Gaston Sports Hall of Fame: Here's why Trace Barnette is considered a 'community heirloom'

Trace Barnette always had a passion for sports. His athletic success and mentorship are among the reasons he is being inducted April 8 into the Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame at the Gastonia Conference Center.

Attending North Gaston in the mid-1970s, he excelled in football, baseball and basketball, in addition to his favorite sport, track and field. Graduating in 1978 — and with the help of his mentor Zip Stowe — Barnette was able to continue his passion for track and field at Western Carolina University on a scholarship.

Barnette had a successful career during his four years at WCU, earning all-Southern Conference honors in the long jump and triple jump, capped by him being named the Catamounts' most valuable player in 1982.

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After earning his bachelor's degree at WCU, Barnette moved back to Gaston County with dreams of becoming an entrepreneur businessman. With that in mind, and a determination to work hard, he established Mobile Car Wash and Detailing, which thrived for almost nearly 40 years serving customers in Gaston, Cleveland and Mecklenburg counties.

Even though his new business kept him busy and content, he returned to his athletic passion in 1985 as assistant track coach for Bessemer City High's Tony Baker. Barnette would become the Yellow Jackets' head track coach, then serve at North Gaston as head track coach 1998 to 2006 and end at Grier Middle School as track coach from 2007 to 2015.

At each school, he guided his teams to conference and county championships and helped many athletes continue in the sport collegiately. In addition, he served as a mentor to hundreds of Gaston County elementary, middle school and high school students as a coach in the Gaston County AAU track program.

He could be found helping his longtime friend Bobby Lipscomb at Hunter Huss High School football games. Lipscomb was the public address announcer, and Barnette was his spotter, determining who made plays on the field.

"He did so many things in his life," Myra Barnette said. "He supported everybody, including his children, his athletes and his community. He was an amazing all-around guy. Not only was Trace Barnette a great coach, he was a Renaissance man. He took on many roles as a clergyman, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, mentor, life insurance agent and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity member, but most importantly, he was a remarkable father and husband.”

Today, the mention of his name always brings a smile to those who encountered the energetic Barnette.

"We're elated, overwhelmed, grateful and honored," Myra Barnette said of his upcoming induction. "This is something we are all excited about."

Trace Barnette passed away Feb. 17, 2023, at the age of 63. In addition to his wife of 37 years, Myra Barnette, he is survived by daughter, Montreal; grandson, Hayden; and siblings Gerard, Sheila and Gwendolyn.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame: Trace Barnette