“There have been too many to list in a 27-year career,” said Todd Wilkinson, current Barton College Director of Athletics and former Head Baseball Coach.

Fair enough.  That’s the response you might get from a long-time Barton employee when asked what moments stand out in your career at the Wilson, N.C., school.

Wilkinson offers a unique perspective, seeing Barton through the lens of both a head coach and an administrator.  “As a head coach and athletic director, we are one team.  We have the same goals in mind and work hard to achieve successful outcomes.  We are a blue collar, no entitlement, no excuses athletic department that has high expectations and a strong commitment to succeed at our mission of developing young leaders of distinction.”

Wilkinson came to Barton (then-Atlantic Christian) in 1988 to take over the helm of the baseball program after spending three years as an Assistant Baseball Coach at the University of North Carolina.

Wilkinson was the Bulldogs’ mentor for two stints – 1988-95 and 2000-11 – and compiled the most wins in program history (496) and won three Conference Carolinas regular season (1993, 1995 and 2006) and Tournament (1993, 1995 and 2002) titles.

Wilkinson, who also served as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Sports Studies at Barton, moved into athletic administration after leaving the coaching ranks.

Wilkinson was an Assistant Athletic Director and Compliance Coordinator before his promotion to Athletics Director in January of 2015.

Under Wilkinson’s direction, Barton has added six sports (men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s lacrosse, football and Cheer, Dance and STUNT), a state-of-art sports performance center and a synthetic turf playing field (Electric Supply Company Field).

One of the personal crown jewels for Wilkinson as Athletics Director was the establishment of the Student-Athlete Leadership Academy in conjunction with the Janssen Leadership Center, the first NCAA Division II program in the country to establish the partnership.

Wilkinson believes his induction is about giving back to the college at-large.  “It means I was able to contribute to the history of athletic excellence at Barton College.  To be included in this elite group of individuals is truly a feeling of satisfaction that the dedication and work contributed the last 27 years was important to the history of the college.”

Wilkinson was a three-sport star out of Plattsburg (N.Y.) High School before lettering four years at North Carolina as a catcher and outfielder for the Tar Heels.  A standout player, Wilkinson earned First-Team All-ACC honors and ACC Tournament MVP accolades and was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1984.  Wilkinson also led UNC to three straight ACC Tournament Championships and NCAA Division I Playoff appearances (1982-84).

Wilkinson also served three years as an Assistant Coach at UNC Wilmington (1995-97) and two years as Assistant Director of the North Carolina Baseball Academy in Greensboro, N.C., before returning to Barton.

Wilkinson explains his tenure at Barton as such.  “Barton is a special place because of the people who work at the college and the Wilson community.  The friendships and relationships that my family have made in Wilson will be long lasting.”

“I have always admired the ability of Barton to take so many students that were not the finished product coming in the door and opening opportunities that they may never have achieved without the guidance of a faculty and staff that cared deeply,” added Wilkinson.

Wilkinson and his wife, Lindsey, are the proud parents of one daughter, Katie, a 2015 graduate of Barton.

“After reflecting, I had a very satisfied feeling of pride to accept the recognition on behalf of so many others that have contributed to my career at Barton,” said Wilkinson.  “My wife, daughter and other family members have supported me unconditionally.  I could not help to think about Dr. James Hemby (former ACC/Barton President) who gave me the opportunity to work at Barton twice and his support of me and my family when he led the college  I am appreciative of Dr. Norval Kneten having the confidence in me to lead the department of athletics and the support of Dr. Searcy in this role.”

“My reaction reflected on Gary Hall (former Barton AD and Head Men’s Soccer Coach), who has been so supportive.  My recognition as a Hall of Fame inductee is a byproduct of his work as a leader of the athletic department.”