Lillian “Lil” Shelton
Severna Park High School
Impact Statement
Shelton retired after 37 seasons with 20 State Champions, the most state titles by any coach in field hockey.
Biography
Shelton’s 37th and final season concluded last fall with her 20th state championship, more than any other coach in National Federation high school history. Severna Park’s 3-1 victory over Bethesda-Chevy Chase High in the 4A final capped a 17-2 season and lifted Shelton’s final record to 544-60-10, with 31 Anne Arundel County and 29 regional titles.
She built those numbers despite Maryland being restricted to playing the shortest regular-season schedule in the United States – just 12 regular season games, plus one in-season tournament – the latter requiring Shelton’s lobbying efforts before the Maryland state legislature to be added to the schedule.
Shelton, who retired from teaching in 2000, started the county’s first program with sticks found in a broom closet, and was instrumental in the addition of youth leagues and Bermuda-grass fields to strengthen the sport. Shelton was named the Dita/National Field Hockey Coaches Association South Region Coach of the Year this season, and she also received national Coach of the Year honors from TopOfTheCircle.com and VarsitySportsNetwork.com.
In April of 2019, Severna Park High School dedicated the field hockey field in honor of Shelton and her commitment to the school and community.
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