Adia Barnes was introduced as Arizona's head women's basketball coach on April 4, 2016 and agreed to a contract extension to lead the program through 2026 in May of 2021. The leading scorer in Arizona women’s basketball history and a WNBA Champion, Barnes came to Tucson after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Washington for five seasons.

 

Barnes led the Wildcats to the National Championship game in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, the first time Arizona advanced past the Sweet 16 in school history.

 

Through her first five seasons as head coach, Barnes has won 89 games, the most of any Arizona coach in program history in their first five seasons. She is also the only coach in school history to win at least 20 games three times in her first five seasons.

 

In her fifth season, Barnes was a finalist for the WBCA Coach of the Year and was a semifinalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, she became the 11th coach to play and coach in the NCAA Tournament at their alma mater. Once the Wildcats reached the National Championship game, she became the fourth coach to lead her alma mater to the title game.

 

Barnes became the youngest coach since 2014 to make the Final Four and was also the first coach since 2016 to reach the Final Four in their first five years as a head coach. She also helped Arizona become the first team ever to reach the National Championship game after missing the previous 10+ NCAA Tournaments.

 

During the NCAA Tournament, Arizona defeated UConn in the Final Four, which was the first time in school history Arizona knocked off both the No. 1 team in the nation as well as a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

 

The Wildcats finished in second place in the loaded Pac-12, their highest finish since the 2003-04 season when Arizona won the Pac-10. During the year, Arizona swept the regular season series vs. Oregon for the first time in 10 years and also swept Oregon and Oregon State in the same weekend for the first time in 10 years.

 

Prior to becoming the head coach at Arizona, Barnes joined the staff at Washington in 2011 and helped boost the Huskies profile in the Pac-12 and nationally, culminating in a trip to the Final Four this year. After three seasons on staff, Barnes was promoted to recruiting coordinator, where she handled all aspects of recruiting including budget, compliance and planning, in addition to her role in player development.

 

A three-time all-conference selection and '98 graduate of Arizona, Barnes was voted USBWA first-team All-American and Pac-10 player of the year in 1997-98. Her 2,237 career points currently rank ninth on the Pac-12’s all-time scoring list. Following her collegiate career, Barnes played professionally for 12 seasons in the WNBA and overseas. She won a WNBA Championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004, was named to the Storm’s All-Decade Team, and also played for Cleveland, Minnesota and Sacramento. Her overseas career included stops in the Ukraine, Israel, Turkey, Russia and Italy.

 

A native of San Diego, Calif., Barnes is married to Salvo Coppa, who coached for 14 seasons prior to arriving at Arizona, including 10 professionally in Italy and with three separate national teams. She is also the mother of one son, Matteo and one daughter, Capri.

This week we met at the Hacienda Del Sol Resort.  The meeting was very well attended! President MARK IRVIN opened the meeting by introducing PAT LENNAN, RCOT member since 2004, Education, and the ‘meanest Principal in all of Tucson.’

 

PAT gave a brief history lesson on the Pledge of Allegiance and then led the Pledge.  That was followed by our song of the Week ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ with piano accompaniment by KHRIS DODGE our current Sergeant at Arms.  The song was sung with great enthusiasm!

 

MITCH PISIK delivered an AWESOME Inspiration ‘Home of the Free, Because of the Brave’.  He talked about moving to Tucson as the CEO of a large Manufacturing Company (near the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base).  He told the story of all the car alarms going off in the company parking lot every 2 hours.  Little did he know that the A-10 Warthogs and F-16 Fighters were the cause of the alarms. He quickly understood that what he was hearing was ‘The Sound of ‘FREEDOM’.  He then supplied many historical happenings at the Base.

 

President MARK introduced the Visiting Rotarians and Guests in mass as there were 25 in attendance. The Visitors and Guests were recognized and acknowledged.

 

President MARK recognized MIKE ANDERSON for his generous donation of $20,000.00 to the RCOT Car Show and JTED as a Title Sponsor.  A HUGE thank you MIKE!

 

President MARK talked about the Sponsor of today's meeting the ‘Winers and Diners’ and how what started as a group of guys meeting socially, rapidly became a group of guys motivated to serve the community.  Davis-Monthan has been the recipient of the Winers and Diners Charitable Grants which benefit the families of Base Personnel.

 

President MARK introduced the Program for the meeting and all were treated to a video by RICK ROSE, with Matt Russell doing the Introduction. It was a fantastic overview of the Base, from its historical roots to its current mission.

 

 

Col. Joseph Turnham – 355^TH Wing Commander at DM Nickname ‘Turn’em and Burn’em”.  Col. Turnham gave a brief overview of DM.  The Base was originally the largest Municipal Airport in the country and is now growing into one of the premier Air Force Bases in the country.  The Base itself encompasses over 10,000 acres and is home to 153 operational aircraft, more that 3,000 aircraft in ‘ready’ storage in what is called ‘the Bone Yard’.  Every day, over 50,000 people live and work at the Base, and contribute over 2.6 billion dollars to the Tucson economy. DM is host to over 53 Operational Units covering every branch of the Military as well as the National Guard, Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation.  At the heart of it all is the 5500 personnel of the 355^th Wing. The Mission of the Wing is Rescue and Attack.  The Rescue Charter is the responsibility to go anywhere in the world and rescue Military as other personnel that are either wounded, trapped or surrounded by the enemy.  DM won the 2020 Rescue Team Award as many other Awards for outstanding Service.  Col TURNHAM gave three examples of the type of exemplary service that Base Personnel have performed in service to their Country and the Mission.  Col. TURNHAM made us all extremely proud of the men and women at DM and the fact that we live in this great city that encompasses Davis-Monthan. Thank you Col. Turnham for your exemplary service.

 

President MARK presented the book signing with the book ‘Amazing Facts about Military Vehicles’ to go in the Make Way for Books library.

 

Two Rotarians had Birthdays this week.  JIM RONSTADT July 15^th and ALAN ROGERS, July 18^th.  Happy Birthday gentlemen!

 

New Member Introduction was given by JEANNE FLOWER for NICOLE LOMBARDO.  Welcome NICOLE and congratulations!

 

 

Jose and Adrianna Rincon and ‘Guapo’ Rincon.  BOB LOGAN gave a moving presentation on the Rincon family and the loss of their son ‘Guapo’ who was killed by a drunk driver in 2008 at the age of 15.  Jose and Adrianna have done an incredible job of honoring their son by serving the Community in many ways.

 

 

District Governor Henrietta ‘Hank’ Huisking presented the Special Triple Crown Award to ERNIE and SALLY MONTAGNE for their outstanding Service to Rotary and Rotary International.  Both are Past Rotary District Governors.   ERNIE and SALLY have been a part of many Rotary Projects such as the ‘Ride to End Polio’, Projects to bring Clean Water to African Countries as well as many other charitable efforts.  SALLY and ERNIE have attended 18 International Conventions, received many Awards throughout their Rotary journey.  Today, they receive their Triple Crown pins.  Thank you ERNIE and SALLY, you are both very deserving of this honor and distinction.

 

 

CHAROLETTE HARRIS gave us our History Minute regarding our past and present Club Members History of service in the Military and the connection to the Davis-Monthan Base. Thank you CHAR for that very informative Moment.

 

President MARK elaborated on his Fishing Fund and how the Club members can be involved by having their fishing photo shown at future meetings.

 

President MARK ended the Meeting with many thank yous and appreciation.  His toast was to Davis-Monthan as a Tucson Treasure!

Our fellow Rotary Club of Tucson Rotarians, Sally and Ernie Montagne, were presented at our July 21st Club meeting with their Triple Crown recognition pins and two accompanying Rotary Foundation crystals.  This recognition represents their dedication to Rotary as reflected in their commitments as Paul Harris Society members, as Major Donors, and as members of the Rotary Foundation Bequest Society.

 

Both Sally and Ernie have served as our District Governor with Sally in 2014-15 and Ernie in 2010-11.  And both have continued to serve in numerous and significant District Leadership positions with enthusiasm. 

 

They are both Remarkable Rotarians!!!!

 

Together Sally and Ernie have traveled all over the world, including all states in the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe, England and the Middle East - working with numerous and varied Rotary Projects.  Examples of these include: Polio Immunization Day in West Africa; water, health and education projects to 50 villages in Niger and Togo, attended over 18 Rotary International Conferences; have been Rotary speakers, presenters and facilitators for numerous Rotary trainings; and have received numerous Rotary awards.

 

We honored and thanked Sally and Ernie as they continue on their passionate and dedicated journey with Rotary and significant participation of Rotary programs and projects, not only through financial support but also of their personal time.

 

 

 

 

To view videos on the RCOT YouTube channel go to our Home Page of the Club website and click on the YouTube link on the right hand side of the page.  Or, go to YouTube and type in Rotary Club Of Tucson.  You will be able to click on the video you wish to watch once they are posted.  Here is the link to do this: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rotary+club+of+tucson