New FGCU athletics director sees opportunity ahead
- Drew Sterwald
- Athletics
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos
5 – minute read
Florida Gulf Coast University’s new director of intercollegiate athletics outlined his vision for leveraging FGCU’s strong organizational foundation, capitalizing on the changing collegiate athletics landscape and uniting Southwest Florida behind a championship-caliber program that develops successful student-athletes.
Brian Barrio addressed the media, donors and faculty and staff at a reception July 20 at The Boardwalk. His appointment after a nationwide search was announced July 2 by FGCU President Aysegul Timur.
“College athletics, as I think everybody knows, is changing very, very rapidly,” he said.
“We’re going to be resourceful and relentless in figuring out this new world of college athletics and finding FGCU’s place at a higher level than it’s ever been before. FGCU Athletics’ greatest days are ahead.”
Katherine Green, vice president for University Advancement, led the search panel for the position. She told the audience that Barrio stood out from other candidates for his “robust experience in compliance, revenue generation and fan engagement.”
“What impressed us most was his vision for college athletics and his understanding of how athletics supports the broader mission of the university. That is especially important, because the athletics director will now serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet, helping to lead the overall development of the university. This change reflects the important role athletics plays in helping advance the university’s goals.”
Change comes with opportunities
Revenue sharing, transfer freedom, conference realignment, financial stability and name, image and likeness considerations are among the ways collegiate athletics is evolving. While many see crisis in the rapidly changing landscape, FGCU should see opportunity, Barrio said.
“We have to keep that optimistic mindset because we’ve got a lot of opportunity in front of us,” he said. “This community has a lot of brilliant people who want to commit to this program and help us. And we’re going to get out there and make sure we connect with those folks and get them on the team.”
When he was driving onto FGCU’s campus for the first time, Barrio recalled, he was struck by the sentiment expressed on one of the digital sign monuments: “Your Southwest Florida Hometown Team.”
“I couldn’t take that to heart more — that’s what we need to be,” he said. “It’s incumbent on us to build that and tell that story. And that’s what I want to do. But the next chapter of FGCU Athletics is not going to be written by me. It’s going to be written by our student-athletes, by our coaches and by every staff member, donor and Eagle fan who decides this place is worth investing their time, their passion and their resources. My job is to remove the obstacles to success, to tell our story, and to make those people feel confident getting on board with what we’re trying to do.”
That community connection is part of what Barrio sees as success, along with winning championships and graduating student-athletes who are proud to represent FGCU, he said.
Attracted by a growth mindset
Barrio arrives at FGCU with more than two decades of experience in intercollegiate athletics.
He served as athletics director at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County from 2020 to 2024. During his time with the Retrievers, the department set fundraising records in back-to-back years and produced the highest total corporate sponsorship revenue year in the university’s history.
He and his team secured the largest individual gifts in program history for the men’s basketball and baseball teams and completed a $5 million naming rights agreement for the university’s arena.
At UMBC, Barrio also led a department that achieved record-setting academic outcomes, including a school-record departmentwide grade-point average and 10 perfect NCAA Academic Progress Rate scores. In competition, the Retrievers won 11 America East Conference championships, and three head coaches hired by Barrio earned America East Coach of the Year honors.
From 2018 through 2020, Barrio led a 16-sport NCAA Division I athletics department at Central Connecticut State University. During his tenure, the Blue Devils won seven Northeast Conference titles. In his first year at the university, departmental fundraising increased 40%.
Why FGCU at this point in his career?
“It’s really exciting to come to a place that’s got a growth mindset, where people are optimistic — and with good reason,” Barrio said. “I’m extremely excited about that. I think there’s also a lot that I can help bring to take us to the next level. So there’s room to grow, but there’s a great foundation — that’s very exciting.”
