NORFOLK, Va. – Passionate, dynamic, inspiring and coach of the Old Dominion women’s basketball team, Karen Barefoot is a master motivator, not only of teams, but also of individuals and organizations, encouraging them to succeed beyond even their own expectations. Barefoot can be seen speaking at a magnitude of events and every week ODUSports will highlight where she will bring her valuable insight and advice.
Barefoot is set to visit Newport News Shipbuilding on Monday and will share her thoughts about coaching, basketball and her perspectives on leadership. The University and NNS have worked together to create a great event for the Old Dominion shipbuilders and what makes this event special is that Old Dominion graduates made up the largest alumni population at NNS. Along with ODU alumns, members of the NNS management and Apprentice School administrators will be in attendance.
NNS is hosting this event with Coach Barefoot on February 22, 2016 from 4:30pm to 5:15pm at the New Apprentice School Rooms 258, 259, and 260. Some light refreshments will be served from 5:15pm to 5:45pm on the Gym Balcony that overlooks the New Apprentice School Basketball Court.
Barefoot made history at the Apprentice School by starting the women’s basketball program at just 22 years of age, which was the first women’s program at the school at the time. She came to the school fresh off a stellar college career, where the former star player for Christopher Newport University was a three-time All-American and scored 2,000 points and dished out 1,000 assists.
Under the coaching of Barefoot the Lady Builders quickly achieved respectability. She put together six winning seasons, went to three final fours and won a national championship. Her Lady Builders teams were 102-42 through six seasons, including a 24-3 record in 2000-01 en route to its first National Small College Athletic Association national championship. Barefoot was named NSCAA Coach of the Year during her last two seasons and her 2000-2001 team still holds all of the program's scoring records. While at the helm of the program, Barefoot worked inside Newport News Shipbuilding and became a fifth generation worker at NNS.
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Make sure you check odusports.com next week for a listing of where coach Barefoot will be next!
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