Adia Barnes was introduced as Arizona's head women's basketball coach on April 4, 2016. 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.

 

In her second year as head coach, Barnes signed the highest ranked recruiting class in Arizona history as ProspectsNation.com ranked the class at the fifth-best in the country. 

 

Additionally to her success on the court and in recruiting in 2017, Barnes made it a point to get better in the classroom and in the community. The Wildcats had their best academic semester in a decade and also led the athletic department in community service hours.

 

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.

 

In addition to her playing and coaching career, Barnes has been extremely active in the community through the Adia Barnes Foundation, which mentors under-served youth and conducts charitable events and community service projects such as school supply drives. Barnes spent 10 years as the Seattle Storm’s TV analyst for NBA TV and FOX Sports Northwest and also spent time as the color commentator for Storm radio broadcasts.

 

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

President BOB LOGAN opened the meeting with members reciting the pledge and singing, “You’re a Grand Ole Flag,” with GARY HIRSCH on the piano and JAN GREEN leading the song.

 

This was followed by an inspirational car related video about a man whose family buys him his old Mustang as a surprise which he had needed to sell earlier in his life.

 

Introduction of guests was done by Rotarian ROB LAMASTER

 

The focus of today’s meeting was the 2019 Tucson Classics Car Show.  BRUCE JACOBS, a past car show chair, lead off the discussion offering his perspective of how the car show has successfully evolved over its history. Bruce then introduced MARIANNE FREITAS who presented a really great video about the development and history of the car show. The video was produced by Joe Chitwood. MARIANNE was followed by KANDIE VACTOR. KANDY discussed the great line up of cars, discussed Friday car slotting, the silent auction and BBQ. KANDY reminded everyone to thank the car show participants, stay on Saturday until the end to wave good bye and thank the participants once again and sell more tickets!

 

JIM MURPHY celebrated his birthday and we wish him many more.

 

KURTIS DAWSON, one of our new Sergeant in Arms, introduced those with announcements.

 

Ken Flowers celebration of life will take place this Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the Doubletree Hotel. WOCKY REDSAR-WIERZBINSKI gave member LUCY HOWELL her blue badge - congratulations LUCY! Our thoughts and prayers are with WOCKY REDSAR-WIERZBINSKI as she prepares for surgery. BRUCE ELLWEIN reminded all members to sign-up to volunteer at the car show. BOB HOPKINS reviewed car show ticket sales. We are at 42% as compared to the same time last year. BRETT STEIN reminded everyone the Beer Fellowship is October 2, 2019, at the Arizona Beer House at 5:30pm. JON WANG reminded everyone to wear their Rotary service shirt throughout the car show weekend. He continues to have shirts available for sale.

 

 

All of the past car show chairs in attendance were invited to sign the book for Make Way for Books entitled, “What Kind of Car Does the T. Rex Drive?”

 

The meeting was adjourned with a quote and a toast from PRESIDENT BOB.

 

Every Rotarian needs to wear our exclusive Club Community Service Shirt when participating at the Car Show and when selling tickets in any event setting.

 

 

Jon Wang at 520-360-1050 or <specialopsdoc@comcast.net>