“More Than a Game: How UNC Charlotte’s Mac Barfield Turned Club Basketball into a Mental Health Haven”

By Joel Baucom

For University of North Carolina at Charlotte senior Mac Barfield, basketball has never been just about winning. It’s been about building a space where young men can find balance — on the court and within themselves.

When Barfield took over as head coach of the UNC Charlotte Club Basketball Team, the program looked different. Practices were unstructured, commitment wavered, and the team lacked the culture needed to compete at a high level.

Barfield, a player-turned-coach, decided to change that — not just with stricter practices or new plays, but with a mindset that emphasized discipline, consistency, and brotherhood.
“Mac came in and gave the guys direction,” said one of his assistant coaches. “But more importantly, he gave them an outlet — a way to clear their heads and focus on something positive.”

That outlet became a lifeline for many of the team’s players, who view their time on the court as more than a workout. For them, it’s a form of mental health therapy — a place to release stress, find structure, and be surrounded by teammates who understand their struggles.

Through long practices and late-night conversations, Barfield built something that went beyond basketball. He built trust. He created an environment where players could talk about what they were going through and push each other to become better — not just as athletes, but as people.

Now, as Barfield prepares to graduate and pass the torch, his legacy is already visible in the way his players carry themselves. The program he rebuilt has become a community. A brotherhood.

“For Mac, basketball was always about more than the game,” one teammate reflected. “He showed us how to handle pressure, stay grounded, and look out for each other.”
Barfield’s final season isn’t about statistics or banners. It’s about leaving something behind — a culture rooted in mental strength, leadership, and connection. As he steps away from the sidelines, his players will keep carrying that message forward.

Because at UNC Charlotte, under Coach Mac Barfield, club basketball became more than competition — it became a reminder that even in the toughest moments, the game can heal.