Mike Barry

Mike Barry worked 35 years at Wayne State College, starting his tenure at WSC as women's basketball coach and ending with a vision as associate athletic director that saw Wildcat athletics complete the largest construction project in WSC history with the recent completion of the $30-million Wildcat Dome/Athletic and Recreation Complex project. Barry served as women's basketball coach at Wayne State for seven years from 1989-96 where he compiled a record of 96-91. His 1993-94 team was 22-5 and still holds the school record for points in a game averaging 82.4 points a contest. Barry then transitioned to director of the sport and recreation center and was later promoted to associate athletic director and served as interim athletic director several times while at WSC. Barry oversaw game management and facilities as associate athletic director and under his tenure Wayne State had a reputation in the Northern Sun Conference as being the most professional and organized venue in the league. He was instrumental in his last five-six years at WSC with plans that led to the Athletic and Recreation Complex. A native of Grant, Neb., Barry was a four-sport athlete at Chadron State where he was a three-time NAIA National Track Meet qualifier in the triple jump. He also lettered in basketball, football, and cross country. Barry earned his bachelor's degree from Chadron State in Physical Education in 1983 and obtained a master's degree in Secondary Education in 1988 also from Chadron State. While at WSC, Barry received the Lynette Lentz Professional Staff Recognition Award in 2015 and received a service and dedication award from the Northern Sun Conference upon his retirement in June 2025.