Natalie Randolph
If it’s not hard, it’s not worth it. Whether it was building an unprecedented football program, running a highly successful education technology pilot program, or creating a strategic plan for equity for one of the country’s most prestigious independent schools, this is the mindset that has guided Natalie Randolph through her unique journey as a District of Columbia science educator, equity and inclusion professional, and nationally-recognized and award-winning head football coach.
She is best known for making ground-breaking history as the only active female head football coach of a high school varsity team in the country in 2010 – the third ever to coach at that level – and the first Black woman to do so. Given the rarity of her position, her work was highly publicized, creating the challenge of running a successful program under an international spotlight and navigating the male-dominated world of football, while simultaneously putting first the lives and experiences of the young people in her care, and teaching full-time. Under her leadership she was able to support her athletes in achieving a 100% high school graduation rate and ensured that all who completed her athletic program were accepted into a college, university, or post-secondary institution. She continues to leave her mark by mentoring her former high school players, many of whom have become successful public servants and educators within the DC community.
For her efforts, she has been featured in several well- known sports and entertainment programs including, Good Morning America, ESPN Outside the Lines, NFL Films Presents, and in 2016 she sat on a panel for NBC CNS’s TOMBOY: Elevating the Conversation About Gender and Sports. She was also the recipient of many awards for her illustrious career, some of which include the National Urban League’s Woman of Power Award, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Sports Trailblazer Award, the US Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Excellence in Coaching, the Running Start Women to Watch Local Hero Award, and the American Association of University Women Woman of Distinction Award. These accolades are noteworthy and highlight the huge impact Natalie Randolph has had, not only in her community, but through shattering glass ceilings and being a trailblazer for women and young adults.
Prior to teaching and coaching, Natalie was well prepared for her journey. She is an alumna of her current school, Sidwell Friends, and then attended the University of Virginia where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Master of Education in Education policy. There she also boasts a successful Division One Track & Field career, ascending to All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) status in the 400 Meter Hurdles. Her athletic pursuits continued after graduation when she began playing tackle football for DC’s Women’s Tackle Football team, the DC Divas. Her five-season career earned her a place in the team’s Hall of Fame for her success as a leading wide receiver and special teams player.
While coaching football may be the most recognized part of her career, education and science are truly her first loves. Her passion for education, combined with coaching and mentorship, is what has changed the lives of young men and women around her. Natalie has been able to combine those passions by being an educator in the District of Columbia for over 20 years both as a teacher and now administrator. She entered the equity and inclusion space when she became the Senior Women’s Administrator and Title IX Coordinator for the DC State Athletic Association (DCSAA) in 2016 and currently serves as the Director of Equity, Justice, and Community for the Sidwell Friends School where she oversees all programs and initiatives related to equity and inclusion.
At Sidwell, Natalie leverages the lessons learned in her prior experiences as an educator and football coach to bring a fresh approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. Responsible for professional development around equity for all employees, as well as programming for students in the increasingly polarized National environment, she has recently focused on the skills and tools necessary to have difficult but critical conversations in order to strive for understanding across differences, while employing empathy and bridge building as a means for change.
Natalie is a native Washingtonian who continues to be involved in her community, loves outdoor concerts, and has yet to find a subject that she does not enjoy learning about. Also, in support of her passion for athletics, academic achievement and mentoring, and promoting women and girls in sports, she continues to coach football at Sidwell Friends as an offensive assistant.