Kim Satterfield Van Atta, a celebrated basketball player from Mt. Juliet and Lipscomb, passed away at 60 after a long illness. She was instrumental in leading the Mt. Juliet girls basketball team to a state championship in 1983.
Key points
Kim Satterfield Van Atta died at 60 after an extended illness
She was a key player on the Mt. Juliet girls basketball state championship team in 1983
Inducted into the Lipscomb Athletic Hall of Fame
Made the All-Nashville Interscholastic League first team
Mt. Juliet team ranked 13th nationally by USA Today in 1983
Mentioned in this story
Kim Satterfield Van AttaLipscomb
Mt. Juliet girls basketball
Mt. Juliet, Lipscomb basketball great Kim Satterfield Van Atta dies at 60
Kim Satterfield Van Atta, who helped lead the Mt. Juliet girls basketball team to the state championship and is in the Lipscomb Athletic Hall of Fame, died on May 2 following an extended illness. She was 60.
Satterfield Van Atta was a key player on Mt. Juliet's 1983 Class AAA state title team. She made the All-Nashville Interscholastic League first team along with teammates Kim Bingham and Lori Gross. She also made the all-state tournament team.
That Mt. Juliet team finished the season ranked 13th nationally by USA Today's final Super 25 Girls Basketball Poll.
McMinn Central's Malea Masingale (21) shoots ahead of Loretto's Ally Augustin (12) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Loretto's Sophie Weathers (32) reaches in attempting to steal the ball from McMinn Central's Mirra Freeman (40) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Q&A
What were Kim Satterfield Van Atta's achievements in high school basketball?
Kim Satterfield Van Atta was a key player on the Mt. Juliet girls basketball team that won the 1983 Class AAA state championship and was named to the All-Nashville Interscholastic League first team.
When did Kim Satterfield Van Atta pass away?
Kim Satterfield Van Atta died on May 2 at the age of 60 after an extended illness.
What honors did Kim Satterfield Van Atta receive during her basketball career?
She was inducted into the Lipscomb Athletic Hall of Fame and made the all-state tournament team during her high school career.
How was the Mt. Juliet girls basketball team ranked nationally in 1983?
The Mt. Juliet girls basketball team finished the 1983 season ranked 13th nationally by USA Today's final Super 25 Girls Basketball Poll.
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Loretto's Sophie Weathers (32) and McMinn Central's Maddie Kirkpatrick (12) fights for the ball during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
McMinn Central's Kytalin Davis (14) shoots against Loretto's Shanna Fisher (10) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
McMinn Central's Malea Masingale (21) drives between Loretto's Ally Augustin (12) and Sophie Weathers (32) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
1 / 5
Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament
McMinn Central's Malea Masingale (21) shoots ahead of Loretto's Ally Augustin (12) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
1 / 5
Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament
McMinn Central's Malea Masingale (21) shoots ahead of Loretto's Ally Augustin (12) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
2 / 5
Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament
Loretto's Sophie Weathers (32) reaches in attempting to steal the ball from McMinn Central's Mirra Freeman (40) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
3 / 5
Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament
Loretto's Sophie Weathers (32) and McMinn Central's Maddie Kirkpatrick (12) fights for the ball during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
4 / 5
Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament
McMinn Central's Kytalin Davis (14) shoots against Loretto's Shanna Fisher (10) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
5 / 5
Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament
McMinn Central's Malea Masingale (21) drives between Loretto's Ally Augustin (12) and Sophie Weathers (32) during a TSSAA Class 2A basketball state quarterfinal game at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
She played at Lipscomb from 1983 to 1987. In 1986 and '87, she became the first female Lipscomb athlete to earn NAIA All-American honors.
In 1997, Satterfield Van Atta became the first female inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame.
She was a four-time all-conference selection and finished her career as the Bisons' all-time leading scorer with 2,163 points. She also set the school record for most points in a game with 37.
Satterfield Van Atta went on to serve as a coach on the NAIA and NCAA Division I levels, including at Tennessee-Martin (1996-2004).
A celebration of life service is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on May 16 at Lipscomb's McQuiddy Gymnasium. Satterfield Van Atta became a Duke basketball fan, and guests are asked to wear Duke apparel or royal blue to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Emily K. Center in Durham, North Carolina.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on a X @MikeOrganWriter.
