University of North Carolina Athletics
Celebrating The Defense That Built A Dynasty
March 20, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse
It has become commonplace to watch Carolina women's lacrosse dominate opponents. The Tar Heels this season have outscored their competition 156-50 and currently hold a 30-game win streak, a program record and sixth longest streak in Division I history. For 20 years, assistant coach Phil Barnes helped set the foundation of excellence that led to three national titles and six conference championships, working with defense and goalkeepers while also overseeing the program's recruiting.
Barnes retired in 2025, and was influential in the success of the Tar Heels that a recent fundraising campaign raised $2.5 million in his honor for the women's lacrosse operating endowment. An anonymous donor started the campaign with a $1 million gift, with a request that an assistant coach position be named for Barnes.
Each sports program at Carolina has its own operating endowment. The endowment allows donors to help individual teams achieve the flexibility they need to take advantage of unique opportunities in their sport while ensuring there is long-term support for a program.
Barnes needs a trophy case to show off his accolades as a Tar Heel. He has coached several national goalies of the year, defensive players of the year, and he was twice named the IWLCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He helped coach more than 300 Carolina victories.
"Phil made an impact on every Tar Heel he coached by shaping them into elite competitors, exceptional students and amazing leaders," said athletic director Bubba Cunningham. "Naming this position reflects the lasting influence he has made on Carolina women's lacrosse and the generosity of those who believe in this program."
"We're incredibly grateful for Phil's investment in our program and our student-athletes, not just as players, but as people," said head coach Jenny Levy. "Naming the assistant coach position in his honor is a perfect way to thank Phil for his 20 years of service to the team. I'm grateful to the donors who made this happen; it is an investment in the history and future of our program."
Now, the Carolina community will pause to recognize the coach whose influence helped define two decades of Tar Heel lacrosse. Barnes will be honored when women's lacrosse hosts Boston College at noon on March 21.
Barnes retired in 2025, and was influential in the success of the Tar Heels that a recent fundraising campaign raised $2.5 million in his honor for the women's lacrosse operating endowment. An anonymous donor started the campaign with a $1 million gift, with a request that an assistant coach position be named for Barnes.
Each sports program at Carolina has its own operating endowment. The endowment allows donors to help individual teams achieve the flexibility they need to take advantage of unique opportunities in their sport while ensuring there is long-term support for a program.
Barnes needs a trophy case to show off his accolades as a Tar Heel. He has coached several national goalies of the year, defensive players of the year, and he was twice named the IWLCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He helped coach more than 300 Carolina victories.
"Phil made an impact on every Tar Heel he coached by shaping them into elite competitors, exceptional students and amazing leaders," said athletic director Bubba Cunningham. "Naming this position reflects the lasting influence he has made on Carolina women's lacrosse and the generosity of those who believe in this program."
"We're incredibly grateful for Phil's investment in our program and our student-athletes, not just as players, but as people," said head coach Jenny Levy. "Naming the assistant coach position in his honor is a perfect way to thank Phil for his 20 years of service to the team. I'm grateful to the donors who made this happen; it is an investment in the history and future of our program."
Now, the Carolina community will pause to recognize the coach whose influence helped define two decades of Tar Heel lacrosse. Barnes will be honored when women's lacrosse hosts Boston College at noon on March 21.
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