By Jeff Murphy,
September 26, 2022
WARRENSBURG, MO – ŷƵ women’s basketball coaching legend
Millie Barnes is returning to campus Oct. 11 to be part of a free public presentation
featuring New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss. His new book, “Inaugural
Ballers: The True Story of the First U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team,” addresses
a subject that was close to Barnes during her professional career with the UCM Jennies
-- a topic that contributes to the author’s coming to campus and his remarks planned
for 7 p.m. in Hendricks Hall.
The program is titled Author Talk: Andrew Maraniss, author of “Inaugural Ballers:
The True Story of the First U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team” with special guest
Millie Barnes, former Jennies basketball coach and member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic
Women’s Basketball Committee. The presentation is part of the university’s ongoing
efforts to bring to UCM individuals who can help highlight issues related to diversity,
equity and inclusion and its impact not only on campus but the world we live in. Individuals
planning to attend the event can enter Hendricks Hall at 6:30 p.m. A book signing
in the foyer follows the presentation.
Barnes coached the Jennies from 1971-1980, and is credited with laying the foundation
that helped make the UCM’s women’s basketball program one of the nation’s best. During
her nine-year career, she never had a losing season while compiling a 156-63 record
and winning two AIAW state championships. In her final season, 1979-1980, she coached
the Jennies to a 26-5 record and reached the AIAW national tournament. Gaining much
respect in women's national basketball ircles, Barnes became the first woman to serve
on the board of trustees of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame from 1977-1986. She
wrote the first book on five-player women's basketball. She also served on the U.S.
Olympic Women's Basketball Committee and was instrumental in bringing the first U.S.
Olympic Women's Basketball Team to Warrensburg to train prior to the 1976 Olympics
in Montreal. The team earned a silver medal at the Olympics and featured such prominent
women's basketball names as Pat Summit, Nancy Lieberman and Ann Meyers. Barnes retired
from what was then Central Missouri State University in 1991 as professor emeritus
of physical education, following 22 years of service.
Maraniss is known for writing history, non-fiction and telling stories with a social
justice message. He is the author of books such as author of books such as “Strong
Inside,” which received the Lillian Smith Book Award for civil rights and the RFK
Book Awards’ Special Recognition Prize, and the book “Singled Out,” the remarkable
true story of Glenn Burke, who was the first openly gay Major League Baseball player
and inventor of the first-ever high five.
Published by Penguin Random House, “Inaugural Ballers” is a well-researched true story
about the U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball team. Comprised of several then unknown
collegiate players, this determined group of young women exceeded all expectations
through their inspirational journey to the 1976 Olympics. They may not have won the
top prize, but their medal-winning performance and their winning attitude captured
the hearts of many people and helped lay the foundation for women’s sports to take
off nationally at the youth, collegiate, Olympic and professional levels. The roster
of players that included Lieberman and Meyers and many others coached by Billie Moore
became some of the most legendary figures in women’s basketball.
Individuals who want to know more about this presentation should contact Mona Duncan
in UCM’s Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at mduncan@ucmo.edu.