General | 8/21/2009 10:15:38 AM
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Thomas R. and Elizabeth E. McLean Foundation is pleased to announce the 2008-09 Methodist University Coach of the Year is women's tennis Head Coach
Francie Barragan.
"The McLean Foundation "Coach of the Year" Award is very much appreciated by our coaches and student-athletes," Director of Athletics
Bob McEvoy said. "The award recognizes one coach annually that has performed at a high level in the areas of team success, both on the field and in the classroom, community service and involvement in their professional organizations. We have several outstanding head coaches deserving of this award each year and this is a great way to spotlight one individual annually to our campus and community on a job well done."
The 2008-09 season marked Barragan's fourth year with the program, coaching the team to a USA South Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. The team finished the season 18-3 overall while going undefeated in conference play. The Monarchs advanced to the Tournament Championship before coming up just short in the finals.
Off the court, Barragan's team boasts a 2.857 cumulative grade point average through the Spring 2009 semester. The team is also active in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and their community service projects where Barragan serves as one of the organization's advisors.
In addition to her coaching duties, Barragan has assisted the USTA as the local coordinator for programs in the area.
Barragan was selected based on
criteria set forth by the McLean Foundation and voted on by a committee of Methodist University faculty and staff.
"I would like to thank the Thomas R. and Elizabeth E. McLean Foundation for their generous support of Methodist University," Barragan said. "I am extremely honored to receive this award. I had the privilege of working with an amazing group of student-athletes last year and they are the key reason why we enjoyed a successful season."
Once Barragan was notified she received the award, she was quick to appreciate the Methodist athletics staff as a whole. "I am also very fortunate to work with great coaches and support staff at Methodist, as I have learned so much from watching them over the years," she added.
Five additional Methodist coaches were nominated for the Coach of the Year award including
Tom Austin (Baseball),
Steve Conley (Men's Golf), Melissa Hay (Cheer), Dee Dee Jarman (Women's Basketball) and Vici Pate (Women's Golf).
Barragan will receive her award and accompanying stipend at the Methodist University Fall Convocation on September 11 at 11 am in Reeves Auditorium.
