Coach Pat Deacon and professor Phil Points: Lifelong friends, Transylvania colleagues
Story submitted by Patricia Blackburn “Pat” Deacon and George Philip “Phil” Points ’57
Forty-five minutes north of Lexington is the picturesque community of Dry Ridge, Kentucky. Early travelers would stop at inns on the ridge for curative waters, and two celebrities were born there: country singer Skeeter Davis and music educator Lulu Vere Childers.
Patricia Blackburn “Pat” Deacon and George Philip “Phil” Points ’57 were also Dry Ridge natives — who both went on to serve as renowned Transylvania faculty members. Beginning with their small-town roots, their lives have been remarkably intertwined as they’ve made their mark on the world.
Their lives intertwined from their 1935 births, back when their fathers played basketball together and their mothers socialized together. Starting elementary school together in 1941, Deacon and Points developed a lifelong friendship and a love for athletics.
Deacon, limited by the era’s lack of sports teams for girls, often played basketball with Points during practice. This inequity helped shape her future advocacy for Title IX. Deacon creatively organized “country teams” using barn-mounted hoops, playing even in bad weather in a loft space cleared by her father.
Both attended Dry Ridge Christian Church and summer camps together. After high school, Points went to Transylvania and Deacon to the University of Kentucky. Points continued his education at the College of the Bible, earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and married Loris Eckler. Deacon earned a master’s from UK, married Jack Deacon, and taught in various states.
In 1971, both joined the faculty at Transylvania. The Rev. Points served as a religion professor, chaired the humanities division, and participated in various committees, retiring in 2001. He received a Distinguished Service Award and continued contributing to alumni activities.
Deacon was a coach, administrator, and professor, inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2000. Pat Deacon Stadium was named in her honor. She coached field hockey and basketball, achieving notable records and conference championships, retiring in 1999.
Deacon and Points, both nearing 90, remain close friends, exemplifying how small-town roots can lead to significant achievements.
