Barb Crill dreamed big. Not just for herself, but for her students and athletes too. She dreamed of starting new programs, winning state championships, and bringing out the best in each and every student. With Barb’s dedication, leadership, and passion, those dreams came true.

Coach Crill was a visionary and pioneer in developing many athletic programs at Marquette Senior High School. She is best known for leading the 1976 Redette basketball team to a Michigan Class A State Basketball Championship, achieving the first Class A championship in any sport (boys or girls) from the Upper Peninsula.

She didn’t stop at basketball though – she also started programs for boys & girls track and field, girls and boys swimming and diving, girls tennis, and girls golf. Her legacy of commitment, dedication, and success was evident both on and off the court. She took the time to mentor students, giving each student the opportunity to succeed and achieve their maximum potential. When students were struggling, she had a unique ability, a gift, for helping them find their individual strengths.

Barb inspired countless students far beyond athletics and made a tremendous impact on the direction of many lives over the course of her ten years at MSHS. The lessons she taught on the court and in the classroom were simple: do the right thing for the right reasons, treat everyone with respect and stay the course. She held all her students and athletes to very high standards and believed that these lessons would last long after the final shot, the last whistle, or the clock running out. Barb molded students into successful athletes, but also into kind, caring, compassionate adults.

If Barb hadn’t dreamed, many accomplishments for Marquette Senior High School sports would not have come true. Thanks to her tenacious resolve and caring spirit, she left a mark on her community, her students, her athletes, and all those who were fortunate enough to have known Barb.

• Must be a female student athlete
• Exhibits leadership skills
• Demonstrates academic perseverance