Stephanie (Coro) Barlow, a Scituate High School basketball coach and a former standout player at Rhode Island College who went on to play professionally in Spain, recently put her unique skills to use for the benefit of Special Olympics Rhode Island (SORI). Beginning in the early afternoon on September 13 and continuing through noon the following day, Stephanie made 2,400 free throws, 100 shots per hour every single hour for 24 consecutive hours, and in the process she raised about $15,000 for this great cause.
Stephanie was inspired to help raise awareness and money for Special Olympics Rhode Island by ESPN’s Debbie Antonelli.
For those who aren’t familiar with Antonelli, she is a Naismith Memorial and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer and a men’s and women’s college basketball analyst for ESPN and CBS. She has put together a 35-year career as a television and radio analyst, including serving as a WNBA analyst since the league’s inception.
Antonelli is also a parent advocate and a national spokesperson for special education. She is a mother of three boys, including a son who is a young adult living with Down syndrome.
In 2019, Antonelli created an annual fundraiser called ‘24 Hours Nothing But Net’ (24HoursNBN.com), a 24-hour free throw shooting marathon in support of Special Olympics. In six years since Antonelli started 24 Hours Nothing But Net, she has raised more than $1 million, shooting free throws at a 94% average.
Stephanie is no slouch at the free-throw line either. In her four years at Rhode Island College, 2008-2012, Stephanie holds the highest career free-throw percentage in the history of the women’s basketball program, at .855. She also holds the school record for the highest season free-throw percentage with a .904 in 2009-2010.
The event took place in the backyard of Stephanie’s family’s home in North Providence, where there has been a basketball court since she was young. What made the event so much fun was that it involved the entire community, including live DJs volunteering their time, local restaurants donating food, businesses providing gifts for raffle baskets. There were yard games, a dunk tank, and other fun activities going on, as well. And Stephanie, always generous with the basketball, was not alone at the free-throw line. Others are allowed to take shots, and many friends, families, and members of the community did so, including some of the Lady Friars from the Providence College women’s basketball team, as well as some of the Friars on the PC basketball team, members of the North Providence Police, and some Special Olympics athletes.
“There were so many people who showed up and wanted to shoot free throws and be part of the event,” Stephanie says. “I am beyond grateful for everyone who came out to support this incredible cause. My goal is to involve the community in this event. I want everyone to be part of this because I want all of our athletes to see how much love and support they have from their community.”
Stephanie admits it was a challenge staying awake in the early morning hours, but this year she had plenty of help. And when a few Special Olympic athletes showed up just after dawn, it gave her the extra little push she needed. “The made me realize why I was doing this,” Stephanie says, “and I pushed through.”
Stephanie was first introduced to Special Olympics Rhode Island through a college internship, and she has been a staunch advocate ever since. This was actually the fifth year she’s hosted a fundraising free-throw marathon.
While Stephanie may be busy coaching three unified teams, the Scituate High School girl’s basketball team, the middle school’s basketball team, and this year the volleyball team, she will always make time for SORI, and she plans to organize a free-throw marathon next summer.
“I’m so thankful for the support I had personally,” Stephanie says. “While this was my event, it would not have been possible without the people around me, especially my parents, my siblings, and most of all, my husband, Doug, who was by my side every step of the way, helping in any way needed. I truly could not have done this without him.”
Although this year’s marathon event is over, the charitable work is a 24/7 endeavor, and Special Olympics Rhode Island accepts donations year-round. To donate, visit the Special Olympics website https://support.specialolympics.org/a/donate-in-your-state.
