Legendary coach Barbara Stevens’ legacy lives on at Bentley University

By LIAM O’BRIEN
Waltham Times Contributing Writer

When a historic college head coach decides to retire from the position, the aftermath can be difficult for both sides to cope with.

The team must grapple with the obstacle of replicating a culture that it carried for years, trying to find a new path forward after losing a legendary figure. 

The situation can be equally challenging for the coach, who must find the ability to compartmentalize departing from a lifelong passion and moving on to the next chapter in life.

Solving the scenario is made even heavier when the coach stepping aside is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Despite what seems like an arduous hurdle to overcome, former Bentley women’s basketball coach Barbara Stevens and the Falcons have managed to strike the perfect balance.

Stevens, 70, is enjoying her post-coaching days living in the Bishops Forest community in North Waltham. 

Meanwhile, the Bentley team is thriving as well, while also maintaining her legacy. 

Stevens passed along the coaching duties to C White, who played the point guard position for Stevens from 1997-2001 before coaching alongside her for 17 seasons. This has allowed the program to maintain the same principles that Stevens instilled in her players over 34 years at the helm.

“When I started thinking about retirement, I really started to begin thinking about my successor,” Stevens said during an early December interview with The Times. “To me, there was no one better than White in terms of everything. Keeping our culture alive, she understood what we call the ‘Bentley way.’ How we established our program, the expectations and the standards that we had. There was no other choice, and the administration agreed.”

Stevens has been able to maintain considerable ties to the Falcons without taking a heavy-handed approach. The 16-time Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year still makes it over to the Charles A. Dana Center for most home games.

“I like to go to as many games as I can, but I am strictly a fan,” Stevens said. “I enjoy that part of it very much. I don’t have to bring the results of the game home with me, the wins and losses. I don’t have to worry about all of the prep for the opponent. That I am happy about.”

The 2014 Division II champion coach remains plenty involved in the Bentley scene. She speaks in multiple classes at the university and was a co-facilitator in the Captain’s Council, a five-part program this past fall which brought together captains from all of the Falcons sports teams. The group convened to share stories about leadership while engaging in some problem-solving scenarios as well.

Stevens has lived in Waltham for 27 years, surrounded by family residing in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

“I’ve stayed since I’ve retired, as it’s just a great place to be,” Stevens said of living in Waltham. “I am at the point right now where I’m just going with the flow. I am happy here, and it’s a great place.”

The Falcons are in a great place as well. They have started the season with an 8-1 record led by senior forward Kylie DuCharme, owner of team-leading averages of 13.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

“They have a very good team this year,” Stevens said. “Their expectations are very high, and they have the potential to go very far. Everyone has to bring their best because each opponent they play comes gunning for Bentley.”

Thanks for reading! We are a reader-supported nonprofit newspaper. If you value our reporting, please support The Waltham Times through a tax-deductible gift.