May 16, 2003
Lafayette tennis coach Barbara Young announced her retirement after 28 years as part of the College's athletic department and establishing herself as one of the winningest coaches in the history of Leopard athletics.
"It is with deepest mixed emotions that I make the decision to retire," Young said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my 28 years at Lafayette. It has been a privilege to work with the administration, faculty and students. I have been fortunate to have kept in touch with many former athletes and their families, and I hope to remain an active part of the Lafayette community."
Young just finished her 28th season as head coach of the women's tennis team and her sixth year at the helm of the men's squad. Both teams achieved winning seasons, with the men going 14-4-1 and the women 10-5, leaving her combined career tennis record 389-168-2.
She led the women's team to its first Patriot League regular-season title during the 1996-97 season and also guided the program to the 1986 East Coast Conference and 1991 Patriot League crowns. Twenty-four different women's tennis student-athletes have earned 32 individual conference titles (singles or doubles) during her tenure.
Along with guiding the tennis programs, Young spent time as coach of the women's volleyball and basketball teams and also taught tennis and cross-country skiing seminars at Lafayette. As coach of the volleyball team, she led the squad to a school-record 175 wins over 11 seasons (1980-90), while guiding the women's basketball team to a 59-26 mark through five years (1975-80).
"Barb Young has played a prominent role in the proud history of athletics at Lafayette," said Director of Athletics Bruce McCutcheon."Barb's practice of student-focused learning has made a significant impact on the lives of countless students that have come to College Hill.I am very happy for her as she enters a new chapter in her extraordinary life, and I wish her well."
In addition to her coaching and teaching experience, Young has also published four sports related articles. They include topics such as the role elementary physical education plays in enhancing a student's experience in the classroom, as well as the association of genius with health and productivity and an article on mini-volleyball - the international sensation.
Young, who served as Lafayette's assistant director of athletics and senior woman administrator from 1999-2001, joined the Leopards' staff as a physical education instructor following coaching stints at Northwestern University, Chatham College and East Stroudsburg University.
A graduate of the University of Delaware, Young earned a master's degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from West Chester University.