Thomas McCaskill starred as a shortstop and second baseman on the Barton baseball team and was a tailback and safety on the football team. He finished his college career with a batting average better than .300 and played one season of semi-professional ball with Roanoke Rapids of the Coastal Plain League before embarking on a career that involved developing Little League programs in Pitt County and helping D.H. Conley High School build its current athletic facility.

On campus during his heyday, McCaskill was president of the Class of 1950. He fondly recalls battling with school authorities until they consented to allow dancing here for the first time. He and student body secretary Lib Coor (’51) stood watch outside a board of trustees meeting one day awaiting a chance to make their plea. They did, and school officials ultimately allowed them to hold a dance on a probationary basis.

McCaskill was so talented that both Duke and former Atlantic Christian College offered him athletic grants. He was an immediate sensation for the Bulldogs, batting .370 his freshman season and earning All-North State Conference honors. He was moved to second base for his final three seasons.

McCaskill’s football career at Barton was a different story, but as he noted, “We were starting from scratch (first team since 1929), so our record was very bad.” He missed his junior year because he contracted malaria.

He is perhaps most proud of his academic accomplishments, which included a double major in social science and physical education.

McCaskill, who is married to Margaret Lou Hemby, taught school, tended the family farm, then went into the insurance business, which allowed him to become an ardent contributor to athletic programs in Pitt County.