Michele Barnard
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Sport:
Field Hockey |
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Year
Graduated: 1997
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Year
Inducted: 2002 |
If ever two teammates deserved to be inducted into the Athletic
Hall of Fame the same year, it is Michele Barnard and Vera
Schoenfeld. They played together for four years. They were
both midfielders. They were both All-Americans. They both
won the Mildred Barnes Award as the University's Outstanding
Female Student-Athlete. They both still hold school records
five years after they stopped competing for the Terriers.
They both combined to give the Terrier field hockey team its
best penalty corner combination in school history. Even head
coach Sally Starr nominated the two of them for the Hall of
Fame at the same time, hoping that tonight would become a
reality.
"I am sure that Vera and Michele are excited,"
said Coach Starr, who has now coached eight Hall of Famers
during her 22-year Terrier coaching career. The group includes
Chris LaPointe, Terry Geldart, Sally Maxell, Lisa Barone,
Patrice Schena Cachat, and Lori Heywood Hand in addition to
Michele and Vera. "But, they are as excited for the other
person as they are of themselves."
"That's what they were about when they were playing
here," the coach continued. "They did whatever was
necessary for the team to win."
Obviously, they did much for the team to win.
During their four-year careers, they played on teams that
had a combined record of 60-24-1 and advanced to the NCAA
tournament twice. Their 1996 team was ranked seventh in the
nation, while they were ninth in 1995.
"The success of our teams mirrored the success enjoyed
by both Michele and Vera," said Coach Starr.
While Vera scored the goals, Michele earned the assists.
During her career, she earned 67 assists, which still ranks
first on the University's all-time list. Overall, she finished
with 119 points, which ranks third.
Statistically, her best season was in 1996 when she led the
nation in assists with a school record 35. She also chipped
in with 35 goals for a total of 61 points, which ranked seventh
in the nation and set a school single-season scoring record.
Her play earned her First Team All-American recognition along
with First Team All-Region, First Team All-Conference, was
named the America East Player of the Year, and received the
Barnes Award.
Michele's junior year, she had 10 goals and 23 assists and
was voted Second Team All-American along with First Team All-Region
and First Team All-Conference.
There is one award not mentioned above. As a senior, Michele
was voted the team co-MVP. She shared the award with Vera
Schoenfeld.
