Samford Hall of Fame Members
Biography
RETURN TO SAHOF HOMEPAGE
INDUCTION CLASS: 2017
SPORT: Basketball
Walter Barnes was a student-athlete in basketball and track from 1953-56, and coached in various roles for the men’s basketball, football and track and field programs. He was the head coach of the basketball team from 1959-60 to 1962-63. As the basketball head coach, Barnes compiled a record of 61-40 over four seasons. His 1960-61 team had the best regular season in program history, posting an impressive record of 23-1. The high-powered team averaged 91.4 points per game that season, and the Bulldogs scored over 100 points six times. The team scored a season-high 122 points in a 122-65 win over Millsaps late in the season. Barnes has earned multiple honors, including the Samford ODK “Leader with Impact” Award (2001), Philanthropist of the Year (2002), Samford Alumni of the Year (2007) and Samford Life Service Award-Howard College Bulldog Athletics (2012), and he was inducted into the Central Alabama Softball Association Hall of the Fame in 1994.
