Barbara Kelly, a pioneer in the advancement of women’s athletics, passed away this week in her hometown of Garner, North Carolina. Kelly became Virginia’s first full-time female athletic staff member in 1971 when she was appointed assistant director of intramurals and physical education. One of the driving forces behind the development of a national class women’s athletic program at Virginia, she spent 38 years as a member of the Virginia athletics department staff, retiring in 2009.