Pitt's Bailey takes over Barton's softball program

By Benny Benton
Published in Sports on June 19, 2016 1:47 AM

• Print
• Email

Barton Media Relations Director

WILSON -- William "Junior" Bailey, head softball coach and athletics director at Pitt Community College for the past 10 years, will take over the Barton College fast-pitch program.

School officials announced the decision Friday.

Bailey's teams won nearly 70 percent of their games during his decade with PCC, compiling a combined record of 316-147 (.683 winning percentage). He took three teams to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I College World Series.

The Bulldogs won three Region X championships, also.

A three-time Region X coach-of-the-year, Bailey had eight players earn NJCAA national player-of-the-week accolades. His players also performed well in the classroom and posted a team grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher during his tenure in the dugout.

As PCC's athletics director, Bailey provided oversight to the department and the school's four sports -- baseball, basketball, softball and volleyball -- as well as leadership to more than 20 personnel members and 100 student-athletes.

"It was clear as the search committee researched Coach Bailey that he was the perfect hire, at the perfect time, for Barton College softball," said Todd Wilkinson, Barton's director of athletics. "He meets all the primary attributes on the hiring checklist: winning background; promotes student-athlete academic excellence; leader in his community; and passion to work on and be engaged with the Barton campus.

"Additionally, his familiarity with recruiting eastern North Carolina will be valuable as he builds a program of success. His infectious personality of positive energy, passion for success, and work ethic will provide the Bulldog softball student-athletes a great role model and mentor that will challenge them to do their very best each day.

"I am excited for the softball student-athletes, Barton campus community and greater Wilson community that Junior Bailey is a Barton College Bulldog!"

Bailey logged 101 victories on the high school coaching scene and 75 in middle-school play before moving to PCC.

He takes over a Barton program that finished 21-26 overall and 9-13 against Conference Carolinas opposition last season. The Bulldogs advanced to the eight-team league tournament and went 0-2 after suffering one-run losses to the Nos. 1 and 3 seeds.

"I am just excited to be taking on this opportunity to grow the Bulldog softball program," said Bailey, who earned a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science from East Carolina University.

"There is so much potential here to be a winning program. When I walked on campus, I had a great feel in meeting all of the people here, but what I was really impressed with was the athletes that I was able to meet with. There is a great core of softball players that are ready to hit the ground and be a part of building something they can be proud of. I feel that there is strong support within and outside of the athletic department.

"I definitely will miss the people and players that I have had the privilege to coach and that have coached me in so many ways at Pitt Community College."

Bailey officially becomes head coach July 1.