Patricia Barnaba

Patricia Barnaba arrived at Manasquan High School in 1971 at a time when girls were not offered varsity sports. She would spend the next 37 years systematically changing that — becoming one of the most decorated coaches in Manasquan history.

Coach Barnaba founded the girls' field hockey program in 1971 and spent her entire career leading it. Over those 37 seasons she compiled 361 wins, 4 NJSIAA Championships, 13 divisional championships, and the 1998 Shore Conference Tournament title. She was voted NJ State Field Hockey Coach of the Year by the Star Ledger in 1990 and Shore Conference Coach of the Year twice (1990 and 1998).

In 1975, she founded the softball program and coached it for 20 seasons. Her teams compiled 453 wins, 3 NJSIAA Championships, 14 divisional titles, 2 Shore Conference championships (1977 and 1986), and a Monmouth County title in 1999. She was named Coach of the Year twice in softball as well — by the Asbury Park Press in 1986 and the Star Ledger in 1987.

Coach Barnaba also re-established the girls' basketball program after a 34-year hiatus, winning 86 games in 6 seasons. Her 900 total career wins across three sports speak to a lifetime of building championship culture at Manasquan. She was inducted into the NJSIAA Coaches' Hall of Fame in 2000, and in her honor, the MHS field hockey field was dedicated in her name.