Edinboro University Athletics

Mike Barnes (’93) ranks as one of Edinboro’s all-time great defensive performers.  A four-year starter at defensive back, he finished his career with 222 career tackles, along with seven interceptions and 24 passes broken up.  A native of Cleveland, OH, he helped Edinboro to a 32-12-1 record and three NCAA Playoff appearances in four years.  Barnes moved from fullback to strong safety during his freshman campaign in 1989, helping the Fighting Scots to an 8-3 record and a seventh place ranking.  Edinboro won the PSAC Western Division championship and received its first-ever NCAA Playoff bid.  He finished with 29 tackles, including 17 solo.  As a sophomore, the Fighting Scots finished with a 9-3 record and returned to the NCAA Playoffs, picking up their first-ever playoff win with a 38-14 win over Virginia Union.  They would end up ranked 11th that season.  The starting strong safety, Barnes totaled 49 tackles, a pair of interceptions, and four passes broken up.  He was accorded All-PSAC honors as a junior and senior, earning second team accolades in 1991 and first team in 1992.  Barnes was fourth on the team in tackles with 83 in ’91, and ranked third on the team with 10 passes broken up.  As a senior he not only earned first team All-PSAC West honors, but was also a third team Football Gazette AllAmerican.  Edinboro finished with an 8-2-1 record and made its third trip to the NCAA Playoffs in four years.  In addition to finishing with 61 tackles, he tied for the team lead with five interceptions and broke up seven passes.  He competed on the track and field team in 1993.  Today Barnes resides in Chagrin Falls, OH with his wife Laverne and daughters Michaela and Mia.  He currently coordinates a Career Technical Education program for at-risk students and serves as the head track and field coach at Mayfield(OH) High School.