Northwestern State University of Louisana

President of Northwestern from 1966-1978, Dr. Kilpatrick oversaw the movement of the university's athletic program to the NCAA Division 1 status, the beginning of intercolleigate athletics for women and the development of the modern athletic complex, with the focal points being the fieldhouse and renovated football stadium. The $9 million project changed the face of Demon athletics. It included establishment of a modern track and field complex and outstanding training and weight room facilities for use by all Northwestern athletes, along with coaching and administrative office for athletic staff. After serving as president of the Gulf South Conference, Kilpatrick was a leader on the national athletic scene as well, serving as president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 1974. Under his tenure, Northwestern football and gymnastics teams were ranked ranked No. 1 nationally in NAIA competition. A 1943 graduate of Northwestern and a former football, track and field and baseball athlete for the Demons, Kilpatrick was a highly successful basketball coach at Jonesboro-Hodge High School and later served as athletic director and head basketball coach from 1951-57 at Northeast Louisiana University, where he was responsible for getting NLU admitted into the GSC. He was name state "Coach of the Year" in 1955 after guiding the Indians to 22 wins.