TU Athletics to Honor Union Public Schools Director of Athletics Emily Barkley on National Girls & Women in Sports Day

TULSA, Okla. –– Emily Barkley, director of athletics for Union Public Schools, will be recognized by The University of Tulsa as the school's 2019 National Girls & Women in Sports Day award-winner. Barkley will be honored on NGWSD's 33rd anniversary at halftime of the Tulsa-Tulane women's basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.

NGWSD is a national observance that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports.

TU will also host a pregame clinic, featuring women's soccer, women's golf, women's rowing and more. The clinic will be hosted in the Reynolds Center practice gym from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. To sign up your child(ren), go online to: http://tulsahurricane.com/sb_output.aspx?form=68

Barkley, a TU alumna, has been the director of athletics for Union Public Schools since 2012. Before that, she served as associate and assistant athletics director after joining the Union athletic department in August 2004.

Barkley is recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) as one of Oklahoma's very few Certified Master Athletic Administrators (CMAA), the highest level of certification an athletic director can obtain. She previously earned Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) and a Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) distinctions.

She is a member of the NIAAA, the Oklahoma Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA), and the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA). Barkley currently serves as the treasurer of the OIAAA Advisory Board and treasurer for the Frontier Valley Conference. She also served a two-year term as a Board Member and Region 7 representative for the OCA.

Barkley was named the 2014-2015 OIAAA National Council of Secondary Schools Athletic Director of the Year and 2015-2016 OCA Region 7 and State Athletic Director of the Year.

A 1996 graduate of Union High School, Barkley went on to The University of Tulsa and earned her bachelor's degree in athletic administration and was honored as the 1999-2000 College of Business Outstanding Sports Administration graduate. Barkley continued her education as she earned her master's degree, while serving as a graduate assistant in the TU athletic department. She also served as an academic advisor to the football team during this time.

Barkley was a captain of the 1996 State Runner-Up Lady Redskins soccer team and earned all-state honors that year. In addition, Barkley was a captain and all-conference basketball player for the Lady Redskins and enjoyed two state tournament appearances during her career. She is a member of the Union Athletic Department Hall of Fame.

Barkley is married to Justin Barkley, head men's basketball coach at Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla., and they have a daughter, Sutton Caroline.

ABOUT NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY
National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) began in 1987 as a special day in our nation's capital to recognize women's sports. The day united premiere organizations and elite female athletes to bring national attention to the promise of girls and women in sports. In 1987, NGWSD also served as a remembrance of Olympic volleyball player, Flo Hyman, for her athletic achievements and dedication to promoting equality for women's sports; Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986. NGWSD has since evolved into an event to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality for women in sports.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day is celebrated annually across all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies and other celebratory activities. NGWSD is organized by the members of the National Girls & Women in Sports Day Coalition. Champion women athletes have also contributed to annual NGWSD activities. For more information, please visit: www.NGWSD.org.

TU Athletics to Honor Union Public Schools Director of Athletics Emily Barkley on National Girls & Women in Sports Day

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