OUA welcomes UOIT’s Scott Barker as new president
BURLINGTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to welcome Scott Barker, the Director of Athletics at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), as the organization’s new president.
Barker has been in his current role with UOIT since 2016 after previously working as the school’s Manager of Athletics for 11 years. He has accomplished a great deal for the growing Ridgebacks program during his tenure – a program that he has seen develop and diversify since becoming the OUA’s 19th member in 2006 – and while he has been a key figure in its emergence, he has also maintained a prominent presence in the grander OUA landscape.
The Brock University and Central Michigan University graduate has been a key member of the OUA Management Committee for several years, while also previously serving as head of the Sport Committee. Moreover on the sport side, Barker has also served as chair for several OUA championships and helped bring several events to Oshawa, including tennis, golf, badminton, lacrosse, and soccer championships.
“The OUA is proud to welcome Scott to the role of president,” said Gord Grace, OUA Chief Executive Officer. “He has long been a valuable contributor to the organization in a variety of roles; experience that will surely be a continued asset moving forward.”
Through all of his efforts, Scott has consistently helped to provide direction to the OUA to achieve its ultimate vision and values, and he will be striving to keep the student-athlete experience at the forefront in this next chapter. As Grace continued, “His passion for and ability to progress the student-athlete experience has been evident throughout his career and we welcome this same perspective to help guide the OUA over the coming years.”
“I am thrilled to take on the position of OUA president and to be in this position of leadership within the organization,” said Scott Barker. “I have long been an advocate of providing a positive experience for the student-athletes and will certainly be bringing this passion to the role of president while working collectively alongside our 20 member institutions.”
While Barker will be transitioning into the role, the OUA would also like to thank Peter Baxter for his service as president. Laurier’s Athletic Director has been a leading figure for the conference during his three years in the role and has devoted a great deal of time and effort during that span. Baxter has been an incredible advocate for the OUA across the province, helping the organization move toward the 2020 Strategic Plan, and through his engagement with the conference and its member institutions, has done well to set the organization up for continued success.
Barker will begin his role as OUA president immediately.