Cathy Forrester

2026 Inductee

Cathy Forrester graduated from Chattanooga Valley High School in 1974. While in high school, she played basketball and was a cheerleader. She also played softball from a young age until she was in her early 20s. When her children were just preschoolers, she and her husband, David, coached their first recreation team in the spring of 1981 with a 16-and-under girls softball team. When her girls were old enough to play t-ball, she started coaching girls softball. She continued to coach in competitive summer travel ball until her girls both graduated from high school.

As a lifelong supporter of the Ridgeland community, she has been both indirectly and directly involved in many RHS programs, including softball, baseball, basketball, and football. She was a major contributor of her time and skills to the baseball and softball facilities.

Cathy worked as a Parent Involvement Coordinator for RHS from 2010 to 2015. During that time, she implemented many programs to support parents and encourage community involvement, including Panther Walks at feeder schools, mentorship programs for RHS students, College & Career Day, providing holiday meals for families in need, Student of the Week celebrations, and student attendance recognitions. She also helped support Ridgeland athletics during that time.

She continues to support the Ridgeland community. Every month, she and her husband serve birthday cake to all students who have birthdays during that month. She wants to make sure each student feels special and encouraged. She was also recently recognized as the Arnold “Pug” Eaves Memorial Award recipient from the Walker County BEAT.

All four of her children are Ridgeland alumni, and so far, four of her grandchildren are alumni, with more on their way to graduating from RHS. She is proud to be a lifelong supporter of Ridgeland High School.