Barker Leaves Lasting Legacy at Michigan State
11/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
By Nick Barnowski, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
EAST LANSING, Mich. - With five siblings, it's easy to see why Abby Barker is so competitive.
"It's always a little competitive around the house in every single thing possible," she said.
That spirit within her helped Barker become one of Michigan State field hockey's all-time greats.
The Columbus, Ohio, native was named first team All-Big Ten in three consecutive seasons and has left her mark on the Spartan record books. She finished her career fourth all-time in points and goals. This past season saw her break into the top 10 in MSU history for assists (12) and points (40) in a single season.
"I don't settle," the senior forward said. "I have a nose for the goal and I've always had that; I think that sense has led me to my success."
After leading MSU to a Big Ten championship in 2013, Barker and the Spartans finished 10-9 this season, reaching the Big Ten Tournament's quarterfinals. Barker said she'd throw her records away for the Big Ten title.
"I've had a lot of individual success, which is great, but I wouldn't be where I am today without my teammates," she said. "For me, the greatest accomplishment I've had here is winning the Big Ten championship."
In addition to the conference title, the Spartans reached the NCAA Elite Eight, an experience Barker had a hard time describing.
"It was unbelievable," she said. "It was such a good experience for everyone, especially our class who hadn't been to the NCAA tournament our whole careers."
When she started playing field hockey in seventh grade, Barker never imagined making it this far. A field hockey program was created at her middle school and Barker knew the coach, which piqued her interest.
"I remember a bunch of my friends doing it and my mom was like, `Do you want to try it?' I just remember playing on the grass fields at St. Agatha and starting my experience there."
At Bishop Watterson High School, Barker was a state champion in 2009 and was named her team's captain in her senior year. She also lettered in lacrosse and played soccer as well.
"By sophomore year, field hockey was the only sport I was playing," she said. "By then, I wanted to play in college. That was definitely a goal."
She said that recruiting was stressful, but knew Michigan State was the place for her after she visited East Lansing. Leaving Columbus was tough, especially with Ohio State University right in her backyard, but the fact that MSU was comparable in size with OSU helped.
"I always knew I wanted to go to a big college," she said. "It was an easy choice to come here."
Her parents, Bill and Donna, continue to be a large influence in Barker's life. Whenever they can, they drive eight hours roundtrip to see their daughter play in East Lansing.
"My family is so critical to me being successful and having a great career," Barker said. "They have such good hard work ethics and that's definitely influenced me as a person and player."
After graduation, the kinesiology major plans to become a dermatologist, following the medical path of her father who is an orthopedic surgeon. Until then, she'll revel in all that she has accomplished wearing the green and white.
"Being able to balance athletics and school and my personal life, it's made me grow as a person," she said. "I've learned so many lessons here that I'll never forget."
