Mr. Ross Barber (‘06) came to the Hill and earned a degree in all-level Kinesiology. He is currently the Head Girls' Basketball Coach at Tyler Legacy High School (also his alma mater). While he is in his ninth year at Legacy, he has served 14 years overall as a head coach throughout an 18-year career in coaching and teaching. Over his career, these programs have accumulated a 318-126 record, won five district championships, and fifteen playoff games. Barber has sent numerous athletes to play college ball. Coach Barber has been selected District Coach of the Year five times, coached in nine All-Star games, and was most recently selected as the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 6-AAAAAA Outstanding Coach of the Year. He is the proud dad of two wonderful children, Mason and Madeline.
Read along to hear more of Coach Barber’s time at ETBU and the impact it made on his future career.
On my first visit, I loved the small Christian environment that the University provided. I originally came here to play basketball, and it was a very peaceful place to grow and learn. Over the years, I made many lifelong friends at ETBU!
Dr. Danny Essary and Dr. Will Walker ('03) were both very influential to me and the career path I chose. I had the opportunity to be a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon at ETBU, and remain in contact with some of the close friends I made through that service organization. Several other teachers on the Legacy Staff attended ETBU!
Looking back, what comes to mind are all of the memories! The sand volleyball games, the camping trips with friends out to the Lake O’ The Pines, and my spiritual growth!
I saw how positive relationships can bring out the best in people. The professors at ETBU build relationships with their students; you are not just a number to them, like at some other big universities. Seeing that, I wanted to apply that in how I teach and interact with my students.