Introducing the Class of 2026 Beyond Basketball

 

The Berenson Trophy is given to each inductee, named after founder of women’s basketball Senda Berenson. The Beyond the Berenson series is designed to tell the stories of the members of the Class of 2026 outside of their extraordinary basketball accomplishments. The Class of 2026 features some of the greatest players, coaches, and contributors that women’s basketball has ever seen. Posthumous Barbara Kennedy-Dixon is one of them. 

 

Barbara Kennedy Dixon and Marvin Dixon: Love Without Bounds

 

“Love at first sight,” Marvin Dixon recalls when asked about first meeting his wife, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon. Like a classic love story, they were at rival high schools in Rome, Georgia. Marvin went to West Rome, while Barbara attended East Rome. 

 

From the moment they met, Barbara’s unwavering care for others was apparent. 

 

“We can say we love someone, but if it’s not seen, it makes a difference. Barbara, she really exhibits love and shows love to our family,” Marvin Dixon remembers. “The love that she had for everybody is just it’s like a magnetic force. It just draws everybody to her.”

 

That magnetic force certainly drew Marvin and Barbara together, and the couple got married in 1989, celebrating their love for one another. 

Marvin remembers Barbara’s humility, despite her remarkable basketball accolades. “She very seldom would talk about her career and what she’s done,” Dixon recalls. Still, her success on the court should not be forgotten. In fact, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon is one of eight players in NCAA history to score more than 3,000 points and record 1,000 rebounds in a collegiate career. 

 

Marvin also points to the special significance of that achievement. 

 

“When she was playing, everybody don’t realize that the 3,000 points or more that she scored there was before the three point shot,” he says. “Most of the people that have their scores now are three pointers. Barbara played all hers is two points. So that’s a lot of buckets.”

 

Barbara adored Clemson and her community, so she returned to her alma mater as a coach and later as an administrator. 

 

Her selflessness made her a natural in every role she held, and her impact extended far beyond the women’s basketball program. 

 

“She was able to impact younger people and be a a role model for them,” Marvin reflects. “Not just the females, the men athletes. She mentored a lot of them and everything, so they were very grateful for her. She did a lot for the university, not just females.” 

 

Barbara’s selfless love for others extended to her family, friends, and local community. Marvin noted that her Barbara’s character never wavered, even when battling cancer. 

 

“There’s times when she was even ill, she would visit the sick, take food, and just try to help out when she could when she was really struggling herself.”

 

The selflessness and determination Barbara displayed came out of overflow of her faith. 

 

“Her ability to just keep moving forwards, never move backwards, just always have that good attitude. She was very spiritual and believed in God. and you know, when we position ourselves in a way where God can do what he wants to do for us, it makes life easier,” Marvin shares. 

Barbara’s ability to love others, even when battling cancer and enduring struggles herself, demonstrates the kind of woman she was and the legacy she leaves behind. 

 

“You guys are really missing out on a wonderful individual.”

 

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel. 

Written by Jadyn Zdanavage