Alva Review-Courier -

Northwestern Oklahoma State Athletics is naming the basketball court inside Percefull Fieldhouse after two historic coaches in Ranger history. The court will be named Barton/Battisti Court in honor of the two former coaches Milburn Barton (women's basketball) and Bob Battisti (men's basketball).

"When you think of Ranger Basketball, Milburn Barton and Bob Battisti, are at the top of the list. They are both great coaches! As a former student-athlete, I got to see first hand the success that both of these coaches had and it was fun to watch. They had great players who also loved this university and championships followed. They will always be members of the Ranger family and I am more than excited to honor them in this way," said Dr. Bo Hannaford, president of Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Milburn Barton

Barton, considered a "Dean" of Oklahoma women's basketball, has compiled more wins than any other coach in Ranger basketball history. In his 27-year head coaching career at Northwestern, from 1978-1998, 2004-2010, Barton led the Lady Rangers to a 414 wins. During his tenure at Northwestern, he produced two Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference titles, three NAIA National Tournament appearances and four NAIA All-Americans. Barton owns the record for the best Lady Ranger basketball season when his No. 1 ranked 1980-81 squad went 24-2 and claimed the State Championship.

"I feel very humbled and honored to receive this honor. I am thankful Dr. Joe Struckle, former Northwestern president, and Cecil Perkins. former athletic director, gave me the chance to come to Northwestern and lead the Lady Rangers basketball program. I want to say thank you to my wife JoDonna and my family, Dr. Randy Smith, former athletic director who provided me great leadership and Dr. Yvonne Carmichael who supported so well," stated Barton.

Barton also defeated NCAA Division I powerhouses Wichita State, Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts during that season. He was named the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference Women's Coach of the Year two times. In 2000, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

"I was very lucky to have outstanding young ladies and players who helped us achieve so much success. I want to thank President Hannaford, and it is an extra honor to share it with one of my closest friends Bob Battisti," said Barton. "I will always appreciate the great fan support of Alva and Northwest Oklahoma."

After receiving his bachelor's degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1970, Barton coached boys and girls basketball and was the principal of Ames High School for seven years. In 1977 he began his coaching career at Northwestern as an assistant coach for the Ranger Men's basketball team. A year later, Barton earned his master's in education from Northwestern and was selected to head the women's basketball program.

After retiring from coaching, Barton was at Northwestern as the director of athletics. Under his direction, Northwestern athletics experienced the school's first national championship, expanded the athletics program to include six additional sports and gained membership in the Sooner Athletic Conference and the Central States Football League.

NWOSU Athletic Director Brad Franz said, "The lasting legacy that both Coach Barton and Coach Battisti left on the basketball programs and the university speaks for itself. They truly embody the great things that Northwestern and its athletic programs are all about in helping students be successful in school and in life. Their records will probably never be broken and to do it all at Percefull Fieldhouse is phenomenal. I had the privilege to work with both of them and it means a lot to me. They are truly great Rangers."

Bob Battisti

Battisti is one of the most decorated individuals inducted in the Northwestern Oklahoma State athletics Hall of Fame. Battisti wore multiple different hats in his duration with the Red-and-Black dating back to 1986.

The former Ranger head coach first took over the basketball program back in 1986 when Northwestern hired him. This would start a 21 year coaching tenure leading the Rangers. Battisti's teams were known for their aggressiveness, hard-work and tenacious defense. Through the 21 years with the Rangers he accumulated 374 wins and amassed 469 total collegiate wins in his career.

Under Battisti from 1988-1996, the basketball program finished first or second in the Oklahoma intercollegiate conference. During this nine year run it included four outright OIC titles and five runner-up finishes for the Rangers.

Those 374 Northwestern wins included being ranked in the NAIA top-25 seven times and six different conference titles. His personal accolades include five conference Coach of the Year awards before being named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1994. One tournament team went to the quarterfinals along with the 1992-93 team entering the national tournament ranked second in the nation. Stepping down as Northwestern's head coach after 21 years was only the end of one chapter as Battisti took over as athletic director for four years before retiring.

His next four years he continued to spend with the Ranger family as he took over as the university's athletic director. After he finished his time as the Northwestern AD he completed 25 years of service here in Alva. Battisti continued to coach college basketball as an assistant at Oklahoma Christian, Mid-American Nazarene, The University of Central Oklahoma and as Head Coach at Southwestern.

As the athletic director he started the transition of Northwestern's athletic department from NAIA to NCAA Division II where Northwestern continues to sit to date. He was also the founder of the "Vision to Victory" program that raised $2.4 million in fundraising money to help with facility improvements.

Battisti said, "To grasp the full significance of this honor is breathtaking. It was a true privilege to touch paths with so many people who lifted the basketball program and myself up. I am grateful for all the players, the soul of the earth people I worked with at NWOSU, the Alums, and the Alva community. To be recognized with my dear friend Milburn Barton makes this more meaningful. I am truly humbled. Thank you to President Hannaford and athletic director Brad Franz for this special honor."

The court ceremony will take place before the Rangers' doubleheader against Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday, Dec. 2.