When South Lakes High School opened, Pat joined the faculty as a physical education teacher, assistant athletic director, and girls’ basketball coach. 

 

Pat was a players’ coach.  Her reputation as one of the best coaches in all Virginia was built on taking programs from beginners’ levels to district, regional, and state championships.  Players on Pat’s team learned first-hand the commitment necessary to achieve success in basketball and through her model, the commitment necessary to success in living.  From Pat, her players and opponents learned that the commitment of those who love basketball is an ongoing process—that if you get anything out of the game, you put yourself and your enthusiasm back into the sport for its inevitable betterment, an attitude that mirrored her approach to life. 

 

Pat was a coaches’ coach.  In her fourteen years of coaching at George C. Marshall and South Lakes High Schools, Pat brought a new dimension to the title of “coach”.  She was one of the prime forces for the development of girls’ basketball in Fairfax County that has given the county a reputation as one of the strongest in the country.  She served on countless committees, promoted growth and change, studied constantly, and shared with any and all coaches her ever-loving knowledge and love for the sport of basketball. 

 

Patricia Bergan died of heart failure at her home while working on plans for a district track meet.  Because of her dedication to both student and staff, the stadium at South Lakes was named in her honor.  The Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators and Coaches Association is pleased to award a scholarship annually in the name of Patricia A. Bergan.