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University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Associate Athletic Director for External Operations (Sport Supervisor: Baseball)
- Email:
- Phone:
- 251-6907
Barton was named to the FCS ADA/DI-AAA Fellows Program in October 2024.
Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone announced that Leigh Barton has been named Asheville’s Associate Athletic Director for External Operations on July 12, 2024.
“I'm very excited to have Leigh Barton join our staff," said Cone. "The experience, passion, and leadership she brings to this department will continue to allow us to build on the strong foundation we have set in place. I look forward to having her in the department and the new levels of success she will help us reach.”
Barton comes to Asheville after serving as the Associate Athletics Director for External Operations at Georgia State University. She started at GSU in 2016 as the Assistant Athletic Director for Development. She was promoted to Associate AD for Development in 2018 and transitioned to overseeing all External Operations in January 2023.
At GSU, Barton oversaw all external areas, including ticketing, marketing, corporate sales, communications, creative services, and broadcasting. She also serves as the cheerleading and spirit squad's administrator and is the marching band's athletics liaison. In her Associate AD for Development role, she oversaw the athletics department's day-to-day administration and fundraising efforts. Barton also assisted in the transition of the football team’s move to the Atlanta Braves’ former stadium, Turner Field, as the team’s new home stadium in 2017.
Before arriving at GSU, Barton was part of the athletics department at Appalachian State. She started as a student-athlete and transitioned into athletics administration in 2011 as a Development Officer, and was promoted to Assistant Athletics Director in 2013.
Barton was a member of the women’s soccer program at App State from 2006-2009 and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from App State in 2010, and received a Master’s Degree in Sport Administration from Ohio University in 2015.
“I want to thank Janet Cone and the search committee for the opportunity to serve Asheville Athletics in this role,” said Barton. “I look forward to working with the department and our Bulldog friends and supporters to continue enhancing the student-athlete experience and growing our presence in the Asheville community.”
