General 12/4/2025 12:00:00 AM

Hall of Fame Inductee: Bob Barton

On Oct. 11, Penn State Abington (formerly Penn State Ogontz) announced the inaugural class of its new Athletics Hall of Fame in conjunction with the 75^th anniversary of the university honoring 10 legendary inductees. The announcement was made at halftime of the men's soccer game at Memorial Field with Abington Chancellor Dr. Gary Liguori and Director of Athletics, Intramurals & Recreation Erin Foley. Click here for official announcement.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Philmont Country Club. Registration and cocktail hour begins at 2 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 3 p.m. The event is open to the public. Ticket sales will end on Jan. 1, 2026. To purchase tickets, click here.

We'll be featuring each inductee leading up to the induction ceremony in January. Today, we highlight the career of Bob Barton who began his Penn State Ogontz/Abington career as a student-athlete in 1966.

Our next Hall of Fame feature highlights the career of Bob Barton, who served as the university's second Director of Athletics from 1987-2006. Barton also coached four varsity sports over a span of 31 years that included 51 seasons through the fall and spring seasons and 'proudly' coached over 460 student-athletes.

Barton started his Penn State journey in 1966 as a student-athlete. He played for the men's basketball team in 1966 and from 1971-1973. After graduation, Barton was hired as Supervisor of Athletic and Recreational Operations in 1974 and held that position until 1982 when he became an instructor of Physical Education/Kinesiology (1982-2008). Barton was named the Athletic Director in 1986 following the retirement of fellow Hall of Fame inductee and dear friend, Dr. Wesley A. Olsen.

"I'm honored to be inducted [into the Hall of Fame] with Wes Olsen, my coach, friend and mentor for 34 years," said Barton. "I'm happy to be inducted along with my friends, Dick Wiseman, Pat Clayton, Jim McGettigan, Deb (Castor) Andress and Al Miles."

On top of leading a department, Barton also coached several sports during his tenure. He was the head baseball coach from 1977-1986 and the head softball coach in 1987. In 1986, Barton took over as the men's basketball coach until 1990 and then resumed duties with the program from 1991 to 1997. In addition, Barton coached the men's tennis team from 1989-1991 and finally Team Tennis from 1991-2008.

Barton amassed over 325 combined victories among the four sports he coached along with Coach of the Year accolades in each one. His team's also hoisted championship trophies at the end of their seasons with softball winning the PCAA and EPCC championships in 1987. Men's basketball won CCAC championships in 1988 and 1993, while Team Tennis won CCAC titles in 1991, 1993, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007. Team Tennis also won the 1993 EPCC championship.

In addition, Barton received individual accolades including being the recipient of the Penn State Ogontz Chief Ogontz Award in 1985 and 1995 and the Robert J. Scannel Roll-of-Honor award recipient in 2006. The Scannel Roll-of-Honor award recognizes an administrator, faculty, staff member or coach who has served campus athletic, intramurals and recreational programs with distinction.

Through all the accomplishments, championships and honors the greatest memory for Barton is family. He met his wife, Ellen (Mac) while a student at Ogontz in 1971 and all four of his children attended Penn State Abington.

"One of most memorable moments was being able to present Penn State diplomas to my children Neal ('96), Tim ('98), Sara ('01) and Anne ('06) at Penn State Abington commencements," Barton said.

In spring of 2025, Penn State Abington created the Bob Barton Scholarship to pay tribute to his enduring legacy at Abington. During his career, Barton was instrumental in providing and expanding opportunities for student-athletes.

Tickets for the inaugural Penn State Abington/Ogontz Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony are currently on sale. The Hall of Fame event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Philmont Country Club. The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of 10 individuals who laid the foundation of Penn State Abington/Ogontz athletics. Registration and cocktail hour begins at 2 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 3 p.m. The event is open to the public. Ticket sales will end on Jan. 1, 2026. To purchase tickets, click here.

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