Jackie (Williford) Copeland was one of the key players who helped kick-start current Head Women’s Basketball Coach Wendee Saintsing’s successful, long-term career.
Copeland, a native of Windsor, N.C., was an all-state, all-tournament and team MVP who led Barton to its first-ever Conference Carolinas (then-CIAC) Women’s Basketball Championship in 1990-91.
The Bulldogs went 22-5 that season and advanced to the NAIA District 26 Finals.
That year, Barton defeated Wingate in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament – snapping the Wingate’s 97-game home winning streak – one of the highlights of the season. In addition, she crossed the 1,000-point scoring mark as a senior and remembers then-Athletic Director Gary Hall stopping the game and presenting the game ball.
Copeland was a standout softball and basketball player in high school (Lawrence Academy). Copeland scored 1,476 points in her prep career, was a four-year all-state honoree and two-year team MVP and led her squad to a perfect 26-0 record and the state championship. On the diamond, Copeland was also a three-time all-state selection and two-time MVP.
Copeland said she found Barton (Atlantic Christian) through friends in high school who told her it was a very nice college and recommended visiting campus.
“One of the fondest memories of this college was the way the professors knew me by name and taught with passion to all their students,” said Copeland. “We were not just a number at this College.”
Copeland also recalls Tony Tilley’s wings and cheese sticks at the Bulldog Den. “He came to student events to try to keep the morale of the student body up and many great memories I will cherish because of people like Mr. Tilley (now retired and long-time Director of Food Services at Barton).”
Copeland was also fond of Coach Saintsing (Barton Hall of Fame Class of 2018). “I had the opportunity to play for Wendee Saintsang for three out of my four years. She was passionate about her players and taught us not just the game of basketball but also about life. As far as my team, they became my family through the years and we were all part of a great experience.”
Copeland, a 1991 and 1993 graduate of Barton with degrees in Science Elementary Education K-6 and Health and P.E. K-12, has been a teacher and coach the past 26 years.
Copeland has worked in Bertie, N.C., at Bertie High School for the past two decades and currently serves as the Head Women’s Tennis and Softball Coach. Previously, she was the women’s basketball mentor.
Copeland and her husband currently reside in Windsor, N.C. Copeland was also a guest speaker at Barton’s annual Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports Day in 2019.
