« Softball 2013

Jennifer Barnett

School
Northern Illinois
Position
First Base
Major
Nursing
AVG
.357
R
2
H
41
FLD%
.977
ERA
0
W-L
0-0
RBI
23

Classroom

Barnett carries a 3.2 cumulative grade point average pursuing her degree in nursing and is in on schedule to graduate in May 2013. She earned Victory Scholar status (3.0-3.49) within NIU’s Academic Excellence program during the 2011-12 academic year.

Character

A four-year starter for NIU, Jennifer Barnett has battled injuries and undergone two surgeries to stay on the field. A team leader on and off the diamond, she enters the 2013 season as one of four team captains for the Huskies. Her passion for softball is matched only by her dedication to helping others. Barnett is involved with a multitude of community service projects, not only as a member of the Northern Illinois softball team, but through her own initiatives. Barnett is particularly proud of her relationship with an autistic girl from her high school. Using trips to the mall as an incentive, Barnett helped teach the young woman how to count money, when it was believed she could never learn how to accomplish that feat. Barnett has also taught the young lady how to read and motivates her to exercise. When she returns home in the summer, Barnett gives free softball lessons and also coaches a youth team.

Community

Barnett and the Huskie softball team works closely with Hope Haven, a shelter for battered women, and participates in the YMCA’s annual Halloween Bash, playing games with area children. During the Christmas season, Barnett collected canned goods for the Salvation Army and purchased gifts for a family as part of the Adopt-a-Family program. Over the summer, she and her teammates assisted the local Kiwanis chapter selling corn at DeKalb’s annual Cornfest. The Huskies also play bingo with residents of a DeKalb-area retirement home. Barnett does not just limit herself to planned team projects. In the fall, she organized a team visit to the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Her community service roots began at an early age in her hometown of Indianapolis. As a freshman at Roncalli High School, Barnett, who has career aspirations of becoming a nurse, began volunteering at Riley Hospital for Children serving as a contact person for the patient’s parents. Barnett’s biggest job at the hospital, which she continues to volunteer at when she is home, was organizing and operating the hospital’s “magic castle” cart. She was responsible for taking the cart filled with games, toys and puzzles throughout the various floors of the hospital, including the cancer and burn units, delivering the toys and spending time with the patients. She earned the Indiana University Health pin for accumulating over 1,000 hours of community service at the hospital. She also works in the Lord’s Pantry, handing out food and clothes to the poor in downtown Indianapolis.

Competition

A four-year starter for the Huskies, Barnett earned second-team All Mid-American Conference honors as a utility non-pitcher in 2012. Barnett, who was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team in 2010, earned her second conference honor by ranking ninth in the league in batting with a .357 batting average and fifth on the team in hits with 41. She finished 2012 with a .417 slugging percentage and a .413 on base percentage. She played in 47 games, starting 41, playing predominantly at the designated player spot.  Also, She was named to the 12th Annual Getterman Classic All-Tournament Team and earned MAC West Division Player of the Week honors Feb. 12, 2013.