Barbara Moe (2004) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Barbara Moe

Induction:
2004
Class:
1980

Barbara Moe Volleyball, 1977-80 Years at MSU: 1977-80 Honors Earned: Four-time All-Conference Hometown: Spokane, Washington “Barbara really got our program started. She was sensational.” –Dr Ginny Hunt, MSU Women’s Athletic Director Montana State’s volleyball team annually is among the nation’s top 25 teams in attendance, and challenges for the Big Sky title every year. But it wasn’t always that way. In the early days of women’s intercollegiate athletics, athletes often competed in empty gyms with substandard uniforms and equipment after traveling in less-than-optimal conditions. Those were the 1970s and early ‘80s, when opportunities for female athletes just weren’t very plentiful. Athletes that competed in those conditions were pioneers, and a few such athletes became legends. Barbara Moe, recognized as the top setter in the region during her career at Montana State, remains a shining star many years after her career. Moe was “a floor general,” according to MSU Women’s Athletic Director Ginny Hint, and was hand-chosen by head coach Bill Neville to essentially start in a serious way MSU’s intercollegiate volleyball program. “She was the perfect person to build a program around,” Hunt said. Although statistics don’t’ survive, Moe’s legacy shows up every time the Bobcats take the floor in front of a packed house in Shroyer Gym. “She really got our program started, and after those first couple of years, our fans responded in a huge way. We used to pack Romney Gym.” Moe joins Diane Terrall, who credits Moe for her success, as the only volleyball players in the Wendy’s Hall of Fame.