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Amanda Cotter Named Head Coach for Baylor Girls' Cross Country Team

Barbara Kennedy

Jan 7 2025 4:17 PM

Updated Jan 7 2025 4:18 PM

Feb 14 2025 4:19 PM

Amanda Cotter will take the reins of the girls' cross country team as head coach following the retirement of veteran coach Heather Ott.

Baylor School has announced that Amanda Cotter will take the reins of the girls' cross country team as head coach following the retirement of veteran coach Heather Ott. Heather Biebel will remain as the team’s assistant coach.

"I believe that Amanda Cotter is the perfect person to continue the exemplary culture that Coach Ott has fostered for many years in our cross country program,’ said Mark Price, Baylor’s athletic director. “Amanda's experience coaching top level athletes coupled with her decorated career as a runner will be a tremendous resource for the athletes she will coach."

Cotter was captain of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga cross country and track teams, a Southern Conference champion, a member of the NCAA All Region cross country team and a UTC record holder for the distance medley relay. She served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for UTC from 2015-2020. In that role, she also oversaw the academic performance of women’s cross country, resulting in a 2018 team GPA of 3.8, the highest in program history.

Prior to her collegiate running career, Cotter was a four-time school record holder (1000m, 1600m, 3200m, and 400m) for Bristol Eastern High School in Bristol, Conn. She was a four-time state champion and a member of the Bristol Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame.

"I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead the girls' cross country team and to continue to build off the foundation set by Coach Ott. Baylor has a proven record of success, and I firmly believe we have the opportunity to develop athletes to become runners, teammates, and students of the highest caliber," said Cotter.

Cotter holds a B.S. degree in psychology from UTC and has served as a dorm parent and Dean of Residential Life for Baylor since 2023. She lives on campus with her husband, Lucas, and their three children: Addison ’29, James, and Ruth.

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New Academic Page Highlights Faculty

November 6, 2024 11:38 AM

Updated November 6, 2024 11:39 AM

Meet nine teachers and read what they enjoy most about teaching at Baylor.

A new academic page on our website (view it here) takes a closer look at nine Baylor teachers who were gracious enough to let us pry into their interests outside of the classroom and explore what they enjoy most about teaching at Baylor.

These nine faculty members represent a bigger picture of an amazing community of teachers who have earned degrees in everything from classical studies to computational engineering. They bring experience from teaching at all levels of education in both public and independent school settings. Their interests are just as varied: they have won competitive races, paddled rivers, trekked mountains, started their own businesses, volunteered in their communities, and traveled the world. The variety of their lives notwithstanding, the one thing that remains constant is that teaching matters most to them, and they are hopeful about their students and about what the future holds for them.

Baylor Faculty Fast Facts:

118 Teaching Faculty

40+ Live on Campus

18 Advanced Degrees

10 Doctorate Degrees

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Annual Event Highlights Leadership Opportunities for Ninth Grade Class

November 6, 2024 11:33 AM

Updated November 6, 2024 11:33 AM

Members of the senior class and adult leaders discussed how the Class of 2028 can participate in various Baylor activities and support systems that are available to them.

This year's annual Boys’ Night and Girls’ Night provided ninth grade students the opportunity to learn more about leadership opportunities in the Upper School and the many ways they might contribute to the Baylor community.

Guided by the theme, “The B is Greater than Me," members of the senior class and adult leaders discussed how the Class of 2028 can continue to adjust to the Upper School and the various Baylor activities and support systems that are available to them. Each evening included dinner, breakout sessions on various topics, and plenty of great conversations.

History Department Chair Heather Biebel, who has been involved with the annual Girls’ Night events since the history department brought the program back in 2022, said 125 ninth graders were involved. “This is a night when we see our senior leaders shine. Some worked on creating the night’s theme and the breakout sessions, others were group leaders," said Biebel. "They all spent time getting to know our ninth graders, and every senior involved led by example. Our ninth graders left the events with knowledge on how they can get involved in the Baylor Community and how they can become leaders at Baylor as well."

History instructors Cecily Honeycutt and Jack Studer '01 coordinated the programing for the events. Other adult leaders involved with Girls’ Night were faculty members Lizzie Gendimenico, Kelly Good, Mary Beth Hopping, Kelly O’Mara, Carrie Rice, and coach Kelli Howard-Smith ’95. Faculty leaders involved with the Boys’ Night along with Studer were Rev. Matt Farr ’03, Nick Boehm ’98, Andrew Hoffman ’18, Vic Oakes, Angelo Coclanis, along with varsity coaches Erik Kimrey, Toney Easely, and Cole Johnson.

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Save the Date for Celebrations 2025!

November 6, 2024 11:21 AM

Updated November 6, 2024 11:40 AM

Proceeds from Baylor’s biennial auction goes directly to The Baylor Fund.

Save the Date for Celebrations’25, RED ALERT – Saturday, March 8, 2025, Baylor’s biennial auction when Baylor parents, alumni, and friends will gather in the Field House for a seated dinner, silent auction, energizing live auction and so much more. It is a fun night with all proceeds from this extraordinary event going to The Baylor Fund, which provides direct support for faculty development, community service, academics, arts, athletics, financial aid, and the boarding program.

Hundreds of volunteers and supporters are working hard to ensure the success of this important Baylor event. For more information on how you can be involved, click here!

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Faculty and Staff Honored for Years of Service

October 18, 2024 3:24 PM

Updated October 18, 2024 3:24 PM

World Language Instructor Kenneth Parks, pictured with Dean of Faculty William Montgomery ’92 and Head of School Chris Angel ’89, marked his 40-year milestone of teaching at Baylor.

Baylor School recognized 28 faculty, staff, and administrators for years of service during assembly on Sept. 6.

World Language Instructor Kenneth Parks marked his 40th year as a Baylor faculty member, teaching both French and Spanish.

Others marking employment milestones were Betsy Carmichael, Penny Tullock, and Kristin Vines, 35 years; Beth Gumnick, 30 years; Gary Cain, Dallas Joseph, Barbara Kennedy, Carissa Margio, and Gary Partrick, 25 years; Suzie Boyle and Christy Tomisek, 20 years; Bett Adams, Jean Lau, William Montgomery, and Maria Reap; 15 years; Averil Blue, Justin Burner, Lee Casson, Michael Clark, Jeff Gaither, and Walt Kean, 10 years; and Linda Barber, Jennifer Ford, Cecily Honeycutt, Cody McGee, Bruno Poco, Mary Catherine Robbins, Natalie Rodriguez-Nelson, Rhonda Sixto, Doug Smith, Garrison Smith, and Hattie Weams, five years.

Pictured above are *(front row, left to right)* **Rhonda Sixto, Natalie Rodriguez-Nelson, Suzie Boyle, Jean Lau, Penny Tullock,** and **Mary Catherine Robbins**; *(middle row)* **Gary Partrick, Gary Cain, Barbara Kennedy, Dallas Joseph, Beth Gumnick, Betsy Carmichael, Doug Smith,** and Jennifer Ford; *(back row)* **Michael Clark, Walt Kean, Lee Casson, Kenneth Parks, Jeff Gaither, Justin Burner, Cody McGee, Hattie Weams,** and Cecily Honeycutt. *(not pictured: **Linda Barber, Averil Blue, Bruno Poco, Garrison Smith, Christy Tomisek,** and Kristin Vines).*

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2024 Distinguished Service Honorees and Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

October 16, 2024 3:18 PM

Updated October 18, 2024 3:20 PM

Head of School Awards recipients Samuel D. Holmes '83 and Phillip B. Whitaker, Jr. '79.

Baylor School honored 12 members of the school community during the Head of School Awards and Memorial Chapel Service on Oct. 4, as part of the Alumni Weekend 2024 festivities.

Samuel D. Holmes ’83 was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. The John T. “Buddy” Fisher ’46 Distinguished Service Award was Philip B. Whitaker, Jr. ’79.

Dedicated Service honorees were awarded to recent retirees Leslie Davenport (27 years), and Perry Key ’81 (36 years).

The eight new Sports Hall of Fame inductees were Precious Birdsong ’14 (softball), Samantha Caswell ’14 (tennis), Ben Cook ’91 (tennis), Martin Grodzki ’09 (swimming), Tim Parker III ’98 (basketball), and Stephanie Napier Threlkeld ’06 (swimming).

Phil Hibdon,former equipment manager, and Doug Moser, girls' softball and basketball coach, were inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame posthumously for their service and contributions to the school's athletic program.

Enjoy photos here: Head of School Awards Ceremony and Luncheon in Lupton Circle