Coach Barko enters his 26th season with the Falcons in 2022-23. A native of Dearborn, Mich., Bark is a 1970 graduate of Xavier University. He holds a master's degree from Loyola University and a postgraduate fellowship in community mental health.
With close to 30 years of active track & field coaching, Coach Barko brings a passion for student-athlete mentorship to his work with the Falcons' competitors. He works intentionally to teach each athlete to be a true student of their event and to develop a Christian perspective of sports and life.
Throughout out his coaching career, Coach Barko has been instrumental in starting numerous running and track and field groups across the country. In 1990 he was the founding coach of the Randolph Roadrunner Club in San Antonio, Texas. The club has produced over 2,500 athletes, multiple age group championships, NCAA All-Americans, and even two Olympians. Coach Barko also was the founding coach at Denbigh Baptist Christian School in Newport News, Va., and Bracken Christian School in Bulverde, Texas.
A former Texas AAU Vice President, he twice received national awards for coaching excellence and service.
During his time at Messiah, Coach Barko's dominant focus has been on sprints and hurdles. Along the way, he has coached three of Messiah University's track and field NCAA National Champions: Chris Boyles '02, Amy Reed '08, and Kristen Bates '11. A recent highlight for Coach Barko would be guiding hurdler Liz Martin to NCAA Division III All-American status.
In addition to his coaching career, Coach Barko served for 30 years in the U.S. Army, ascending to the rank of Colonel and specializing in behavioral sciences and medical research.
Coach Barko, who coached all three of his children in club and high school track, resides in nearby Carlisle, Pa., with wife Laura of 40 years.
Last updated: 12/06/22
