A lifelong educator and decorated athlete, Barron steps into the role with a strong mix of experience, passion, and personal ties to the Marian community.
Currently serving as a history teacher at Marian, Barron said leading the Fillies has long been a dream.
“I’m so excited; it has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember,” she said. “Basketball has always been a love of mine, and this is my way of paying it forward to the athletes of tomorrow.”
Her appointment comes on the heels of her induction into the Hazleton Sports Hall of Fame last week, a recognition of her outstanding playing career. A standout at West Hazleton High School from 1989 to 1992, Barron scored more than 1,500 points and helped lead the Lady Wildcats to the 1991 Eastern Final against Allentown Central Catholic. As a point guard, she set school records in assists and scoring, earning First Team honors from both the Standard-Speaker and Pottsville Republican all four years. She capped her senior season as Player of the Year for both publications.
Barron continued her career at Division II Lock Haven University, starting all four years and leaving her name in the record books for assists and field goal attempts. She also represented the U.S. on a European basketball tour, playing in seven countries.
“I realize this is a change for the program and I welcome the opportunity to lead it,” Barron said. “Marian is in my heart; Marian is my home. There wasn’t a better opportunity for me to step in.”
Her coaching experience includes roles as a junior varsity and assistant coach at Hazleton Elementary Middle School under Pat Brogan, leading a traveling team, and assisting with AAU programs alongside longtime coach Joe Barletta. She emphasized that her coaching philosophy is centered on developing skills, building team chemistry, and fostering a love of the game.
“My goal is to help the girls fall in love with the game,” she said. “I want them to be happy, to play hard, to play smart, and to have fun. This is a time of transition, and it will take time – we need to learn about each other.”
Barron lives in Drums with her husband, Jack, and is the mother of three Marian graduates: Bethany Shaud (Class of 2015), Emily Shaud (2020), and Katie Barron (2025). Her daughter Emily, notably, scored more than 1,000 points during her career with the Fillies, continuing the family’s basketball tradition.
Currently serving as a history teacher at Marian, Barron said leading the Fillies has long been a dream.
“I’m so excited; it has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember,” she said. “Basketball has always been a love of mine, and this is my way of paying it forward to the athletes of tomorrow.”
Her appointment comes on the heels of her induction into the Hazleton Sports Hall of Fame last week, a recognition of her outstanding playing career. A standout at West Hazleton High School from 1989 to 1992, Barron scored more than 1,500 points and helped lead the Lady Wildcats to the 1991 Eastern Final against Allentown Central Catholic. As a point guard, she set school records in assists and scoring, earning First Team honors from both the Standard-Speaker and Pottsville Republican all four years. She capped her senior season as Player of the Year for both publications.
Barron continued her career at Division II Lock Haven University, starting all four years and leaving her name in the record books for assists and field goal attempts. She also represented the U.S. on a European basketball tour, playing in seven countries.
“I realize this is a change for the program and I welcome the opportunity to lead it,” Barron said. “Marian is in my heart; Marian is my home. There wasn’t a better opportunity for me to step in.”
Her coaching experience includes roles as a junior varsity and assistant coach at Hazleton Elementary Middle School under Pat Brogan, leading a traveling team, and assisting with AAU programs alongside longtime coach Joe Barletta. She emphasized that her coaching philosophy is centered on developing skills, building team chemistry, and fostering a love of the game.
“My goal is to help the girls fall in love with the game,” she said. “I want them to be happy, to play hard, to play smart, and to have fun. This is a time of transition, and it will take time – we need to learn about each other.”
Barron lives in Drums with her husband, Jack, and is the mother of three Marian graduates: Bethany Shaud (Class of 2015), Emily Shaud (2020), and Katie Barron (2025). Her daughter Emily, notably, scored more than 1,000 points during her career with the Fillies, continuing the family’s basketball tradition.