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ALVA, Okla. - Northwestern Oklahoma State University women's basketball coach Milburn Barton recorded his 400th collegiate win on February 4, 2010 as the Lady Rangers picked up their 10th win of the season, defeating Southern Nazarene at Percefull Fieldhouse. Currently, Barton carries a 400-343 overall record as the Lady Rangers head coach.
"This is a marvelous accomplishment for Milburn," stated Athletic Director Bob Battisti. "I respect his competitiveness, but truly appreciate how he has treated the young ladies in our basketball program for 26 years. Milburn Barton is a class act who won 400 games at Northwestern by being a team player, accepting responsibility and never making excuses. I am proud to count him as a dear friend."
Barton, who is in his 26th season and second tenure at Northwestern, took the Northwestern women's head coaching job in 1978. He served 20 seasons before taking over as the Athletic Director for a six-year term and then resumed his coaching duties for the 2004-05 season.
In his 25 years of coaching, Barton has been overly impressive. He has led the Lady Rangers to three trips to the NAIA National Tournament and has captured two conference titles. Barton has produced four All-Americans and was named the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference Women's Coach of the Year three times.
He is responsible for Northwestern's best season in Lady Ranger history, when his 1980-81 No. 1 ranked squad posted a 24-2 record and took home the state championship. During that season, Northwestern defeated three NCAA Division I powerhouses, including: Wichita State University, Oklahoma State University and Oral Roberts.
In 2000, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
In February of 2004, Barton was part of the 12th class of Northwestern's elite Sports Hall of Fame.