WARRENSBURG, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Athletics announced on Wednesday, August 12, a generous lead gift for the Jennies Basketball locker and coaches' offices project from UCM Athletics Hall of Famer and legendary former women's basketball coach Mildred "Millie" Barnes.

"We are incredibly grateful to Coach Millie Barnes for her generosity and continued leadership. As a UCM Athletics Hall of Famer and a true pioneer for women's sports, Coach Barnes has spent decades championing the success of student-athletes," UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell said. "This transformative lead gift for a new Jennies Basketball locker room, lounge, and coaches' offices will fundamentally elevate our program and enhance the daily experience of our student-athletes and staff. Through this remarkable investment, Coach Barnes leaves a lasting legacy that will shape Jennies Basketball for decades to come. It is our sincere hope that her generosity serves as a beacon, inspiring others to step forward and make a similar, profound impact on the future of our programs. On behalf of UCM Athletics and the entire university, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Coach Barnes for her unwavering belief in our mission and her enduring commitment to Jennies Basketball."

The Jennies new locker room and coaches' office suite will be called the Millie Barnes Jennies Basketball Team Suite in honor of Barnes. The updated spaces inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center will feature a larger, more modern locker room and lounge, as well as new offices for the Jennies Basketball staff.

Barnes, who coached the Jennies for nine seasons (1971-80) at what was then Central Missouri State University (CMSU), is credited with laying the foundation that helped make the Jennies' basketball program one of the best in the nation. She never had a losing season in her nine-year career, compiling a 156-63 record and winning two AIAW state championships. The Jennies were 26-5 in her final season (1979-80) as coach and reached the AIAW national tournament.

Highly respected in women's basketball circles nationwide, Barnes became the first woman to serve on the board of trustees of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (1977-86). She wrote the first book on five-player women's basketball.

Barnes served as Chair of the U.S. Women's Basketball Committee and was instrumental in bringing the first U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team to Warrensburg to train prior to the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. The team earned a silver medal at the Olympics and featured prominent women's basketball players, including Pat Summit, Nancy Lieberman, and Ann Meyers.

Barnes retired from CMSU in 1991 as professor emeritus of physical education, following 22 years of service to the university.

"Coach Millie Barnes has shaped the lives of countless Jennies through her vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence," Jennies Basketball head coach Dave Slifer said. "Her generous lead gift to the locker room and coaches' suite project is another extraordinary example of her dedication to the future of our program. Coach Barnes continues to invest in generations of student-athletes, ensuring they have the facilities and resources to thrive. We are deeply grateful for her remarkable generosity and her lasting legacy."

Barnes has been inducted into several Halls of Fame, including the Boston University Hall of Fame, New Agenda Northeast Hall of Fame, University of Central Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame, Women's National Basketball Hall of Fame, US Lacrosse National Hall of Fame, MIAA Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. 

Fundraising momentum for this project has been strong, with commitments surpassing 65 percent of the goal. However, to put this project in action and begin construction, additional philanthropic commitments are needed. If you are interested in being a part of this exciting initiative, contact Billy Ukrazhenko with the UCM Alumni Foundation at 660-543-4133 or ukrazhenko@ucmo.edu.

The Jennies Basketball team captured the 2025-26 MIAA Regular Season Championship after posting an overall record of 26-7 and a conference mark of 17-2. It was the 13th regular-season crown in program history and the fourth under head coach Dave Slifer. UCM advanced to the second round of the NCAA-II Central Regional Tournament in Mankato, Minn.