University of Massachusets Athletics
Phil Barnes Named Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
September 11, 2000 | Women's Lacrosse
Sept. 11, 2000
Phil Barnes has been named the head women's lacrosse coach at the University of Massachusetts, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Bob Marcum. Barnes, who served this past season as the interim head coach, has been a part of the UMass women's lacrosse program for the past three seasons.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to continue to coach the women's lacrosse program here at UMass," said Barnes. "It is an honor to be associated with such a great program at a distinguished university."
Barnes guided the Minutewomen to a 10-7 record this past season, while capturing the program's first ever Atlantic 10 championship. The 10 wins marked the first 10-win season since the the Minutewomen went 12-3-1 in 1983. UMass led the nation in scoring defense, allowing a mere 6.73 goals per game.
Prior to assuming the head coaching duties this past January, Barnes served as an assistant coach at UMass on both the 1998 and 1999 teams. Barnes helped guide the Minutewomen to the semifinals of the ECAC tournament in 1998 and the semifinals of the A-10 tournament in 1999.
"We're pleased to have a person of coach Barnes' stature in the lacrosse world as a part of our program," said Marcum. "Phil was an obvious choice for the position. He led UMass to a pair of wins over Temple last season and the Atlantic 10 championship. He's already proven that he is the type of coach we want here at the University of Massachusetts."
Before arriving at UMass in 1998, Barnes served as the head coach at Holy Cross from 1996-97. He was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm of the Crusaders program in 1996. Prior to working at Holy Cross, Barnes was an assistant coach at his alma mater Assumption College.
Barnes is a 1995 graduate of Assumption, where he lettered in lacrosse. Barnes was born on March 30, 1971 in Taunton, Mass. He grew up in Milford, N.H. and graduated from Milford Area Senior High School in 1990. Barnes is 29 years old and lives in Northampton, Mass.
