The Extra Point: UNC’s Casey Barth Enjoying Successful Post-Football Career with Syneos Health
During his playing days as a placekicker for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football team, Casey Barth consistently proved that he was a true team player and could deliver in high-pressure situations — two of the many traits that he now brings to his post-football career at Syneos Health.
Casey, who today is a Manager, Global Deal Management with Syneos Health, holds many school records from his illustrious time at UNC including: career points (358), career extra points (160), consecutive extra points (126), extra points in a game (9), and field goals in a season (21) and career field goals (66). The constant hustle of college athletics helped Casey make the jump from the gridiron into the clinical research industry a successful one.
“Things like being comfortable with the uncomfortable, team work and the ability to perform under pressure are some of the biggest characteristics that help me significantly in my day to day at Syneos Health,” said Casey.
A team leader — on and off the field
Today, Casey leads a team of five individuals who together are responsible for creating and finalizing the budgets for clinical trials across a wide array of therapeutic areas and indications.
“One of the things I enjoy most about Syneos Health is the culture. From the top down, it really feels like a family and one big unit,” said Barth. “We also get to work on life changing studies. Now more than ever, being able to help with those studies that can help treat a pandemic with the best teammates in the world is what keeps me motivated.”
Ali Leclair, Director of Sponsor Contracts Management, credits Casey’s professional success to his contagious positive attitude that he conveys in all situations and to his team.
“He recognizes the importance of developing a cohesive team, one that is continuously working together to achieve shared goals,” said Ali. “That ‘we can do this’ mindset that allows them to develop great solutions to unique and challenging issues. These solutions are necessary to execute contracts quickly and to satisfy our customers. Casey’s team is integral in helping our company meet its financial objectives.”
Where does Casey get this “we can do this” attitude?
As a member of the Tar Heels, Casey had his share of memorable moments on the gridiron. He hit 66 field goals from 2008–2012, several of which were game winners against big name programs like Florida State and Virginia Tech. He also made the game-tying field goal that would eventually set up Giovani Bernard’s 74-yard touchdown on a punt return against NC State in 2012 — you know the one I’m talking about. And he set a school record for nine made extra points in a 66–0 thrashing of Idaho in that same season.
But the one memory that sticks with Barth, however, is the crazy experience his team endured during the 2010 Music City Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers. It was a game most notable for its ending, which led to many rules changing the next season. The Tar Heels were moving the ball down the field before officials penalized them for having too many players on the field. The referees originally ended the game but after reviewing the play, they ruled that UNC had actually spiked the ball with one second left, allowing Casey to take the field — with that ‘can do’ attitude — and score the game-tying field goal to send the contest into overtime. Casey would then hit the game-winner in double overtime to give UNC the 30–27 victory.
“Having the game ‘end’ and then the refs overturning the call and having to come back out onto the field to try and tie it up to force overtime,” said Barth, who was recently named to the All-Decade Team at UNC with his older brother Connor. “And then to hit the game winning field goal in overtime was just surreal. I’ll never forget that experience.”
New team, same passion
With his playing days now behind him, Casey does look back on his time as a Tar Heel with great pride. Now, as a part of the Syneos Health team, he’s playing in a new arena where he can bring all of his skills and passion to help us shorten the distance from lab to life. He has enjoyed his share of success at Syneos Health so far and looks forward to continue building his career here.
“I was lucky enough to be recruited to Syneos Health almost two years ago,” said Casey. “After learning about the leadership and the culture here, it’s been the perfect fit.” Article by: Ryan Sarda, Syneos Health, HR
