Mildred Barnes is an American basketball coach and executive. She was a member of the U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Committee from 1965 through 1972 and served as the chair of that committee from 1974 to 1976. Barnes was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Barnes served as the head coach for the Iowa from 1966 to 1969. The Iowa team was part of the first postseason intercollegiate invitational tournament in 1969, where they placed fourth. Barnes then went on to coach Central Missouri from 1971 to 1980. She was the head coach of the team representing the US in the inaugural Jones Cup Tournament in 1977.
Head coaching record
Source
Executive
Barnes was active in the Division for Girls' and Women's Sports, which was part of the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. That organization oversaw the development of women's basketball in the middle of the 20th century.. She served on a number of committees and was the principal editor of the DGWS Basketball Guide in 1965-66. Barnes played a key role in the beginning of the entry of women's basketball into the Olympics. She served on the US Olympic women's basketball committee from 1965 to 1972, then became chair of the committee, which oversaw the inaugural competition in 1976.
Author
Barnes is the author of several publication, including books in basketball and field hockey. She authored a chapter in the book by Joan S. Hult A Century of women's basketball : from frailty to final four In which she trace the evolution of the women's game from the 1920s to the 40s. That period started with a game using a court with three sections. Players were either guards centers of forwards and restricted to staying in their own section. The game transitioned to a two section court, and the addition of rovers who were able to gothe length of the court, although other players still had to remain in their half of the court and only a single dribble before pass or shot was allowed. The game remained six players for many years, but slowing switched over to a five player game
Boston University established the Mildred Barnes Award in her name, "presented to the Boston University student who is chosen the top female athlete of the year, regardless of class."
Central Missouri established a scholarship in her name: "for a student pursuing a degree in physical education and competed as a student athlete or is currently holding a graduate assistant coaching position for Jennies Athletics"
