Foley, Bonnie

Barbara (Bonnie) Foley attended Stratford High School where she played on the first competitive teams for girls at SHS. In only their second year of competition, Stratford won the MBIAC championship and qualified for the State Tournament. She had a career average of 30 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists. Foley scored a game high 42 points against cross town rival Bunnell High School.

Foley was selected for All-League - MBIAC and second team All-State. She was the first female selected for the Babe Ruth Award (best athlete in the school) and the first female athlete to receive a full athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University. Foley went on to an outstanding career at SIU. Her 998 rebounds are second on the “all-time” list and her 11-rebound per game average are first. Her basketball prowess resulted in a first-round draft selection by the St. Louis Streak in the first year of the Women’s Pro Basketball League (WBL) in 1979.

Foley coached on the collegiate level for 15 years at Castleton State (Vt.), Plymouth State (NH), and State University of New York at Cortland. She was twice honored as the SUNYAC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year and compiled a coaching record of 204-135.