WALESKA, Ga. - On Wednesday, the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) announced that Skyler Barnett has been named a AAC Coach of Character as part of the conference's End of Year Awards.

The head baseball coach at Milligan helped lead his program to their second ever national tournament appearance in 2026, while also producing the most prolific season in Milligan baseball history, amassing 41 wins and just 15 losses for a .732 winning percentage. The team won their first AAC regular-season championship since the 2001 campaign by taking two out of three from Johnson on the final weekend of the regular season.

Beyond the diamond, coach Barnett has had a major impact on his student-athletes. "Skyler is relentlessly optimistic. He is the consummate players' coach. The majority of our conversations are about the student-athlete experience," said associate head coach Taylor Davis. "With 70 guys on the roster, it can be tough to make sure each player feels valued. Skyler takes pride in making sure that everyone in the program gets the same experience. Guys always know where they stand, but they know he cares as well. He is a man of character and a teacher of the game. I have seen him lead meetings on how to send a professional email, how to manage your time as an adult, how to change a tire, etc. He legitimately cares about the guys and coaches them for now and the future."

Click HERE to view the release from the conference.