John Hackney’s connection to the school goes back to First Baptist Church in Wilson, N.C. 

Former Barton Director of Athletics Gary Hall and his wife, Jean, were in a Sunday School class Hackney taught and Hall invited him to become a part-time Sports Information Director at the school.

Hackney began working at Barton in August of 1996 and eventually served the institution for 17 years.  Hackney added the Head Coaching Titles for Men’s Golf (1997-2013), Men’s and Women’s Cross Country (1997-99) and Women’s Golf (2010-13) in addition to his duties as Sports Information Director.  Hackney was the first-ever coach for the latter three programs.

The first year stood out for Hackney.  “The first year, I worked about 60 hours a week at The Wilson Times and 30 hours at Barton.  My family – wife, June and son, Jacob – didn’t see much of me, but I hoped my hard work would lead to a career in college athletics, which it did.”  The rest is history.

Hackney’s accomplishments as mentor for the Bulldogs’ men’s golf program speak for themselves.  Over 17 years, Hackney guided Barton to 14 consecutive NCAA Division II postseason appearances (2000-13) including four trips to the national championship tournament.  Hackney’s teams posted a phenomenal 341-82-6 (.806) mark in head-to-head competition over his final three years with Barton.

Barton’s best seasons came in 2003 and 2011, when the Bulldogs finished fifth in the national finals both years.  Hackney coached 11 All-Americans and 11 Scholar All-Americans in addition to three conference men’s golfers of the year.

Hackney was also named the league coach of the year five times and regional coach of the year on three occasions as Bulldogs’ mentor. 

Hackney served as the conference golf chair for 13 straight years and served annually on the Division II Coaches Congress and GCAA national voting body as well.

From the SID standpoint, Hackney says the 2005-06 and 2006-07 Barton men’s basketball seasons are what stand out for him.

“The highlight was definitely those two basketball seasons, including doing the radio color commentary along Wilson (N.C.) legend Alton Britt when the Bulldogs made their miraculous last-minute comeback to seize the 2007 NCAA Division II National Championship,” said Hackney.

“The sea of fans who greeted the team bus the next day outside The Dog House is a scene none of us will ever forget.  This incredible run to the title meant even more to me since I had known Anthony Atkinson since he was a toddler and because Head Coach Ron Lievense and Assistant Joel Zimmerman are treasured friends,” added Hackney.

After Barton, Hackney served as Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach at California Baptist University (2013-16) and Head Men’s Golf Coach at Wingate (2017-20) and currently serves as Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach at Coker University in Hartsville, S.C.

Hackney helped usher in the Division II era at California Baptist with both teams having tremendous success.  The men’s program finished fifth in the country in 2016 while women’s team was especially dominant, leading CBU to a top five ranking nationally all three years including a No. 1 ranking in the Fall of 2015.

“My fondest memories of my 17 years at Barton revolve around the relationships with my colleagues and the student-athletes,” said Hackney. 

From a coaching standpoint, Hackney remembers a quote from former A.C.C./Barton Head Tennis Coach Tom Parham:  ‘When it’s all said and done (with your college career), it’s not about the wins and losses, it’s about the trips on the van.’

Hackney, a native of Chapel Hill, N.C., graduated from the University of North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1984.