A local high school track coach who recently passed away will soon be immortalized at the school he worked at.
The late Patrick Cady, who taught history and coached track and field for over 30 years at Samohi, will be honored by having the school’s track named after him. Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District staff unanimously approved the naming during a Thursday, August 15 Board of Education meeting.
Students, runners and pole vaulters alike will soon see the words ‘PATRICK CADY TRACK’ painted in white emblazoned on Samohi’s blue and gold track.
“It’s a definite honor,” Linda Cady, the late Patrick Cady’s wife said. “He lived and breathed the passion of track and field and cross country. I just know he would be very happy to know his name is out there to perpetuate his passion.”
A memorial will be held for Cady on August 25 at the school where Samohi and district staff will reveal the Cady track naming. Additionally, a plaque will be placed within the school that will signify Cady’s importance to the Santa Monica community throughout his 37 years of teaching and coaching.
Cady affected many throughout the community in ways big and small, both personally and financially.
Linda Cady tells a score of stories about Patrick helping others — buying shoes for less fortunate students, giving kids from broken homes his house phone number if they needed someone to talk to and constantly preaching inclusion.
District staff sings praises of Cady as well. SMMUSD board member Laurie Lieberman said Cady “embodies everything SMMUSD aspires to be,” noting Cady’s influence on countless lives with “his big heart, boundless encouragement, compassion and warmth.”
Dr. Mark Kelly, SMMUSD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, saying Cady always challenged and motivated students to do their best.
“He invested so much of himself as a teacher and coach, inspiring students over many years,” Kelly said in an e-mail. “As a teacher, Mr. Cady worked very hard to help students succeed academically. He was always willing to give students as a second, third and fourth chance.
“Mr. Cady loved being a teacher and a coach, and his students knew that and it made them comfortable to work to achieve. Routinely, in any walk across campus, he was always joined by one or more students who just wanted to talk to him. All around, a teacher who loved his profession and his school.”
angel@smdp.com
