The milestone victory occurred at home on Friday night, where NYU defeated the University of Chicago with an impressive score of 80-58. This win not only marked their 50th consecutive victory but also tied them with Amherst for the ninth-longest streak ever recorded in Division III. Despite the streak, neither the players nor the coaching staff is preoccupied with the numbers. Coach Meg Barber emphasizes the unique qualities of this year’s team, stating, “The team this year is so different. The journey we’ve been on has been like putting together a different puzzle. In my mind, I don’t equate that we’re on a run as a program.” Barber admitted that each game still brings her a sense of anxiety.
Those nerves dissipate quickly in most cases. This season, prior to the game against Chicago, the Violets had only found themselves trailing once, when they faced a brief 5-2 deficit against Case Western last month, which they subsequently overcame with a staggering 107-31 victory. In their matchup with Chicago, the Violets quickly regained their footing after falling behind early on.
Barber’s path to coaching at her alma mater began seven years ago after she had considered leaving the sport. Following a year in law school after serving as an assistant coach at Temple, she received an unexpected call from Janice Quinn, her former coach and the school’s senior women’s administrator. Quinn presented Barber with the opportunity to coach at NYU, a chance she could not resist. “It felt like the perfect fit for me as a coach and just as a professional for my career,” Barber recalled.
Since her playing days in the late 1990s, NYU has undergone significant transformations, including a nearly $1.3 billion renovation of its athletic facilities in Greenwich Village. This overhaul not only revamped the sports complex but also added classrooms, housing for students and faculty, and high-end performing arts spaces.
During the construction phase lasting from 2016 to 2023, teams had to compete at alternative venues. NYU’s success isn’t limited to women’s basketball, as the men’s basketball team also ranks within the top-tier teams at No. 3 in Division III, and the men’s volleyball team holds the top position in their category. Additionally, the women’s volleyball team made it to the Final Four in the inaugural year of the new facility.
Despite the challenges during the transition, Barber played a crucial role in attracting players to the program. One such recruit was star player Natalie Bruns. Barber introduced Bruns to the plans for the new facility, highlighting the vision beyond just a basketball court. In reflecting on the decision to join NYU, Bruns noted the importance of the community and support she felt from the program, emphasizing that having such backing is truly invaluable.
Bruns had a significant role in last year’s championship campaign and utilized the additional year of eligibility offered by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although she had several Division I offers, she opted to stay at NYU to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity, valuing both her academic goals and the unforgettable experiences of her time with the team.
Bruns wasn’t alone among players seeking an extra year at NYU. Coach Barber identified Jamie Behar, who had hit the transfer portal after four years at Lehigh, seeking a second master’s in sports business. Behar’s transition from Division I to Division III was not typical, but she found it to be a perfect match for her aspirations both academically and athletically.
Behar described her experience, noting the differences in travel arrangements within the University Athletic Association, which spans cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, St. Louis, and Atlanta, resulting in a unique experience of flying to most conference games. Additionally, she mentioned the differences in scholarship offerings, noting that while she had an athletic scholarship at Lehigh, NYU provides various grants and opportunities for assistance to student-athletes. The tuition at NYU is just under $63,000, and the school actively seeks ways to support their athletes financially.
