Paradise Valley Community College’s (PVCC) Cross Country and Track & Field Coach David Barney was recently named to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) first-ever Coaches Legacy Awards honoree list. This prestigious recognition, presented by Nufabrx, honors the all-time winningest coaches in NJCAA history, with Coach Barney included for both men’s and women’s cross country.
Coach Barney’s remarkable career at PVCC began in 1995 when he was hired as the college’s first cross country coach. In 1999, he also became the founding coach of the track & field program. Over the years, he has cultivated both programs into some of the most successful in the nation. Since 1996, PVCC’s men’s and women’s cross country teams have captured nine NJCAA national championships, secured runner-up finishes seven times, and placed in the top four an additional 11 times. Five PVCC runners have claimed individual national titles, and 67 athletes have earned NJCAA All-American honors.
Reflecting on the recognition, Coach Barney said, “I believe this award is a tribute to the athletes I’ve coached. They have believed in me, trusted in me, believed in themselves, and they’ve worked extremely hard.”
"Puma Athletics is honored to have one of our own as a recipient of the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards. With Coach Barney at the helm, our program has proven continued success at the national level,” said PVCC Athletics Director Christina Hundley.
A Legacy of Mentorship
Beyond his accolades, Coach Barney’s true impact lies in the lives of his student-athletes. He describes cross country as a sport that teaches invaluable life lessons. “It’s a fantastic team sport,” he said. “The camaraderie you develop on a cross country team is unlike anything you will experience elsewhere. The lessons you learn—goal setting, long-term planning, delayed gratification, discipline, persistence, resilience—are pivotal to a successful life.”
His dedication to mentorship is evident in the testimonials from his students. Olivia Coulston, a general studies student at PVCC, credits Coach Barney with transforming her perspective on running and life.
"Coach Barney has had a tremendous impact on my life, not just as a runner but as a person. Before coming to PVCC, I saw running as something I did—I worked hard, I raced, and I pushed myself—but he’s helped me see that it’s so much more than that. He’s changed the way I approach challenges, not just in training but in life. Because of him, I’ve grown in ways I never expected, and I know I’ll carry the lessons he’s taught me far beyond my time at PVCC."
Keira Damron, a secondary education student, added, “Coach Barney has had a HUGE impact on my running career, not only coaching me to be tough physically, but also mentally. I’ve made a lot of progress here at PV thanks to him, and taking my running to the next level.”
A Career Built on Passion and Perseverance
Coach Barney’s roots in Arizona run deep. A state cross country and track & field champion, he went on to become a junior college national champion before earning NCAA All-American honors at the University of Arkansas. He later competed in four U.S. Olympic Trials and twice represented the United States at the World Championships.
His passion for running extended to coaching high school athletes in 1989, and he has operated his own running camp since 1987. Throughout his career, Barney has been named NJCAA Coach of the Year ten times, was inducted into the Arizona Runners Hall of Fame in 2012, and joined the ACCAC Hall of Fame in 2018.
Looking ahead, Coach Barney remains committed to his mission of inspiring and guiding young student-athletes. “I had a high school coach that made a significant difference in my life, and my hope is to pay that forward — to make a difference in the lives of the young men and women I coach.”
Coach Barney will be officially honored at the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards luncheon on June 17 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
For more information on PVCC’s athletic programs, visit the website.