Welcome to the Director Download, powered by Campus Rec Magazine.
It’s time to go behind the curtain of the director role and have honest discussions with leaders in the campus recreation industry.
In this episode, host Grady Sheffield, the director of Campus Recreation at Towson University and senior advisor to Campus Rec Magazine, chats with Eric Barron, director of University Recreation and Fitness & Wellness (URecFit and Wellness) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).
Barron’s journey is anything but ordinary. He started in tactical strength and conditioning to years as an assistant director, to suddenly stepping into the director role in the middle of leadership transitions. His story highlights resilience, strategic thinking, and the importance of focusing on progress over perfection.
As one of only four directors in UMB URecFit and Wellness’ history, Barron has embraced leading a small but mighty team serving a unique professional-school population. He shares how he’s: building trust, shaping vision and leveraging wellness as a unifying message across a campus filled with future doctors, dentists and social workers.
Show Notes from the Conversation with Eric Barron:
- His unexpected path from fitness and the Air Force to campus recreation leadership.
- What a decade as an assistant director taught him about patience and preparation.
- The whirlwind transition to director during rapid leadership turnover.
- How he applies “progress, not perfection” in strategic planning and staff development.
- Building a culture of failing forward, transparency and authentic communication.
- The challenges and opportunities of serving a graduate/professional student population.
- Why relationships, data and well-being “champions” are central to influencing campus leadership.
- The importance of listening first, speaking last and aligning every decision with the department’s “why.”
If you’re a campus rec professional seeking practical wisdom on strategic leadership, staff culture and navigating unique institutional contexts — this episode is for you.
