StM News

Barbara Farris ’94

• Attended 10th - 12th
• Assistant Head Coach, The University of Southern Mississippi
• Member of the St. Martin's Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame (2011)
• Tulane University, BA, Sociology

Barbara Farris only attended St. Martin’s from her sophomore year, but she credits a great deal of who she is today, as a person and a coach, to her time on this campus. Among her many accolades, Farris is a ten-year WNBA veteran, a four-time all-conference selection, and five-time state championship winning coach.She currently serves as assistant coach for the University of Southern Mississippi womens’ basketball team, and is a new member of the St. Martin’s Board of Trustees, as her way to give back to this school and the community that she feels gave her so much. “I want St. Martin’s to be the best version of itself,” she said during an interview with Alumni Coordinator, Meri Monsour. “This is a special place. There’s a lot of storied history here, and a lot of successful people in many different areas. I want to see us being boastful of what we have to offer.” 

During her three years at St. Martin’s, Farris helped the school earn two basketball state titles in 1993 and 1994, and two track and field state titles those same years. She earned All-State honors in 1993 and 1994. As a result, Farris was inducted into the St. Martin’s Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 and received an additional Hall of Fame nod in 2015 as a member of the 1993 championship girls’ basketball team, which finished with an undefeated 36-0 record. “There are Olympians in there! We’ve had so many super talented individuals at this school. To just be cemented in the StM Hall of Fame, I feel very humbled to be part of that long, prestigious list.” Farris is also a member of Tulane University’s Hall of Fame (2004) and the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame (2017). 

When you think back to your days as a student at St. Martin’s, what first comes to mind? 

I just remember feeling supported and safe. My class never felt clique-ish and I always felt welcome in any social circle. This school felt warm and inviting, and I remember when I came for my visit and met everyone, I felt a genuine sense of home on this campus. 

I had great teachers here!  I really enjoyed Mrs. Beckman. Oh, her and that red pen! I had a respect and appreciation for her style of teaching, I think that even shaped who I am now as a coach. I always appreciate someone who provides structure, gives guidelines and clear expectations. I loved that there was no gray area in her class. As someone who is a high-achiever, I’m drawn to people who have a high standard and don't waver. She was consistent, and I love that. Her style really played a pivotal role in my time as a student, and I try to model that today.  

I also think about Dr. Mooney’s history classes. I loved his class; his excitement about history really translated to me, and made me realize that there was something really important to be learned from history, which made it even more interesting. 

Doobie Plaisance was my coach for basketball. I came to St. Martin’s and realized I was around like-minded individuals who also wanted to compete at a high level, and also excel in the classroom. That really solidified the belief for me that I was in the right place. Doobie was passionate and faith-driven. I always felt her support, and like I was being pushed in a way that was in my best interest. She instilled a work ethic in me, and ultimately in my own coaching style. She was knowledgeable, passionate, and had high standards. Like I said, I’ve always been drawn to people who can ‘walk the talk’ and are really committed. She was a teacher, not just a coach, and explained the why and the how.

For track and field, Coach McGeehan just made it so fun! Track was a great break from basketball, and at StM, I know that being a specialist and only playing one sport was just not an option. There was so much more available. I appreciated being able to flex a different muscle out there. I really enjoyed the discus and shot put, so I would compete individually, but I liked that everyone had to score points for the team to help the team win. Everybody had to do their best to put the team in the best possible position. There were so many talented individuals, and I felt very fortunate and blessed to be part of that team. 

How do you believe St. Martin's helped shape you as a person?

I was very involved in Key Club as a student. The school’s mission statement helped me understand the importance of giving of yourself. I’ve lived a ridiculously blessed life, and that’s not wasted on me. As much as people have poured into me, I want to make sure I give that back. It feels good to give of yourself. Also, my faith is something that guides a lot of my decisions today, it has helped shape who I am. I always appreciated the Chapel service. When I went to Chapel, it would bring me back to my center. I felt comforted and safe in the Word. 

What St. Martin's traditions do you cherish the most? 

Looking back, I realize you appreciate things more when there’s been some distance, and you have the comforting norms of traditions. I really enjoyed Ring Day, it was a special coming of age ritual that just solidified a rite of passage for me. I really appreciated that. I also really enjoyed my graduation and wearing the white dress. I think I just really liked the ceremony and the “pomp and circumstance” of it all.

When you left St. Martin's for college, you felt ______

Prepared! I know in the classroom I was prepared for the academic rigor of Tulane. I always thought I wanted to go far away from home, but Tulane turned out to be the best decision for me, I loved my time there. I was thankful to be close to family. As a student athlete, you don’t get a lot of holiday time off, so being close to family was important. For holidays, my teammates from out of town would come to my house. I was thankful to have a built-in support system nearby.

When did you first start playing basketball, and when did you feel like it could become a career path for you? 

I was late to the sport, I started playing my 8th grade year. When I started playing summer travel basketball, that’s when the light switched. I excelled in it pretty quickly, and I realized it was something I wanted to get really good at. Basketball then became more real to me my junior year at StM. We went undefeated and won state, and I thought this could be serious, and it was something I wanted to take seriously. 

No one loves practice, but I understood that if that’s what it takes, then that’s what I’ll do to really get good. You’ve got to dig in and do the work! This helps you generate success in other areas, and St. Martin’s and Tulane prepared me for that, and surrounded me with teachers and coaches who pushed me to do that. 

It was never about winning championships, though, it was just about being the best version of myself.

What qualities do you feel are most important for a coach to have? Do you model your coaching after anyone in particular?

As a player, I loved what sports provided for me - a group of like-minded individuals, body positivity, it allowed me to celebrate that I stood out. So I tell my athletes to stand up tall, there’s no shame in being athletic and strong. 

I’ve coached 11-year-old’s, 17 - and 18-year-olds, and adults, so I just try to meet them where they are, at every level. It gives you more credibility with players when you do that. High levels of achievement come with high expectations, so I picked and modeled behaviors of people I respected and appreciated, like Mrs. Beckman! I wanted my players to understand my expectations and I was consistent in my expectations, and as a coach, I’m thankful that there are a lot of young people who found something I did positive. They appreciated the big picture of what I was trying to get out of them, to pull out the greatness that was already in them. 

What advice do you have for our students / student athletes? 

I have a great quote on my wall: “Don’t be upset by the results you didn’t get with the work you didn’t do.”

It’s something I live by. When you’re in it, you’re always comparing yourself to someone else, but all of us have our own race to run. 

The beauty of high school and collegiate athletes now is that they have something like the WNBA to aspire to, but the end goal should just be being the best version of yourself now. Working hard and a good work ethic are traits that will be applicable to all areas of your life. College athletes are great hires - they’re disciplined, they know how to balance their time, they’re goal-oriented, and driven. Just keep the blinders on, stay humble, and stay working.