Colorado University Athletics
Colorado Athletics Announces “Ceal Barry Plaza”
October 29, 2025 | General, Women's Basketball
Plaza Outside CU Events Center To Be Dedicated to Iconic Women’s Basketball Coach
Boulder, Colo. – The University of Colorado Boulder will rename the plaza on the west side of the CU Events Center in honor of one of the university's greatest luminaries, longtime women's basketball coach and CU Athletics administrator Ceal Barry. The plaza was approved by the CU Board of Regents Finance Committee and, pending approval by the Regents at their meeting on November 6, will be dedicated in a special ceremony on January 25, 2026 when the CU women's team faces Oklahoma State.
As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, the university is eager to engage the campus and broader community to generate excitement surrounding Buffs who have left their mark on our history in a variety of ways. Among those who have contributed to Colorado's legacy from the Department of Athletics, Ceal Barry stands virtually unmatched, making permanent recognition outside CU Events Center a fitting tribute to her dedication and commitment to the University of Colorado Boulder.
"Ceal Barry is the personification of everything that CU Athletics and our university stand for," said Athletic Director Rick George. "Through her integrity, her passion for CU, and her unwavering dedication to our student-athletes over 43 years, Ceal has cemented a legacy that will live on forever. That legacy will now be matched by this permanent recognition she so richly deserves. I am so happy to honor a true Buffs legend."
"I am deeply honored and humbled that the University has chosen to recognize the rich history of Colorado Women's Basketball in this way," said Barry. "I mean this with full sincerity. It may be my name on the plaza, but there are scores of fans, players, coaches, and staff who helped lift the program to national prominence. This is such a special tribute to all of us!"
As head coach of the CU women's basketball team from 1983-2005, Barry was the winningest coach in team history by recording 472 victories. She led the Buffaloes to four regular season Big 8 titles, five conference tournament championships, three appearances in the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16, and three appearances in the Elite Eight. She has been inducted into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. After her coaching career, she spent over 15 years as CU Athletics' Senior Woman Administrator before retiring in 2020.
"As we near our 150th anniversary celebration, it's exciting to recognize those who have made a lasting impact on the University of Colorado Boulder," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "I can't think of a better person to kick off this celebration than Ceal Barry. Her contributions to CU Athletics over her 43 years in Boulder transcend wins and losses to the advancement and promotion of women's sports here and across the nation."
Preparations are currently underway for the university's 150th anniversary celebration, which will be taking place in 2026.
As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, the university is eager to engage the campus and broader community to generate excitement surrounding Buffs who have left their mark on our history in a variety of ways. Among those who have contributed to Colorado's legacy from the Department of Athletics, Ceal Barry stands virtually unmatched, making permanent recognition outside CU Events Center a fitting tribute to her dedication and commitment to the University of Colorado Boulder.
"Ceal Barry is the personification of everything that CU Athletics and our university stand for," said Athletic Director Rick George. "Through her integrity, her passion for CU, and her unwavering dedication to our student-athletes over 43 years, Ceal has cemented a legacy that will live on forever. That legacy will now be matched by this permanent recognition she so richly deserves. I am so happy to honor a true Buffs legend."
"I am deeply honored and humbled that the University has chosen to recognize the rich history of Colorado Women's Basketball in this way," said Barry. "I mean this with full sincerity. It may be my name on the plaza, but there are scores of fans, players, coaches, and staff who helped lift the program to national prominence. This is such a special tribute to all of us!"
As head coach of the CU women's basketball team from 1983-2005, Barry was the winningest coach in team history by recording 472 victories. She led the Buffaloes to four regular season Big 8 titles, five conference tournament championships, three appearances in the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16, and three appearances in the Elite Eight. She has been inducted into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. After her coaching career, she spent over 15 years as CU Athletics' Senior Woman Administrator before retiring in 2020.
"As we near our 150th anniversary celebration, it's exciting to recognize those who have made a lasting impact on the University of Colorado Boulder," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "I can't think of a better person to kick off this celebration than Ceal Barry. Her contributions to CU Athletics over her 43 years in Boulder transcend wins and losses to the advancement and promotion of women's sports here and across the nation."
Preparations are currently underway for the university's 150th anniversary celebration, which will be taking place in 2026.
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