COY BARNETT ANNOUNCED AS SOCK PUPS MANAGER

Burlington Sock Pups Announce Coy Barnett as Manager for Inaugural Season

North Carolina native to lead the kennel of Sock Pups in 2024 campaign

BURLINGTON, NC - After three exciting seasons in Sockville, the Burlington Sock Puppets (members of the Appalachian League) announced earlier this month that they are expanding  into the Old North State League with the addition of the Burlington Sock Pups. The Sock Pups have now announced that Coy Barnett will lead the new club as their Manager for the inaugural season.

After retiring from his playing career at University of Mount Olive, Barnett remained in school to obtain his Masters in Education focusing on Health and Physical Education. Since his graduation, he has gained a wide range of experience within the Health and Physical Education sphere. Barnett returned to the game of baseball, working with Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) as a Baseball Recruiting Coach where he continues to impact players in a large capacity. While working with NCSA, Barnett founded Committed Baseball Showcase through which he plans low cost exposure events for talented high school athletes to give them avenues to display their abilities in front of college coaches. These events not only provide a valuable platform for players, but it also allows them the opportunity to connect and foster relationships with coaches and recruiters. Barnett, who is no stranger to coaching, has spent the past three years as an assistant coach for Lenoir Community College. He was an integral piece to rebuilding Lenoir CC's program, a rebuild that saw 72 wins in two years along with a Region X championship in 2023. He transformed the offense in his time by doubling it’s production in extra base hits in consecutive years. He now steps into his first managerial role ready to take on the challenge.

“I’m extremely excited and grateful to the Burlington staff for giving me the opportunity to lead this team in its inaugural season,” Barnett said. “My job is to bring a championship standard to the stadium everyday, I plan on doing so. I hope to create a product that the fans of Burlington can support and take pride in.”

Prior to coaching, Barnett touted an impressive career at the plate and in the field for the University of Mount Olive. He ended his collegiate campaign with a .340 batting average (BA), .446 on-base percentage (OBP), and an impressive display of power through a .936 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). Barnett spent most of his time defensively split between roaming the outfield and manning first base. 

“We fully believe and stand behind Coy,” said Assistant General Manager of Baseball Operations for Danville and Burlington Baseball Clubs, Jacob Lemanowicz. “Since our first conversation, Coy has impressed me not only with his recruiting and baseball knowledge, but with his professionalism and communication skills too. His experience and connections will provide an invaluable asset for our Sock Pups players for this summer and beyond.”