John Barron was named Director of Athletic Performance at Little Rock in 2006, after founding Athletic Performance Training, Inc. and after a stint as a strength consultant for the Trojans during the 2006 spring semester. Athletic Training Performance, Inc. specializes in working with athletes who want to maximize their potential.
The men’s basketball team was tested after the 2006-07 season and showed a higher average than when the team started during the season. The freshman and junior college transfers showed fast improvements in strength, while the veteran players stayed consistent. One men’s basketball player improved his squat by 121 pounds, his bench by 40 pounds, and increased his vertical leap by three inches.
"John Barron is one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic coaches I have worked with in my 28 years of coaching," said women’s head basketball coach Joe Foley. "He is available 24 hours a day. He works individually with groups. I have the most respect for how he deals with athletes and how much improvement I have seen in one year."
Four returning volleyball players for next year’s squad have increased their vertical leap by three and a half inches or better. One player has increased her vertical leap by five and a half inches.
"John Barron is a super human being, and he carries that over into his job," said head volleyball coach Van Compton. "I like his knowledge and expertise in strength and conditioning. His character shows through when he is training athletes. Something about him makes the athletes want to get better."
Recently Barron helped to establish Strength Tracker, a web based program, to the Little Rock Athletic Performance program. This program allows student-athletes to access workouts based on their maxes via the internet from school or at home. The student-athletes can e-mail Barron with questions, as well as Barron can e-mail the athletes to let them know workouts are available. This program is in place for every sport.
As a strength consultant, Barron worked with the volleyball team during the 2006 spring semester, while also consulting with the baseball team to design off-season and in-season training regimens. In addition, Barron designed a 12-week summer program for men’s and women’s basketball, and conducted all summer workouts at the Jack Stephens Center.
"John is producing the most physical teams and putting the most physical teams on the court," said head track and field coach and former Director of Athletic Performance Milton Williams. "He does a great job in all areas to develop athletes to their fullest potential."
Prior to joining the Little Rock Department of Athletics, Barron had served as president of The Benefits Group, Inc. (an insurance brokerage firm).
Barron graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1980 with a bachelor’s of arts in liberal arts. He resides in Little Rock with his wife, Connie. They have three children; Lindsey, Hunter, and Matt.
