Hall of Fame
His commitment to the development of a student’s spirit, mind and body was a mission that Coach Barnhart shared with Findlay College. He came to Findlay after serving as head coach at the Alta Social Settlement of Cleveland and as athletic director at Ashland High School. While in Cleveland his teams won six city championships in football, basketball and baseball in two years. Through his influence and efforts in Ashland, the North Central Ohio High School Conference was formed. At Findlay College, Coach Barnhart served as athletic director for five years and was head coach in football, basketball, wrestling, boxing, hockey and rifle teams. He firmly believed in the importance of a strong athletic program, while also maintaining a clear balance with the college’s academic goals. In the 1932 edition of the Argus, Coach Barnhart clearly stated his philosophy on the value of sports; “We will leave no stone unturned to helping those we come in contact with to become themselves the most perfect development of manhood – an athlete, a scholar and a Christian gentleman.”
