Barry Acker joined Elizabethtown College's men's basketball program as an assistant prior to the 1996-97 season. Acker is still working side-by-side with head coach Bob Schlosser as he embarks on his 16th season in 2011-12.
Acker spent 14 years coaching various levels of basketball within the Elizabethtown Area School District before jumping on board with Schlosser in the head coach's seventh season. He started with the junior high program from 1983-90 and then spent the next six seasons with the high school varsity and junior varsity teams.
When the Bears needed a head coach during the 1995-96 season, they turned to Acker in the interim.
Since moving over to the College, Acker's developmental background has proved vital. He's been on staff for the finest stretch of basketball in E-town history, including the 2001-02 NCAA Division III Tournament run that produced a National Runner-up finish for the Blue Jays.
The Jays own more than 200 wins, four Commonwealth Conference Championships, two conference runner-up finishes and three trips to the NCAA DIII Tournament during Acker's time as an assistant.
Acker is a 1975 graduate of Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, W.Va. He earned his bachelor of science in physical/education and health and also completed business courses at Messiah College.
Aside from his coaching at both the scholastic and collegiate levels, Acker has been employed by the Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation & Community Services (GEARS) since 1976, and is currently its Executive Director.
