Flagler College to hold Saturday farewell ceremony for long-time baseball coach Dave Barnett

If you’re planning to watch Saturday’s Flagler College baseball game against Augusta University, make sure to show up plenty early.

Flagler College will honor retiring head baseball coach Dave Barnett at 1:15 p.m. prior to their game at Drysdale Field. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Among those in attendance will be alumni that Barnett coached during his nearly four decades there.

Barnett, 66, has been Flagler’s head baseball coach for 37 years, racking up a record of more than 1,000 wins.

“That's nice of (Flagler College athletic director) Jud Damon and the administration to do that. It's a nice farewell gesture,” Bernett said. “It's been fun for me just to be able to coach at Flagler College for 37 years. It’s been a blessing. It'll be very nice sendoff.”

Throughout the season, Barnett has been able to reflect on the successful career that he has had. It all started as a youngster with a love of baseball. He has been wearing a uniform since he was 8 years old.

He began coaching 44 years ago, coming to Flagler College in 1988.

“I won't be wearing a baseball uniform anymore unless I go coach somewhere else, but I don't think so,” he said. “I think I'll hang up my uniform for good.”

Assistant director of athletics for Sports Communications at Flagler College, John Jordan, is looking forward to honoring Barnett.

“Coach Barnett has meant a lot to this program and the department as well,” Jordan said. “He is one of the few baseball coaches out there with over 1,000 wins. He led the department, as an AD, during its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II and the Peach Belt Conference. To me personally, he was the person who hired me back in 2005. He's been a good friend and a confidant.”