David C. Adkins was born in Greenville, N.C., to W. David Adkins and Vera Baker Adkins. He was educated in Kinston, graduating from Grainger High School in 1957 where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He played on the Grainger State 2A Championship team in football in 1955 and the championship basketball team in 1956.

Adkins attended Barton from 1960-1964, where he was named Who’s Who in America’s Universities and Colleges in 1964. He received his masters from the University of North Carolina in Physical Education in 1965. He served as an Instructor and Assistant Professor and Director of Intramurals at North Carolina State University from 1965 to 1972. He was the Freshman Soccer Coach in 1970-71.

He returned to Barton in 1972 as Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Soccer Coach (program founder) and Director of Athletics. In 1978 he coached the CIAC Championship team and in 1979 the District 26 Championship team. His record at Barton from 1972-1979 was 58-48-8. He was named CIAC Soccer Coach of the Year in 1976, 1978 and 1979. He was the NAIA District 29 Chairman in 1973 and a member of the NAIA District 29 Executive Committee from 1974-1978.

In 1980 he entered private business as an agent and registered representative with New York Life Insurance. He is married to the former Susan B. Rush. They have four children, Kim, Amy, Greg and Callie.