Pitt Athletic Director Scott Barnes Bolts for Oregon State

Chris Rossetti

Chris Rossetti

Published December 23, 2016 5:18 am
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CORVALLIS, Ore. (EYT) — Scott Barnes didn’t last two years as Pitt’s athletic director.

(Photo of Barnes (left) during the introductory media conference for men’s basketball coach Kevin Stallings last spring. Photo courtesy of Pitt Athletics)

Barnes, who took over as the Panthers AD in the Spring of 2015, left the school to take the same position at Oregon State Thursday.

“I am very excited to join Beaver Nation and am ready to hit the ground running and build upon the success of OSU Athletics,” Barnes said in a press released put out by Oregon State. “I guarantee that we will contribute to advancing the mission of this university. We will deliver the highest level of achievement on the playing field and for all student-athletes in the classroom, in the community and in their lives and careers.

“Everything that we will do will be defined by excellence. Success will be measured in wins, championships and by providing the best student-athlete experience possible.”

In a statement, Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said a national search will be conducted to replace Barnes.

“Scott Barnes is an outstanding athletic director and has been wholeheartedly committed to the success of our student-athletes during his time at Pitt,” Gallagher said. “I am very sorry to see him leave, but I know that Scott is doing what is best for his family, and I wish them well as he takes on his new role at Oregon State.

“My focus now turns to building the next chapter in Pitt Athletics. We are launching a national search to identify the next great leader of our athletics program—one that helps offer student-athletes both a great education and a chance to win at the highest levels of collegiate sports.”

Going to Oregon State returns Barnes to the western part of the country where he has spent most of his professional life.

Prior to going to Pitt, Barnes was the athletic director at Utah State for seven years and before that he served nearly three years at the University of Washington as the senior associate athletic director for advancement. He was also the athletic director at Eastern Washington from 1999 to 2005 and is a native of Spokane, Wash., and a graduate of Fresno State University.

“I chose Scott Barnes because he is the perfect fit for Oregon State University,” Oregon State President Ed Ray said. “He will guide OSU Athletics to compete and win championships the right way – the Oregon State way.

Scott is a proven leader and a champion with a long track record of success. He will lead the immediate and long-term achievement for all OSU sports programs and contribute greatly to the passion of everyone within Beaver Nation. He understands that at Oregon State University, good is not good enough. OSU and its student-athletes will be champions in all aspects of athletics, as students and in the community.”

“I look forward to working with Scott as we build the next generation of remarkable success within Oregon State Athletics.”

In his short time at Pitt, Barnes hired Kevin Stallings as the men’s basketball coach while also overseeing a football program that beat a pair of teams that finished in the Top Five in the Football Playoffs Rankings and is playing in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in New York City next week. He also oversaw a women’s volleyball program that qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004.

“Upon accepting the athletic director position at the University of Pittsburgh more than 18 months ago, I mentioned how honored and humbled my family was to join the ‘Pitt Family,’” Barnes said. “During our time here, we’ve learned, more and more, how fitting that description really is. Pitt is an incredibly special place with wonderful people who have become like family for us.

“That’s why leaving the university to accept the athletic director position at Oregon State was such a difficult decision. Ultimately, we felt this was a choice we had to make based on some very important personal family considerations.

“The University of Pittsburgh is a world-class institution with tremendous history. But I sincerely believe the university’s future under the leadership of Chancellor Gallagher will be even more accomplished. I also know that Pitt Athletics is poised for great achievements and championships. It has been an honor to serve Pitt’s student-athletes and staff. Although we are moving on, I can assure you the people of Pitt will always be an important part of us.”

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