Clayton Barefield enters his first season as Director of Athletic Communications at Embry-Riddle, beginning on August 11, 2025.
Barefield comes to Daytona Beach from Columbus State University in Georgia where he most recently finished a stint as the Director of Sports Information and Media Relations after previously being promoted from his assistant post in the Fall of 2024. Prior to Columbus State, he previously served as the Director of Athletic Communications at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia from 2021-2024.
While at Brewton-Parker, Clayton directed all athletic communications efforts for 20+ athletic programs building coverage from ground zero. At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Clayton was named the Neptune GameTime SSAC Sports Information Director of the Year for his efforts leading the Barons' athletic communications department.
Prior to his time in Mount Vernon, Clayton served as a Sports Information Graduate Assistant with the Mid-South Conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky. While with the MSC, he assisted in managing all media and communication efforts from the conference office along with the daily operation of the Sports Information Department. He also worked on improving the MSC's social media presence by increasing the use of graphics and other curated content. In addition to his service with the conference, Clayton assisted Lindsey Wilson with game day operations as well as video streaming production for home athletic events.
In addition, Clayton worked as a Sports Information Intern with Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky before attending graduate school. As an intern, he worked directly with all varsity and junior varsity sports. His responsibilities at Lindsey Wilson included the daily maintenance of the official athletics website, managing communication efforts, facilitating media needs, compiling statistics for athletic events, and assisting in all game day operations. In addition, Clayton earned national recognition from the NAIA-SIDA Media and Publications Contests for his work on graphics and media notes.
The Columbus, Georgia native began his time in sports information as an Athletic Communications Assistant at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. While obtaining his undergraduate degree, Clayton assisted in a wide variety of aspects in the Athletic Communications Department. While at West Georgia, he assisted the department by working alongside the sports information staff at home events as well as filming highlight footage for all sports. In addition, he provided supervision over student-workers with filming content for the department. He also worked in close relation to the athletics' external affairs in acquiring sponsorships for the annual football media guide.
Clayton graduated from the University of West Georgia in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Sports Management and graduated from Campbellsville University in 2021 with a Master's in Sports Management & Administration. He has a passion for missions and service as he has served on several overseas trips to Colombia and the Czech Republic. He currently resides in Port Orange, Florida.
