The Official Site of Louisiana State University Eunice Bengal Athletics

Michael Bari enters his ninth season as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Louisiana State University Eunice, and has led the Lady Bengals to a finish in the final four at the 2007 National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament.

In his time with LSU Eunice, he has won over 100 games in five seasons, and 4 postseason appearances in five years, including the aforementioned National Tournament berth.  His record with LSU Eunice stands at 146-94.  Bari was hired as the second Head Coach in program history in August 2004.

Bari’s first coaching experience came after he was brought on to be a graduate assistant for the East Stroudsburg University Baseball team.  Bari's graduate experience proved valuable in his development as a coach.  While at ESU, Bari served as the assistant baseball coach and pitching coach for the NCAA Division II program.  Bari led a rotation that included the Pitcher of the Year in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, and three seven-game winners in a season which had the Warriors participating in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional in 1985.  In addition to his work on the playing fields, Bari worked hard in the classroom.  In 1986, his hard work paid off, and he was awarded his Masters in Education degree.

From East Stroudsburg, Bari moved on to Penn State University - Behrend College campus in 1986.  As the Head Baseball Coach, Bari took over a program in transition, going from a NJCAA program to an NCAA Division III program.  He also was Assistant Women's Basketball Coach for the PSU-Behrend Lady Lions team, Intramural Supervisor, and Health/Physical Education instructor for the university.  He also served as radio play-by-play announcer for WPSE 1450-AM and called games for the Men’s Basketball team among other events.

After four years with Penn State – Behrend, Bari accepted his first head coaching position in the sport of basketball.  Bari was hired at Alderson Broaddus College in Phillipi, West Virginia in 1990.  As the Head Women's Basketball Coach, Bari led the Battlers to a 10-17 record and a West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament berth.  Bari also assisted with the women's volleyball program, taught courses in the Health/Physical Education Department and started a club softball team for the campus’ student population.

After spending one season at Alderson Broaddus, Bari returned home to Pennsylvania.  Bari was brought in to be the Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Gannon University.  Gannon, an NCAA D-II institution in Erie, Pennsylvania, is located just minutes away from where Bari grew up.  He led the Golden Knights Baseball program to a school record 23 wins in his final season.  In his first season as an assistant for the Lady Knights Basketball team, Bari helped bring the team back to their winning ways.  After finishing 13-13 in 1992, it was the first .500+ season for the Lady Knights since 1988.  During Bari’s tenure, he also served as a member of the NCAA Central Atlantic Regional Selection Committee for two years.

In 1995, Bari decided that he wanted to leave coaching to spend more time with his wife and kids, and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. While there, he was the owner of Advantage Sports Consulting.  At ASC, Bari ran individual and small group clinics for young baseball and basketball players.  He also was a seminar director for elderly groups and helped them with health related issues and raising their awareness in general wellness.  Bari has taken these core values he taught to the groups, and relates that to his student-athletes, to help them lead healthier lifestyles after basketball.

In 2001, Bari accepted an offer to become the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, Colorado.  Bari served as an assistant for one season under former Head Coach Paul Conrad after he announced his retirement.  During his time at CNCC, Bari’s skills in athletics were shown in the variety of positions he held.  Among his assignments at the school, Bari was the Athletic Director, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Head Volleyball Coach, and Head of the Physical Education.  He also held the positions of NJCAA Region XVIII Women's Assistant Executive Director and Scenic West Athletic Conference Basketball/Golf Chairperson.

After leaving Colorado, Bari joined the Lady Bengals Basketball program.  Bari's first season saw the Lady Bengals set a school record with 19 wins, the first winning season in school history.  LSU Eunice also won their first round district playoff game against Johnson County Community College 57-53.  The Lady Bengals fell short of an NJCAA Division II National Tournament bid with a loss to North Arkansas College 95-92.

On February 5^th, 2008, Bari coached in his 100^th win with the Lady Bengals after defeating Delgado Community College 81-69.  During his LSU Eunice career, Bari has won 65% of his games with the Lady Bengals.

In his time at LSU Eunice, Bari has not only tried to recruit great athletes, but also great students as well.  During his eight seasons, his student-athletes have continually posted high grade point averages.  In 2008-09, his team’s hard work was honored, being named a National Academic All-American team with a team GPA of 3.37

Bari is currently the host of the critically acclaimed radio show, The Michael Bari Show, on KEUN radio AM 1490.

About Coach Bari
Hometown:  Erie, Pennsylvania
Education:   West Virginia Wesleyan College B.S,
                      East Stroudsburg University M/Ed.
Family:  wife Kelle, sons Steven, Matthew

College Coaching Experience
East Stroudsburg University 1984-1986
Penn State University-Behrend College 1986-1990
Alderson Broadus College, 1990-1991
Gannon University, 1991-1995

Colorado Northwestern Community College, 2001-2003

Louisiana State University Eunice 2004-present