Capturing Cranbrook's Athetic History: David Schultz ’63 and Coach Barney Reunite

A true Cranbrook “lifer,” Schultz grew up on campus as the son of William Schultz, one of the School’s longest-tenured and most revered science teachers. William joined Cranbrook in 1930—just three years after its founding—and devoted his life to teaching and inspiring generations of students. His work extended beyond the classroom to the Cranbrook Institute of Science, where he coordinated the planetarium and observatory and fostered curiosity in the natural world for more than four decades.

Surrounded by that spirit of exploration, David and his brothers spent their childhood skating on Kingswood Lake, playing ball on the fields, and roaming the campus that became their playground. As the youngest of three boys—always striving to keep up with brothers Richard ’55 and Robert ’58—David’s competitive drive and athletic skills took shape early. By ninth grade, he had joined the varsity football, baseball, and hockey teams; by graduation, he had earned four letters in each sport, co-captaining football and later returning to help Coach Barney behind the bench at Wallace Ice Arena.

Coach Dave Barney taught English and coached football, baseball, and hockey at Cranbrook from 1960 to 1967, living on campus as part of the residential faculty. After leaving Cranbrook, he joined Albuquerque Academy, where he built an extraordinary five-decade career in education and athletics. There, he earned wide acclaim as both a teacher and as the boys’ and girls’ swim coach, leading his teams to 42 state championships before retiring from coaching in 2021. Known for his humility, dedication, and lifelong commitment to students, Barney’s influence has touched generations and continues to embody the values at the heart of Cranbrook Athletics. 

Reunited by zoom, Schultz and Barney reflected on the lessons of teamwork, mentorship, and fair play that have guided Cranbrook Kingswood athletes and coaches across generations. Their conversation honors not only the victories and challenges of competition but also the deeper ways athletics shape leadership and character—a living record of Cranbrook’s athletic spirit.

A recording of their conversation will be available soon as part of the Cranbrook Athletic Oral History Collection. Email the alumni office at alumni@cranbrook.edu if you have a suggestion for a Cranbrook Kingswood Athletics Oral History. 

View the 12 letter plaque here. 
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