#womenworthwatching

Michigan women’s head coach Kim Barnes Arico wears a number 11 jersey on the sidelines honoring her brother, Chris Barnes, who played basketball for Ualbany. His obituary states: “He was recruited by the legendary coach of the SUNY Albany Great Danes, Richard “Doc” Sauers. Chris’ team finished the 1993-94 season with a 25-3 record and he helped lead them to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.” Barnes Arico’s brother died in 2019 after years of being in a vegetative state following a 2005 accident when he went running near his London home and suffered cardiac arrest. He was a standout baseball and basketball player who wore the number 11. “Wearing this really means a lot to me,” Barnes Arico told The Wichita Eagle. “I feel like my brother is always with me and I have him close to my heart. That was really special to me.”

Felisha Legette-jack will leave Buffalo and return to Syracuse to coach the Orange. Legette-jack, Katie Rowan Thomson of Bethlehem and the Ualbany lacrosse coach, and rower Anna Goodale were the first women this year to have jersey numbers retired at Syracuse. Legette-jack still ranks in the top 10 in career points and rebounds at Syracuse, and led the Orange to their first Big East title and NCAA Tournament berth. At Buffalo, Legette-jack has spent the past 10 seasons as head coach, finishing with five 20-win seasons and four trips to the NCAA Tournament, including this season compiling a 25-9 record.

The National Women’s Soccer League season is kicking off. Make plans to see a game. Visit www.nwslsoccer.com/schedule

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