By JONAS MILLER
Co-Executive Editor
With her friends, family, and fans screaming her name, Staci Barrett did what only 19 other women in Saint Rose history have before her, scoring her 1,000th career point as a Golden Knight.
“Two more Stace, two more points!”
She could hear the crowd as she took the ball down the court. Barrett found herself posted up in the paint, an area she has controlled for the last four seasons, no matter the opponent.
Barrett spoke of what she remembered from the moment: “I posted up strong and went to score…the ref blows the whistle as the ball is going through the net…and one!”
Craziness ensues in Daniel P. Nolan gymnasium.
In the stands her family screams and jumps, on the bench her teammates do the same, holding signs they made in anticipation of the accomplishment.
“I felt so loved,” Barrett said.
During her time as a Golden Knight, she has learned that you can do anything you set your mind to. Barrett didn’t start playing basketball until eighth grade, and finds closure in her most recent accomplishment, saying she always wanted to score 1,000 points in high school.
Head Coach Karen Haag had nothing but high praise for Barrett after her achievement.
“Staci has come such a long way over the last four years,” Haag said. “She has become more mentally tough each year and has grown into a great team leader. She has become more engaged in both her academics and her athletics as she has matured and grown here.”
Barrett admitted that although academics came easily to her in high school, college has given her a run for her money. She said basketball has pushed her along, always motivating her to do better.
“It was an adjustment I had to make in order to grow to be the best student-athlete I can be,” Barrett said.
Barrett is in her final semester at Saint Rose, and is heavily involved in the communications program on campus. She even has her own radio show, “The Rose Room with Staci B.”
“Staci is extremely talented at what she does,” said senior Jocelyn Strack, teammate and friend of Barrett. “I have watched her grow so much over the last four years.”
Barrett said some of her favorite memories are those where she’s hanging out with her teammates over winter break.
“There is no school and no one on campus except me and my BBall girls,” Barrett said.
The senior thanks her parents for their “unlimited love and support” throughout her life, as well as her little sister for being her biggest fan all these years. The three have only missed a handful of games in Barrett’s career, and have attended every home game so far this season, making the drive from Long Island to see their loved one play.
“I truly appreciate everything they have taught me on this four-year journey as a Golden Knight,” Barrett said.
The Golden Knights play Bentley on Wednesday in the Daniel P. Nolan gymnasium on the College of Saint Rose campus. The Women’s team tip-off is at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Men’s team at 7:30.
For more information on the rest of the Women’s basketball team and everything else Saint Rose athletics has to offer, visit www.gogoldenknights.com.
