Laurens District 55 to Name High School Athletic Training Room in Honor of Coach Barry Atkinson
March 26, 2025
The Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55) School Board members unanimously approved to name the Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS) Athletic Training Room in honor of Coach Barry Atkinson. Elizabeth D. Franklin, a graduate of LDHS and a long-time resident of Laurens, proposed at the March 24, 2025, LCSD 55 School Board Meeting.
In her presentation, Franklin stated that she has known Coach Barry Atkinson personally and professionally for the last thirty-seven years. Franklin’s father, Duane Dennie, was a friend and colleague of Coach Atkinson at the LDHS Athletics Department. Franklin said, “Coach Atkinson has made a positive impact on me, along with many students and student-athletes who served during his (Atkinson’s) tenure at Laurens High School, from 1981 to 2017.”
Franklin shared letters of support with the LCSD 55 School Board. Recommendations came from Coach Mark Freeze, Eric Sullivan, Stacey Evans, Dr. Stan Whitlock, and Coach Ed Prescott- all notable and respected community members. Many of the letters listed Coach Barry Atkinson’s accomplishments and recognitions. Among are:
- 1999 South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Trainer of the Year
- 1999 Athletic Trainer for the Carolinas Classic Basketball
- 2003 Athletic Trainer for the South Carolina Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas
- 2004 – 2019 Director of Sports Medicine for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas
- 2019 – Present Ameretus Athletic Trainer for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas
- 2008 Laurens District 55 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
- 2009 First Athletic Trainer Inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Coaches Hall of Fame
- 2009 South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association Founders Award
- 2016 South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
- 2016 Fred W. Hoover Award from the South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association
- 2017 Inducted into the First Laurens County Hall of Fame Class
- 2019 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas Hall of Fame Inductee
- Three-time North Athletic Trainer for the South Carolina Football Coaches Association for the North/South All-Star Football Game
- Thirty years Secondary School Committee Chair for the South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association
- Thirty years South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association Liaison to the South Carolina Athletic Association
- Twelve years South Carolina Athletic Association Representative to the South Carolina High School League Board
- Athletic Trainer for nine State Championship teams at LDHS
- Six of his LDHS Athletic Training Student Assistants participated in the Shrine Bowl.
- One of his LDHS Athletic Training Student Assistants participated in the North/South All-Star Football Game.
Franklin elaborated, “I feel it would be an honor to Barry Atkinson to have the Training Room named in his honor for the years and service and dedication he has given to Laurens District 55. Coach Atkinson’s qualities and achievements have left an impact and will continue to be the standard for the expert care the students of Laurens High School receive.
Coach Atkinson, a native of Mount Croghan, in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Baptist College. He became the LDHS Head Athletic Trainer in 1981 and moved to Laurens with his wife, Martha Kay, and their two-year-old son, Dan. In 1982, his daughter- Mandy, was born in Laurens. Since his move, Atkinson has been a Raider at heart and only wished and worked for the best interest of the students, athletes, colleagues, and members of the Laurens community.
Atkinson recalls that when he came to Laurens in 1981, the LDHS Athletic Training Room was 400 square feet with very little equipment. He advocated for bigger and better facilities and received the support of then Superintendents Dr. Billy Strickland and Dr. Ed Taylor. In 1991, the Athletic Training Room expanded to about 1400 square feet. In January 2006, it became 3,600 square feet- considerably the nicest in South Carolina. Coach Atkinson said that his best memories in the LDHS Athletic Training Room focus on the relationships with students and seeing how they got back to play. He said, “That’s the best feeling in the world!”
Recently, Coach Atkinson is seen back on the field assisting new Athletic Trainers, sharing his knowledge, care, and love for those who have chosen the Sports Medicine Career path. It is very appropriate now to name the LDHS Training Room after him.
Upon learning of the LCSD 55 School Board’s decision to approve Elizabeth Franklin’s proposal, Coach Atkinson said, “I’m humbled. It’s a great honor, and I truly appreciate it. I’m very appreciative of the efforts of the many people who made this happen.”
“I consider this honor as a representation of all the people I worked with- Principals, Athletic Directors, Athletic Trainers, and Coaches, and the hard work they put in. I also thank my mentors Jay Shoop of Furman University and Jerry Robertson of East Tennessee State, Superintendents Dr. Strickland and Dr. Taylor for the resources they gave me, and the facilities (Orthopedic Palmetto Bones & Joint and Laurens Family Healthcare) which helped me take care of our students. Lastly, my family, especially my crowned jewel, Martha Kay, for always being there for me.”
LCSD 55 is planning a ceremony to celebrate this momentous occasion.
