Latest news with #BarryUniversity
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Barry University's new women's hoops coach learned tips from NBA legend
Allison Bustamante, a former Notre Dame recruit and one of the greatest women's basketball players ever to come out of Miami, is the new coach at Barry University. Bustamante, in a phone interview with the Miami Herald on Wednesday night, let it be known that she's 'ready' for this opportunity. 'I'm ready to compete,' said Bustamante, 42. 'I'm ready to recruit, and I'm ready to grow something special at Barry.' Bustamante, a 6-foot guard, was a four-time, first-team All-Dade player at Lourdes Academy, where she was coached by her stepfather, Chris McKeon. In addition, Bustamante was twice named first-team All-State, and she was twice named The Herald's girls' basketball Player of the Year. She split her college career between Notre Dame – where she was part of the Fighting Irish's 2001 national championship team – and FIU. After college, Bustamante sold medical equipment for nearly two years. But one day, McKeon came home and found Bustamante watching his old Hubie Brown 'coaching tips' VHS tapes. 'She was working in sales, but I knew her passion for basketball was still there,' McKeon said. 'I just had to give her a nudge toward coaching, but she was a natural.' After that 'nudge,' Bustamante started showing up at Lourdes practices, giving the girls her own tips. From there, she took a seat on the bench as a Lourdes assistant coach. By then, Bustamante had found a new passion, going back to school to become a physician's assistant. Ultimately, though, she had to choose her path, and basketball won her heart … just like always. From there, she became a high school head coach, leading Carrollton to the first district title in program history. For the past couple of years, Bustamante coached at Doral Academy, leading the Firebirds to the state semifinals in 2023 and 2024. Prior to her arrival, Doral had never reached that far in girls' hoops. Since 2017, Bustamante has also had her own skills-development business, 'AB Basketball', where she trains players of all ages. And, she started a girls' basketball travel team named Miami Impact. 'I wanted to make an impact, hence the name,' Bustamante said. Bustamante has indeed made an impact, and she wants to continue that at Barry, where there are currently just three players on the roster and no assistant coaches. 'We have a lot of work to do,' Bustamante said. Still, this feels right for a woman who grew up with basketball in her life on the daily. 'After I graduated college, I thought I was done with basketball,' she said. 'My body had been put through the ringer because I played such a reckless style, and I wasn't the most patient person when it came to rehab.' But then the opportunity to coach came her way, and she's not looking back. 'I'm a Miami kid born and raised,' she said. 'I'd love to stay at Barry for a long time. 'It may sound crazy, but I'm going to try to build it in a year. If not, I think in two years we're going to have a program that everyone in the community will be proud of. 'I want to compete nationally.' Hubie Brown would expect nothing less. THIS AND THAT ▪ Barry's men's tennis team (21-4) lost 4-3 to ninth-ranked Washburn in the second round of the recent NCAA Division II national tournament at Altamonte Springs. Barry had been ranked third in the nation. ▪ Nova Southeastern University's women's golf team finished 10th in the national NCAA Division II tournament at Boulder City, Nevada. ▪ St. Thomas University's softball team finished its impressive season with a 49-8 record, losing twice to Georgia Gwinnett in an NAIA regional.
Miami Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Barry edges Nova Southeastern for seventh NCAA Division II title in women's tennis in eight years
This was so close. Barry University and Nova Southeastern University — two schools located 17 miles apart — battled to the end on Sunday morning as they competed for the NCAA Division II national championship in women's tennis. The Barry University Buccaneers prevailed, 4-3, at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs. 'We knew it was going to be a tough match,' Barry coach Avi Kigel said. 'Our girls competed like warriors.' After three doubles matches (worth a total of one point) and five singles matches, the score was tied, 3-3. And, after two sets of the final match of the year, the score was again tied, 1-1. However, Barry's Andrea Di Palma pulled away at the end, defeating NSU's Sofia Shing, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. Top-ranked Barry finished its season 26-1, winning its ninth national title, including seven in the past eight years, all under Kigel. Barry broke the record for most national titles in Division II women's tennis. Armstrong State, now defunct, had the previous record of eight. Second-ranked NSU finished its season 25-4. The Sharks have played Barry for the national title three straight years, losing in 2023 and 2025 but earning the championship in 2024. Of NSU's four losses this season, three were to Barry. Another highlight of Sunday's match: Barry's No. 6 singles player, senior Angela Leweurs, became the first women's tennis player from her school to be a part of four national championships. NSU won the doubles point. NSU's won at No. 1 doubles as Isabella Ciancaglini and Kristyna Hranacova defeated Ailen Crespo and Di Palma, 6-3. Barry's Viktoria Dema and Mana Tatarnikova beat Shing and Noemie Dadoun, 6-0, in No. 2 doubles. NSU's wrapped up the doubles point as Ita Habekovic and Julia Moraes won, 6-3. NSU's Hranacova won at No. 1 singles, 6-0, 6-4, over Alina Michalitsch. NSU also won at No. 2 singles as Habekovic defeated Dema, 7-5, 6-3. However, Barry won at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 singles, tying the match, 3-3. Barry's singles winners were Louane Lutringer (6-0, 6-1 over Ciancaglini); Dinara Alloiarova (7-5, 6-4 over Dadoun); and Angela Leweurs (6-4, 6-4 over Moraes).
Axios
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
South Florida mother-daughter duo earn master's degrees together
Marnatha Ternier was scared of failing after taking the leap to go back to school and pursue a master's degree at Barry University. In her most stressful moments, though, help was near: Hillary Pierre, Ternier's 23-year-old daughter, was also her classmate. Why it matters: Ternier and Pierre will graduate together on Saturday, the conclusion of a one-year academic journey that strengthened their mother-daughter bond. The intrigue: Ternier, a 48-year-old former Haitian government minister, tells Axios that she experienced a role reversal in her relationship with her daughter. When Ternier felt overwhelmed and ready to give up, "Hillary was there like a mother supporting me." Pierre says she helped her mom register for online classes and provided tech support. There were times she would see her mother in front of the computer all day, tired and stressed about school, so she would remind Ternier of her strength. "This is a piece of cake for you." Yes, but: Pierre said her mom had her back, too, as Pierre balanced her pursuit of a Master of Business Administration in Finance degree with a job at the university. "When it was her turn to [feel stressed], I had to step in, this time as her mother and her friend," Ternier says. "It was a role reversal that brought us even closer." Flashback: Ternier decided to enroll at Barry University about six months after Pierre did. Ternier, who is receiving a Master's in Public Administration, said she was inspired by her daughter's academic journey and motivated to continue serving the Haitian community amid "chaos" in their home country. "Instead of giving up, I chose to turn that anger into purpose. I decided to prepare myself, to educate myself so I could be part of my country's rebuilding." What's next: Ternier, who served 15 years in the Haitian government and was the minister of Haitians Living Abroad, is a full-time writer who wants to continue informing readers about current affairs in Haiti. "I feel like there was a need and there's still a need for my people to understand what's really going on in Haiti right now." Pierre says she is considering getting an educational doctorate in organizational leadership next. Bottom line: The mother-daughter duo say this Mother's Day will have extra meaning.
Miami Herald
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Butch Estes leaving Barry University after 12 years as Bucs men's basketball coach
Jonathan Holton's life was – as he puts it – 'in shambles.' But Butch Estes helped him put it back together. Estes, 76, recently announced his retirement from Barry University, where he had served as men's basketball coach for the past 12 years. In total, Estes has coached college basketball for 52 seasons, including 38 years as the head man. Estes has won 11 Coach of the Year honors, and he is the only coach in Barry history to take the men's basketball team to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He also led Barry to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the only time in school history, and he did that twice. But beyond all of that, Estes has made a positive influence on young men – just ask Holton, who went on to play Division I basketball at West Virginia and is now playing as a pro, most recently in Kuwait. 'He's a winner,' said Holton, who played for Estes at Palm Beach State. 'He's a great coach – did things by the book. 'When I got to him, I had an attitude. My life was in shambles. He had me over to his house for dinner. His wife would cook, and they made me and my teammates feel at home. 'I'm happy he got on me academically because that allowed me to play at the next level at West Virginia.' Estes coached at three different Miami colleges. He was the head coach at Miami Dade College (2003-2006); and he was an assistant at the University of Miami (2006-2007) before landing at Barry. It was at Barry where Estes had his most success as the Bucs won more than 20 games in four straight seasons (2014-2015 to 2017-2018). In 2016 and 2018, Barry came within three wins of a national championship. Adrian Gonzalez, who is now a Miami-Dade police officer, was a guard on that Barry team that went to the Elite Eight in 2016. Gonzalez, a gifted offensive player who had won a state title at Hialeah Gardens High, said Estes pushed him to be better on defense. 'Playing for Butch was one of the greatest experiences of my life,' Gonzalez said. 'But he was strict on me about my defense. 'He demanded a lot of me at an early age, as a freshman.' Dozens of Estes' former players have gone on to play pro basketball, a list that includes former Barry All-Americans such as Elvar Fridriksson (now playing in Greece) and Yunio Barrueta (Spain). Estes has also served as a mentor to younger coaches such as Bill Morosco, who was 28 when he was hired at Barry. Morosco is now the head coach at Lynn University, an NCAA Division II program in Boca Raton. 'I learned how to be a head coach from Butch,' Morosco said. 'He taught me how to teach players. He taught me how to manage games. 'Sometimes, I would sit in his office, and I would almost quiz him. 'If we're down by three points in the final 10 seconds, and they have the ball, what would you do?' 'He taught me to always keep a couple of timeouts in your back pocket for the end of games.' Added Justin Furr, who is now an assistant coach at Indiana State: 'Coach Estes has been a model of consistency throughout his career.' For now, Estes will remain at Barry, helping the Bucs find a new coach, which is imminent. In August, Estes will officially leave Barry and return to Charleston, South Carolina, where his wife, Tonya, is the news director for WCBD-TV. 'My No. 1 motivation for leaving Barry is that I've been living away from my wife for the past six years, and that's not healthy for a marriage,' Estes said. 'I hate to even think of all the money we've spent on flights back and forth to see each other and on a house over there and a condo down here.' As for what's next in his life, Estes, who has five years of experience as a TV basketball analyst for FOX, doesn't know if he will return to broadcasting or get a coaching job in the Charleston/surrounding areas. But Estes said he can't sit around and do nothing. 'I don't know what I'm going to do,' he said. 'But, whatever it is, I'm excited about it.'
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republican Moraitis matches Democrat Moskowitz in early money raised for Florida's hottest 2026 Congress race
In his first four weeks as a candidate in Florida's most competitive congressional district, Republican George Moraitis raised almost as much as incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz took in during the first three months of the year. Moraitis raised $152,369 over 29 days in March, according to his first campaign finance report. That works out to about $5,254 a day. Moskowitz raised $168,960 during the first quarter, which works out to $1,877 a day. 'That's strong for the first month and a first-time congressional candidate,' said Sean Foreman, a political scientist at Barry University. Still, Moraitis has a lot more fundraising ahead to have hope of defeating the Democratic incumbent. And Moskowitz will have to raise much more to fend off the Republican challenge. The August 2026 primary and November general election in the Broward-Palm Beach county 23rd Congressional District will help determine if Republicans or Democrats control the House of Representatives after the midterm elections. 'I thought we did outstanding,' Moraitis said. 'We had lots of support from a lot of good friends and family. We're very excited to have the kind of support that we did.' Moskowitz's campaign pushed for more donations in recent days. In a Wednesday night email blast, the congressman told supporters he's being kept awake at night by the challenge. 'Republicans have a target on my back because they know that my race is one of the most competitive in the country, and my MAGA opponents are getting ready to spend whatever it takes to defeat me,' he wrote. 'But my campaign isn't propped up by billionaires. It's powered by folks like you chipping in what you can, when you can.' Raised: Moskowitz raised $123,000 from individual contributors and $46,000 from political action committees and a member of Congress. Moraitis raised $146,800 from individual contributors and $4,000 from one PAC and a member of Congress. Spending: Moskowitz spent significantly more than Moraitis — just under $111,000 — during the quarter, which is typical for incumbents. His spending included political consulting and political staff, as well as travel and fundraising expenses. Moraitis spent just under $9,000. Cash on hand: Moskowitz had $392,500 in his campaign account as of March 31, the report showed. Moraitis had $253,400 in the bank. Moskowitz ended the quarter with more cash on hand than Moraitis because he started the year with $349,000 in the bank after his 2024 campaign. The Republican started with a zero balance when he announced his candidacy on March 3. Both candidates' March 31 totals reflect money they've lent to their own campaigns. The Moskowitz campaign still owes $100,700 to the candidate for money he put into his first congressional effort in 2022. So far, his campaign has repaid $199,300 of the money Moskowitz lent his campaign in 2022. Moraitis lent his campaign $111,000 as it got underway last month. Candidate loans to their campaigns in early stages show potential donors that they are committed to the race, with skin in the game. And it helps show, especially early on, a higher campaign balance, which can act as a deterrent for others to enter the race. Sometimes the loans stay on the books for years. Sometimes they're repaid as more campaign donations come in. Challenger raises 18 times as much campaign money as Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Former Republican lawmaker George Moraitis announces challenge to Congressman Jared Moskowitz Congressional Republicans eye Jared Moskowitz as Democrat they might be able to beat 'Grave concerns': Don't threaten Social Security phone lines, Moskowitz urges Congressman Randy Fine says it's 'troubling' that two Republicans DeSantis recently criticized are both Jewish Moskowitz, Donalds seek independence for embattled FEMA to improve it Money is only one part of the political calculation in the 23rd District, which takes in northern Broward and much of the coast extending south through most of Fort Lauderdale and a share of southern Palm Beach County. Foreman said he had no doubt both would have enough money to run credible campaigns. 'I would expect that Moraitis is going to raise a lot more money this summer,' Foreman said. 'I don't think the problem is going to be raising money for Moskowitz. He can raise money. His name recognition has grown in recent years. The concern for him is some Democrats think he's too cozy with Republicans.' Moskowitz is seeking a third term. He's a former Parkland city commissioner and former appointed state emergency management director and appointed Broward County commissioner. Moraitis is different from the previous Republican nominees. He is a former four-term state representative from an East Broward district that includes territory that's in the congressional district. Democrats are optimistic partly because the first midterm election after a presidential election is usually good for the party that doesn't control the White House. Republicans are optimistic because Florida, including the 23rd Congressional District, has become more Republican. In both the 2022 and 2024 elections, Moskowitz won by the smallest margin of any congressional race in the state. Just how competitive is the district? The partisan voting index from the Cook Political Report rates the district as D plus 2, which means it performed 2 points more Democratic than the nation during the past two presidential contests. That represents a shift toward the Republicans as all of Florida, including parts of the traditionally Democratic 23rd District, has moved to the right. After the 2020 presidential election and before last year's voting, the partisan voting index was D plus 5. A separate Cook Political Report analysis of the midterm election outlook rates the 23rd District as the only 'potentially competitive' Democratic-held district in the state at this point in the election cycle. National Republicans didn't devote money or attention to the 23rd District in 2022 or 2024. For 2026, the National Republican Congressional Committee has Moskowitz on its list of 26 Democrats it is targeting for defeat. 'This is the only seat in Florida which is competitive in terms of a chance for Republicans to pick up a seat in the House. There may only be 30 to 40 seats in the House nationwide that may be competitive,' Moraitis said. And national Republicans are taking Moraitis seriously as a candidate. Earlier this month, he met in Washington, D.C., with members of Congress, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and political staffers for Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House. 'We've had good meetings with leadership in the House, and they're very enthusiastic about the campaign in terms of this is going to be a strategic race,' Moraitis said. 'They're very excited about how well we started.' If Moraitis wins the primary, Foreman said, 'that's going to be one of the nationally focused congressional races.' Three other Republicans, who've collectively run for Congress nine times before, have also said they're running for their party's nomination in the 23rd District. Raven Harrison: Raised $7,100 and spent $27,900. She also reported outstanding loans of $270,000. Harrison ended the quarter with $249,300 in cash. Harrison received 5.5% of the vote in a Texas congressional primary 2022, finishing last in a five-candidate race. She describes herself online as 'The Conservative Warrior.' Joe Kaufman: Raised $40,900 and spent $1,100. He started the quarter with $62,800 in cash on hand and ended the quarter with a cash balance of $102,600. He has debts, including loans to himself, totaling $89,900, from previous candidacies. Kaufman was the unsuccessful 2024 nominee against Moskowitz and previously ran for Congress in 2018, 2016, 2014 and 2012. He also unsuccessfully ran for state House of Representatives in 1990 and 2000. Kaufman is a counter-terrorism researcher, writer and lecturer. Darlene Cerezo Swaffar: Raised $3,925 and spent $3,200. Her cash on hand was $907. She reports owing debt of $21,000 to herself from her previous candidacy. Swaffar lost three Republican primaries for Congress, in 2020, 2022 and 2024. She runs a Medicare health insurance brokerage firm. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@ and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon.
