Memorial Set for Legendary Coach Deatherage
Dr. L. Scott Deatherage, 47, native of Friendswood, TX, died Christmas day in Chicago. Born January 2, 1962, he was the fifth son to Robert and Evelyn (Spanihel) Deatherage. Graduating from Friendswood in 1980, he went on to receive his BBA and MA from Baylor. He found a home at Northwestern University, where he received his PhD in 1994 and was Director of the Debate Society for 18 years. During this time, his teams achieved unparalleled competitive success, and he served as a senior lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies.
Scott's name is synonymous with debate. The "winningest" coach in the history of national collegiate debate, he led the Northwestern University team to an unprecedented seven national championships in 14 years.
During his tenure, he coached four individuals to Top Speaker awards at the National Debate Tournament (NDT) and directed four winners of the NDT Copeland Award. In 2003, he was named the Pelham National Coach of the Year. In 2007, he received the George W. Ziegelmueller National Debate Tournament Coach of the Year Award. Scott became a legend in his own time. Known as "The Duck," he was voted the "Coach of the Decade" for the 1990s by his peers.
Over the years, he learned and taught the ability of debate, using the power of sharp thinking, persuasive communication, and argumentation to transform the lives of students. He wielded his passion for debate like an artist’s brush, creating one masterpiece after another, teaching and guiding his students to find their own passion. He combined his photographic memory with an almost unerring logic, mixed with the determination of a Deatherage and a liberal dose of quick thinking, to sculpt winning minds in a way that Michelangelo could only paint.
It was his destiny to join the NAUDL - the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. His one goal in life, what little he knew he had left, was "to build debate programs in the many thousands of high schools across the United States where that opportunity has not existed for a long, long time." As executive director, in just the last two years, Scott led the NAUDL to bring urban debate to eight new cities and 150 new schools, serving over 1,500 students per year.
He is survived by his sister, Diana Baldwin, of Columbia, MO, and his brothers - Donald Deatherage and wife Rita of Waco, TX; Patrick and wife Sheila; and Michael and wife Emma Deatherage of Houston, TX; as well as William Lechner of Virgina and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 16, 2010, at the Chapel of Sagemont Church, 11300 S. Sam Houston Parkway E., Houston, TX 77089. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations go to the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues or the Northwestern University Debate Society.