Aiken, South Carolina, September 30, 2025
News Summary
Todd Wilkinson will depart from his long-standing position at Barton College to become the athletic director at the University of South Carolina Aiken. With over 30 years of service at Barton, Wilkinson has significantly contributed to the growth of the college’s athletic programs. His leadership saw the expansion of sports offerings and numerous championships. This new role marks an important step in his career as he aims to enhance athletic programs within the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference.
Aiken, South Carolina – Todd Wilkinson is departing from Barton College after more than 30 years of dedicated service to take the role of athletic director at the University of South Carolina Aiken, effective February 1, 2023. This transition marks a significant milestone in Wilkinson’s career, as he moves to a prominent position within the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference.
Wilkinson, who has served as the Director of Athletics at Barton College for the past eight years, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have been part of the institution’s development and growth. Under his guidance, Barton experienced a remarkable expansion in intercollegiate athletics, growing from a handful of sports to a total of 24, including the introduction of a football program.
Wilkinson’s journey began at Barton College in 1988, when he joined the institution as the Bulldogs baseball coach at just 26 years old. His early coaching tenure was successful, with his teams clinching two conference titles within his first eight seasons. After briefly stepping away from coaching—during which he served as an assistant at UNC Wilmington and worked at the North Carolina Baseball Academy—Wilkinson returned to Barton in 2000 to lead the baseball team again, achieving conference championships in 2002 and 2006.
After retiring from coaching in 2011, Wilkinson transitioned to an administrative role, first taking on the position of assistant athletic director and then succeeding Gary Hall as the athletic director. During his tenure at Barton, Wilkinson oversaw the addition of significant facilities, such as Truist Stadium, and enhanced existing infrastructure like Wilson Gym and the Sports Performance Center.
Wilkinson’s leadership was marked by substantial achievements, including 17 Conference Carolinas championships and 12 runners-up finishes. Additionally, eight teams advanced to the NCAA postseason under his watch, while nine student-athletes garnered All-America honors. His contributions to the college’s athletics were recognized with the Legacy of the Game Award from Conference Carolinas in 2017, and he was inducted into the Barton College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
Barton College President Dr. Douglas N. Searcy acknowledged the impact of Wilkinson’s vision and leadership on the institution but also celebrated his new opportunity at USC Aiken. Wilkinson’s track record of success at Barton and commitment to student-athletes has positioned him well for his upcoming role.
Moreover, Wilkinson, an alumnus of the University of North Carolina, excelled as a baseball player, earning the title of MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1984. He was also drafted by the Montreal Expos, playing one season of minor league baseball before focusing on his coaching career.
Key Features of Todd Wilkinson’s Career Transition
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Position | Athletic Director at USC Aiken |
| Start Date | February 1, 2023 |
| Years at Barton College | More than 30 years |
| Titles Held | Baseball Coach, Athletic Director |
| Major Achievements | 17 Conference Championships, 8 NCAA Postseason Teams |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Keith Gorman Named Head Baseball Coach at USC Aiken
USC Aiken Welcomes New Head Baseball Coach Keith Gorman
USC Aiken Baseball Program Sees Leadership Change
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: USC Aiken Gorman Baseball Coach
- WRDW: New USC Aiken Baseball Coach Has High Expectations
- WhoopDirt: USC Aiken Names Batts Head Women’s Basketball Coach
- WJBF: USC Aiken Baseball Names Keith Gorman as New Head Coach
- WRDW: USC Aiken Splits with Longtime Pacer Baseball Coach
- Wikipedia: University of South Carolina Aiken
- Google Search: USC Aiken Baseball
- Google Scholar: USC Aiken Athletics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- Google News: USC Aiken News
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