Cranberry Township, PA - North Catholic High School has hired a new Athletic Director with a name familiar to the Pittsburgh sports community. Bill Barton has been an assistant basketball coach at both Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. He was at Duquesne when they made their memorable run to the A-10 Finals in 2009 and was part of three NCAA Tournament teams at Pitt.  Currently, Barton is the Athletic Director at Saint Joseph Prep Boston, a Catholic school located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston.

Barton earned his BS at Salem State University in Massachusetts and his MBA from Suffolk University in Boston. His business acumen has paid off for St. Joe's in the way he has streamlined the athletic budget, revamped the athletic department, increased donations to build an on-campus athletic field. North Catholic is banking on him bringing those skills to Cranberry.

North Catholic Principal Michael Palcsey explained, "We were looking to hire someone who could elevate the position. We were blessed to have some amazing candidates, but Bill stood out with unparalleled experience with both high school and college coaching credentials.  Pair that with his business knowledge and his devotion to his Catholic faith, and Bill appears to embody the various disciplines that we aim to instill in each of our students."

In addition to his administrative experience, Barton has plenty of high school coaching experience. He was the Head Coach of the Prep Basketball program at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, MA, leading the program to two prep school national championships.  During that time, Barton sent over 100 student-athletes to the college ranks including the University of Pittsburgh's Carl Krauser and Duquesne University's Sean James.  Barton has also coached cross country, baseball and football during his career.

Former long-time Duquesne University Athletic Director Greg Amodio praised the selection stating, "Bill was my go-to guy for all administrative, academic and fundraising tasks associated with Men's Basketball. He will do a fantastic job for North Catholic!"

North Catholic President Joe Wilson pointed to Barton's track record of encouraging academic excellence for student athletes as one thing that made Barton stand out among the candidates.  "We believe that we are forming our students at North Catholic in all areas of life.  We are proud of our athletic successes at NC, but it's what our kids are doing off the field that makes them exceptional people.  Bill gets that. He's led that charge in his previous posts and we look forward to him doing that here."

Barton states, "I am deeply honored to be joining the North Catholic Community, and I am beyond excited to get started. I want to thank the entire leadership team for putting the faith in me to lead the athletic department."

Barton will begin at North Catholic High School on April 25, 2022.