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Barney plans to attend Millikin, play football
Brandon Barney of Riverton has indicated he plans to attend Millikin University and play football for Big Blue head coach Doug Neibuhr.
A National Honor Society member, Barney plans to study Graphic Design at Millikin.
“We are pleased that Brandon has decided to attend Millikin,” said Neibuhr. “He is a fine young man who we are looking forward to having in our program.”
Barney earned three letters while playing for Riverton High School.
He also was named to the Prairie State All-Conference Team three times.
During his sophomore seasons, he was an Honorable Mention at Linebacker; during his junior season, he was a First Team All-Conference punter; and he was named to the
Second Team at running back and linebacker in his senior season.
For his career, Barney had 235 total tackles and helped his team make the state playoffs twice. He had over 1,000 total yards and nine touchdowns in his senior season.
Barney also earned letters in basketball and track.
Brandon is the son of Wendy and Gary Barney of Riverton. Barney is a High Honor Roll student, an Illinois State Scholar and received the school’s Web Design, Chemistry and
Biology awards.
Barney also considered Eureka, Illinois College and Illinois Wesleyan, but “I was kind of set on Millikin pretty early,” he admitted.
Being close to home did not hurt either, and Millikin had a good graphic design program as well.
After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Barney hopes to get a job with a design firm after graduation, and he wants to run his own firm someday.
Barney played both ways for the Hawks, and while he just wants to play, “I think I am going to shoot more toward defense (linebacker) because there is a need for them and I
think I could fit right in.”
Expectations for his first year are simple for the affable Barney.
“I hope to learn a lot from the coaches and my teammates,” he said. “I hope for some playing time so I can show what talent I have, but mostly I just to better myself as a player
and a person so I can succeed in both football and life.”
Riverton coach Josh Lee gushed about Barney’s contributions.
“Brandon had a great career here at Riverton, and he is a true competitor in every since of the word,” said Lee. “He always practiced no matter what and he always played as
hard as he could no matter what the score was.”
Lee did not have trouble describing Barney’s strengths.
“His physical and mental toughness are his greatest assets, and him having a leader with those qualities well help this program turn the corner and improve for years to
come,” the coach noted. “He is also fundamentally the best linebacker I have coached, and this past year was a coach to the younger kids as well.
“Our program will miss him next year, and I think he will have a great career at Millikin. His leadership in the field in the classroom and in the community will never be forgotten
around here.”
Brandon Barney of Riverton has indicated he plans to attend Millikin University and play football for Big Blue head coach Doug Neibuhr.
A National Honor Society member, Barney plans to study Graphic Design at Millikin.
“We are pleased that Brandon has decided to attend Millikin,” said Neibuhr. “He is a fine young man who we are looking forward to having in our program.”
Barney earned three letters while playing for Riverton High School.
He also was named to the Prairie State All-Conference Team three times.
During his sophomore seasons, he was an Honorable Mention at Linebacker; during his junior season, he was a First Team All-Conference punter; and he was named to the
Second Team at running back and linebacker in his senior season.
For his career, Barney had 235 total tackles and helped his team make the state playoffs twice. He had over 1,000 total yards and nine touchdowns in his senior season.
Barney also earned letters in basketball and track.
Brandon is the son of Wendy and Gary Barney of Riverton. Barney is a High Honor Roll student, an Illinois State Scholar and received the school’s Web Design, Chemistry and
Biology awards.
Barney also considered Eureka, Illinois College and Illinois Wesleyan, but “I was kind of set on Millikin pretty early,” he admitted.
Being close to home did not hurt either, and Millikin had a good graphic design program as well.
After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Barney hopes to get a job with a design firm after graduation, and he wants to run his own firm someday.
Barney played both ways for the Hawks, and while he just wants to play, “I think I am going to shoot more toward defense (linebacker) because there is a need for them and I
think I could fit right in.”
Expectations for his first year are simple for the affable Barney.
“I hope to learn a lot from the coaches and my teammates,” he said. “I hope for some playing time so I can show what talent I have, but mostly I just to better myself as a player
and a person so I can succeed in both football and life.”
Riverton coach Josh Lee gushed about Barney’s contributions.
“Brandon had a great career here at Riverton, and he is a true competitor in every since of the word,” said Lee. “He always practiced no matter what and he always played as
hard as he could no matter what the score was.”
Lee did not have trouble describing Barney’s strengths.
“His physical and mental toughness are his greatest assets, and him having a leader with those qualities well help this program turn the corner and improve for years to
come,” the coach noted. “He is also fundamentally the best linebacker I have coached, and this past year was a coach to the younger kids as well.
“Our program will miss him next year, and I think he will have a great career at Millikin. His leadership in the field in the classroom and in the community will never be forgotten
around here.”
Issue Date: May 14, 2009
