Pamela P. and Brian M. Barefoot Associate Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Advancement Mike Lynch announced the hiring of Kate Barnosky as the new head women’s basketball coach at Babson College on Monday.
The eighth head coach in program history, Barnosky replaces Judy Blinstrub who retired with 719 wins following her 39th season back in July.
A rising star in the coaching industry, Barnosky comes to Babson following two seasons at the University of Wisconsin. She was promoted to associate head coach in April 2022 and helped the Badgers to their most Big Ten victories since 2010-11 and their highest finish in the conference standings in more than a decade.
Barnosky helped mentor Julie Pospíšilovà, who earned a pair of All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades and became the 28th player in school history to surpass 1,000 points, while helping Wisconsin post a three-win improvement from the 2021-22 campaign and the program’s third most victories going back to 2011.
Prior to Wisconsin, Barnosky spent three years as an assistant coach at Boston University from 2018-21. She helped the Terriers finish second in the conference standings in both 2019-20 and 2020-21 in addition to helping the program advance to its first Patriot League Tournament final in 2021.
“I am thrilled to welcome Kate to the Babson Athletics family as our next head women’s basketball coach,” stated Lynch. “Kate emerged as our choice from a very talented group of applicants, including some sitting head coaches at successful programs, as part of our national search. She brings a unique blend of championship experience as both a player and a coach in both Division III and Division I, a remarkable coaching pedigree, a firm focus on a well-rounded student-athlete experience, and a passion for coaching and teaching that we found extremely compelling. I want to thank our search committee members, as well as the current team members, alumni, and other friends who were involved in the process.”
No stranger to Division III, Barnosky enjoyed success as both a player and an assistant coach at nearby Tufts University while earning her undergraduate degree in child development in 2012 and a master’s degree in applied child development in 2014. A three-time captain, she helped the Jumbos make four NCAA Tournament appearances while advancing to the Sweet 16 in both 2012 and 2013.
As an assistant coach from 2013-18, Barnosky helped Tufts win a pair of New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championships while making five appearances in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals and reaching the Division III Final Four in four consecutive seasons from 2014-17. The Jumbos reached the national championship game in both 2016 and 2017 and won a school-record 30 games three times during her tenure as an assistant coach under Carla Berube.
“I am grateful and excited to be the next women’s basketball coach at Babson College,” said Barnosky. “Thank you to Mike Lynch and the search committee for the opportunity to coach at a world class institution with top-notch athletics. Coach Blinstrub built an incredible program with tremendous success both on and off the court, and I look forward to building upon this championship culture.
“I also want to thank Marisa Moseley and Carla Berube for all of their mentorship and encouragement during my coaching career thus far. I would not be here today without them, and they have both taught me so much. I can’t wait to begin this new journey as a Beaver!”
Barnosky takes over a Babson program that returns 15 players from a team that went 26-6 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals last winter.
What others are saying about Kate Barnosky:
“I am beyond excited and proud of Kate as she embarks on this next step in her coaching journey! She is an incredible teacher, communicator, and tactician! Kate is the perfect choice to lead Babson into the next era. Over the past five years, I have had the pleasure of watching her develop into a fantastic leader, who impacts anyone who she comes in contact with.
“Babson players and community members, you are so fortunate to have one of the best human beings at the helm. I have no doubt she will continue the rich tradition of the Beavers and take the program to new heights!”
-Marisa Moseley, University of Wisconsin head women’s basketball coach
“I’m thrilled for KB, Babson women’s basketball, and the Babson College community! I had the great fortune of working with KB for nearly a decade at Tufts University, first as her coach, during which time she was a three-time captain, and then as her colleague once she joined my coaching staff. She is a dynamic leader who is committed to the holistic approach to guiding and educating her student athletes. KB has a tireless work ethic and brings a wealth of experience to prepare her for this head coaching opportunity. I’m looking forward to cheering for the Beavers for many years to come!”
-Carla Berube, Princeton University head women’s basketball coach
“I can’t say enough good things about Coach Barnosky. She has a great work ethic, knowledge of the game, genuine personality and perspective on basketball as a part of the overall student-athlete experience. I am happy for Kate to have this opportunity. She is an outstanding choice to lead Babson women’s basketball.”
-Justin Doherty, University of Wisconsin senior associate athletic director for external communications
“I am so happy for Kate and for Babson Athletics – this is a perfect match! With deep roots in New England Division III basketball, core values that align seamlessly with Babson’s, and valuable recent experience in Division I, I’m excited to watch Kate put her own mark on Babson women’s basketball. Kate is an outstanding coach, mentor, competitor, and person, and under her leadership, I have no doubt the Babson women’s basketball student-athletes will excel and reach their full potential on and off the court.
“Kate’s entire Tufts Athletics family will be cheering for her as she embarks on this exciting new challenge.”
-John Morris, Tufts University Director of Athletics
