cavender turned a stellar playing career into four decades of winning teams and lifelong relationships. A Fayetteville (Tenn.) Central star and 1971–72 team MVP, she was District 16 MVP and a TSSAA All-Star before heading to Tennessee Tech to play basketball and volleyball, graduating with honors in 1976. She later earned graduate degrees from Alabama A&M in administration (1989) and physical education (1992).
Arriving at Butler High in 1977, Cavender spent 27 years as a teacher/coach, guiding softball, volleyball, and basketball. Stops followed at Discovery Middle (coach and athletic director) and Bob Jones High, plus service as an instructor at Calhoun Community College. Across nearly 40 years, her teams produced 36 winning seasons, 20 major tournament titles, eight city championships, eight state-tournament appearances, and she earned seven Coach of the Year awards. Her 2008 Bob Jones volleyball team captured a state championship. She remains active on the bench, most recently at Lincoln County High in Tennessee, and is a longtime certified official in both volleyball and softball.
Cavender’s philosophy is rooted in people. She cites her niece Jennifer Cummings and former Butler manager Mistie Hutchison—each persevering through physical limitations—as daily reminders to “never quit.” She also cherishes a message from Alabama’s C.M. Newton to Butler’s staff early in her career: “We do not coach a sport; we coach kids.”
Former players echo that impact. “Coach Cav made me the player and person I am,” said Jessica Offutt, who played for Cavender at Discovery and Bob Jones before earning Academic All-America honors at Mississippi State. Hard practices and high standards were matched by steady belief.
Teacher, coach, official, mentor—Cavender built programs and people. Wins mattered; relationships mattered more. It’s why so many still call her simply, and fondly, “Coach Cav.”
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