Barnes Named Forsyth Tech Athletic Director

Shelly Barnes, a Randolph County native and former student-athlete at High Point University, was introduced as the first Director of Athletics at Forsyth Technical Community College by President Janet Spriggs on March 12, 2024. Dr. Spriggs said the introduction of athletics "marks a new era for our institution." 

Barnes served the last 12 years as the Director of Student Success at Lenoir Community College where she was over athletics, the student government association, physical education/health program chair and instructor, and volleyball coach.  During part of her time at Lenoir CC, she also served as the NJCAA Region 10 Women's Assistant Director and on the NJCAA Women's Soccer Committee for Region 10.

Since March, Barnes was instrumental in showing the need for an athletic rebrand, the hiring of head coaches for both women's court volleyball and men's basketball, and an Esports Coordinator.

In her new role, Barnes will provide oversight of the building of the athletic program, guidance in the renovations of current facilities, fundraising, and securing athletic teams for their inaugural seasons in the fall of 2025.

"Building an athletic program from scratch is exciting and intense, and I am thrilled to see what we can do at Forsyth Tech. This community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and I believe we have the tools to grow a competitive sports program. Our aim is to recruit student athletes who are not only skilled in their sport, but also committed to excellence in the classroom. I am thankful to have the support of Dr. Spriggs and the Forsyth Tech community and will strive to make this an extraordinary program."

Prior to working in the NC Community College system, Barnes served as a Health/Physical Education teacher and coach in Richmond and Scotland Counties.  In that time, Barnes coached volleyball, track and field, and soccer, had multiple coach of the year honors, and helped send many student-athletes on to compete after high school.

Barnes holds a master's degree in Health Education from East Carolina University, and a bachelor's of science degree in Sports Medicine from High Point University. She was a 1990 graduate of Randleman High School, been inducted into their Hall of Fame, was a State Champion in multiple track and field events, and received multiple awards in volleyball, basketball and track.

Barnes currently lives in Sophia, N.C. with her husband David Barnes. Her husband David is a retired educator/coach, former NJCAA and NCAA volleyball coach, high school volleyball, baseball and football coach, multiple coach of the year honors, and was a former collegiate baseball player at High Point University.