New Abington scholarship honors ex-coach who ‘changed lives through sport’

ABINGTON, Pa. — When Erin Foley reflects on her days as a Penn State Abington student-athlete, her core memories revolve around Bob Barton. Measuring the now-retired athletic director's impact on thousands of students is tough, but Foley summed it up neatly: “Bob changed lives through sport. He was a true teacher-coach.” 

Foley returned to Abington four years ago to serve as the director of athletics, recreation and intramurals, and she proudly carries on the legacy Barton established over a nearly 40-year career.  

“When I was a student-athlete, I saw people like Bob who embodied a true caring spirit. He recognized the value of athletics,” she said.  

Foley’s enduring respect for Barton and his legacy is shared by many former Abington student-athletes, one of whom recently made a gift to establish the Bob Barton Scholarship at Penn State Abington, which supports outstanding full-time undergraduates.  

“Bob is a symbol of Abington athletics, and the friendships, education, and opportunities that athletics afforded me. I wanted to thank him by funding this scholarship," the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said.  

Abington Chancellor Gary Liguori said naming an endowed scholarship in Barton’s honor is a powerful way to pay tribute to his enduring legacy at Abington.

“This scholarship will help students persist toward completing their degrees and have a lasting effect on them for years to come. I am grateful for our donor's generosity, which supports us in fulfilling our land-grant mission to make higher education accessible and attainable to students from all backgrounds," he said.

Even before Abington joined the NCAA Division III a decade ago, Barton was instrumental in providing and expanding opportunities for student-athletes.

He first arrived on campus as a student in the late 1960s, served in the Army, and when he returned he was hired as athletic and recreation supervisor. He served at various times as coach, athletic director, intramural coordinator, instructor and unofficial mentor until he retired in 2012.

“When I was an Abington student, kids that came from the area didn’t always have a lot of places to play. Bob, the coaches, and everyone in athletics gave us opportunities to play at a competitive level,” Foley said.  

She graduated from Penn State in 2000, and - like Barton - served in a variety of roles in collegiate sports administration. She now — like Barton — leads Abington student-athletes to pursue excellence in the classroom and on the fields, courts, and tracks. 

“Bob made me think about life in a different way. He taught us about hard work, determination, and resilience, which are skills that we would need to be successful in our classes and in our professional and personal lives,” Foley said.  

“When I became an athletic trainer after college, I did it because I wanted to give back and work with students. Bob Barton’s Abington is the place where it all started for me,” she said.  

Gifts like the Bob Barton Scholarship at Penn State Abington advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu. 

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 26 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.