University of Connecticut Athletics
Former UConn Assistant Coach Fred Barakat Passes Away
6/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 22, 2010
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Retired Atlantic Coast Conference associate commissioner and former UConn men's assistant basketball coach Fred Barakat died Monday. He was 71.
Barakat, a 1961 graduate of Assumption College, joined the ACC in 1981 as the coordinator of basketball officials and held numerous duties, including manager of the men's basketball tournament. He retired in 2007 as associate commissioner of men's basketball operations.
Barakat was an assistant coach for head coach Dee Rowe during the 1969-70 season as the Huskies went 14-9 and won the Yankee Conference championship.
He spent 11 years as head coach at Fairfield before joining the ACC, compiling a 160-128 record and leading the Stags to three National Invitation Tournaments.
"The ACC lost a tremendous friend in Fred Barakat, and all of us are deeply saddened by this news," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "Fred served college athletics well throughout his career and was a significant and impactful influence especially within the basketball community. His zest for life and his contributions were evident not only in the ACC, but across the country. He'll be greatly missed as both a personal friend and respected colleague and our thoughts and prayers go out to Florence and his entire family."
