I started college at the ripe old age of 36 and played what I had dreamed of all my life, but didn’t think could be done: college basketball and softball at Marian College, now University. From there, I followed a friend and became a graduate assistant here at IUPUI.
After earning my MS, I became a visiting lecturer along with coaching, and later became a full-time lecturer and have remained ever since. Counting those years, when I retire, it will be 24 years that I have spent at IUPUI. It has been the best career ever for me.
I have gotten to travel places I would never have gotten to see, including Alaska, as a coach and some as an instructor going to conferences. I have made many good friends in people whom I have worked with and former students and have loved seeing them succeed in their careers. Athletics grew from NAIA to NCAA Division I and our mascot went from being a Metro to a Jaguar. I have seen our school, PETM grow yet maintain a family atmosphere. Our building has undergone many improvements.
I still have on my wall ... a letter from a student from weight control and exercise who had a slight physical impairment and thought she couldn’t exercise who, with my encouragement, went on to jog a 5K. ... These experiences, friends and acquaintances are IUPUI to me.
Sandy Barnett, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management Faculty
Three people who were here from the start were former Dean Nick Kellum who helped me through some life changes. Dr. Mark Urtel was always ready to guide me when needed, as well as Jay Bradley. Dr. Jay, to me, was always ready to help in many ways.
I still have on my wall a letter from a SITE student who told me her years in my basketball class were the “best years of her life” and a letter from a student from weight control and exercise who had a slight physical impairment and thought she couldn’t exercise who, with my encouragement, went on to jog a 5K. Watching George Hill on TV, a former Indiana Pacer and student in my basketball class, makes it all quite memorable, too.
The thing is, many times while these things were going on in my classes, I was able to be right out there with them leading by example and enjoying it! I went from small-town, country girl when girls didn’t have high school sports, to playing at a small college, to the diversity of IUPUI. These experiences, friends and acquaintances are IUPUI to me.
Story courtesy of:
Sandy Barnett
School of Physical Education and Tourism Management Faculty
