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Dillard University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Kiki Baker Barnes was recently selected as the 17th president of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference at the 2009 fall meetings, held on Dillard’s campus October 5-6, making her the first African-American woman to hold the position.
Nominated by Dillard Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Nazar Mustapha, Barnes was unanimously voted in by her peers during Tuesday’s general session. She replaces Steve Knight, head men’s basketball coach at William Carey College, who has served as GCAC president since 2001.
“I have enjoyed very much the past nine years while serving as the president of the GCAC,” says Knight. “I want to congratulate Kiki Barnes on her selection as the new GCAC president and I know she will bring a lot of passion and energy to this leadership position. Her leadership skills will help guide the league during this time of transition”
It was recently reported that Belhaven College, Loyola University-New Orleans, the University of Mobile, Spring Hill College and William Carey were leaving the GCAC to join the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), which also competes in the NAIA. Barnes says that now is a critical time in the history of the conference as it attempts to draw new members and build new rivalries, and she looks forward to the challenge.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by my peers and given their vote of confidence as we move forward in the GCAC,” says Barnes. “With the recent departure of five of our teams, we must respond quickly to ensure the future of the GCAC as a conference to be reckoned with.”
Entering her fourth year at the helm of the Bleu Devils athletic program, Barnes also serves as the head women's basketball coach. Since taking over athletics, she has established the university’s first comprehensive athletics website, overseen the addition of three sports – cross country, track and field, and women’s softball, led the department’s first marketing and branding campaign, and assisted with the creation of a new logo.
She is one of only two African Americans named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) newly formed National Administrative Council and a member of the Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA) professional organization.
Barnes was a standout basketball player and track athlete at the University of New Orleans, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications. She also played for and earned an associate’s degree from South Plains College. Barnes received her master’s from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from UNO.
The Minden, La., native is married to Marc Barnes, Sr. They have two children, Caitlin and Marc, Jr.
This article was originally published in the September 12, 2009 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper
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