Gaels athletics have a new face for varsity sports.
Queens Athletics and Recreation announced on April 9 that Scott Barker has been named the new director of high performance. Barker’s role with the Gaels will involve overseeing all the varsity programs, assisting and guiding all personnel.
Before Queens, Barker spent 20 years within the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks athletic program. He spent his first 10 years as the manager of athletics and then another 10 years as the director of athletics for the Ridgebacks. Barker was a key member of building the Ridgebacks athletics program in the OUA.
In an interview with The Journal, Barker spoke more in-depth about his previous experience at Ontario Tech.
“I was really fortunate at Ontario Tech to be able to be a part of building the athletic department from the ground up,” Barker said. He endured a long process, including making applications to the OUA to establish their athletics program, which were ultimately accepted and allowed for athletic facilities to be built.
Barker’s role with Ontario Tech was not only to build the athletic department but also to foster a welcoming student-athlete experience.
“I spent a lot of time around coaches and players to make sure that the experience is what it is and should be.”
On the transition from Ontario Tech to Queens, Barker explained it has been “amazing” and added that, overall, he has enjoyed being involved in university sports.
“I’m a big proponent and a big believer in university sport and how that student athlete transitions from their time at Queens and into their career.”
Coming into his new role, Barker is hoping to continue the success that Queen’s varsity athletics has had in the previous seasons. “It’s hard to top last year with the number of championships and playoff births we had, but making sure we sustain and align our expectations.”
Queens varsity athletics continues to shine as one of the top athletic programs in the country with recent OUA championships in women’s rugby, men’s football, and men’s volleyball. All the while, every varsity made their respective playoffs last season.
Overall, Barker is excited about the opportunity to work in a community like Kingston and Queen’s and wants to continue to live up to the traditions and culture that have been established.
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Athletics, director of high performance, Gaels, Gaels Athletics
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