Kimberly Satterfield Van Atta

Born Tuesday, June 29, 1965, in Nashville, Kim was a force of nature from the very beginning, defined by her competitive spirit, relentless drive, and a refusal to ever quit. A standout athlete, she helped lead Mt. Juliet High School to the 1983 Class AAA state championship and went on to play at Lipscomb University, where she became one of the most accomplished players in program history. She earned NAIA All-American honors and finished her career as the Bison’s all-time leading scorer with 2,163 points. In 1997, she became the first female inducted into the Lipscomb Athletic Hall of Fame.

Kim’s love of the game extended far beyond her playing days. She continued to shape and mentor others as a coach at both the NAIA and NCAA Division I levels, including her time at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Basketball was never just a sport to her. It was a language, a discipline, and a way she connected with the world.

Those who knew Kim best understood that her greatest impact happened off the court.

Professionally, Kim found her calling as the Assistant Director of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, where she dedicated more than 20 years of service. In her role, she led initiatives focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety and managed media partnerships with sports teams and major events across the state. It was her dream job. She loved the work, believed deeply in its impact, and cherished the long-lasting relationships she built throughout her career.

She was fierce in her love and unwavering in her loyalty. A true competitor in every sense, Kim approached life the same way she approached the game, with intensity, grit, and heart. She was deeply literal, yet became known for something beautifully unexpected: her curiosity and her willingness to grow. Her signature phrase, “oh, okay,” became a quiet but powerful reflection of her openness, an evolution that those closest to her came to cherish.

Kim had an uncanny ability to befriend just about anyone. Whether a lifelong friend or someone she had just met, she made people feel seen, included, and part of something. She was also incredibly funny, quick-witted in her own way, often unintentionally so, bringing laughter and lightness even in the most ordinary moments.

She loved deeply and without hesitation, especially her daughter, K.C., who she often considered her twin flame. Their bond was one of shared strength, understanding, and fierce devotion. Together, they shared a love of Duke basketball that became its own tradition, watching every game on the phone and breaking down each play as if K.C. were Jay Bilas and Kim were Dan Shulman, living every moment of it in real time.

She was preceded in death by her father, Earl Satterfield.

She is survived by her daughter, K.C. Van Atta-Casebier; her son-in-law, Greg Casebier; her two grandsons, Kash and Riggs Casebier; her mother, Beverly Satterfield; her sisters, Keri and Kristy; and her best friend, Jamie Wright.

Kim’s legacy is one of athletic excellence, resilience, strength, humor, and the ability to face the uncomfortable head-on. She taught those around her how to endure, how to overcome, and how to lift others up along the way. Her impact will continue to live on in the people she shaped, supported, and loved so fiercely.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 16 at Lipscomb University’s McQuiddy Gymnasium. Guests are encouraged to wear Duke apparel or royal blue in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Emily K. Center in Durham, North Carolina.