PISCATAWAY, N.J. – One of the top scorers in women’s lacrosse history, Halley Barnes finished her collegiate career with 108 points on 86 goals and 22 assists. As a senior captain in 2016, Barnes produced 41 points on 35 goals and six helpers, which earned her a spot in the prestigious IWLCA North-South All-Star game. Her most notable goal that season came against No. 15 Ohio State on April 22, 2016 at Rutgers Stadium, when she weaved through traffic and bounced the game-winning goal into the back of the cage to secure the Scarlet Knights a 13-12 overtime win against the Buckeyes.

Now enjoying a successful career as a senior account executive with Taylor Strategy – a sports and entertainment PR firm based out of New York City – Barnes caught up with ScarletKnights.com to provide an update on her life as a PR professional as well as to reminisce about her time as a standout lacrosse player “On the Banks.”

ScarletKnights.com: So Halley, give us an overview of what you’re currently up to in your professional life?
Halley Barnes: I'm currently at Taylor Strategy, which is a PR agency based out of New York City, though most of my work is done remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re an all-purpose PR agency that works with other companies and brands, and I’ve been here since I graduated from Rutgers. 

SK.com: So what does a typical day look like for you?
HB: What’s great is that every single day is different. Right now I’m working across with Diageo and Procter & Gamble in their PR departments. On the Diageo side, we’re currently working on promoting some of their brands, and that can be anything from working with their MLS sponsorships to their new product releases in the lifestyle entertainment categories. We’re working on an audio holiday program right now because everyone is so screen fatigued. So every day is really different from the next.

SK.com: How did you land at Taylor?
HB: I was fortunate enough to stay at Rutgers another year to earn my master’s, and that’s when I began my internship with Taylor. I actually networked with some people from the company when the career services department took us into New York City to meet with some professionals from different industries. I stayed in touch with someone I met from Taylor and through that experience, I landed my internship and then eventually my current job.

SK.com: How did Rutgers help you achieve success in your current role?
HB: A lot of the qualities I learned while playing for Rutgers lacrosse have allowed me to stand out every day at my current job and have helped me advance as quickly as I have. When you’re a student-athlete, you have classes after a 5 a.m. lift and also maybe after an 8 p.m. run, so the work ethic that makes you successful on the field definitely transfers to your profession. Rutgers as a university prepared me astronomically, and I never really appreciated it until after I left. Rutgers’ proximity to New York City and all of these amazing companies was also a benefit. A lot of the connections I have now are from Rutgers.

SK.com: So are you still involved with lacrosse?
HB: Of course! I still coach outside of Philadelphia with a club program called NXT, and I serve as their 2022 coach. I just like to help out when I can. Pre-pandemic, I also was involved with Harlem Lacrosse out of New York City as a volunteer. I was actually able to bring them to Rutgers a few times to clinics inside the bubble. I don’t play as much, but I still try to stay involved as much as I can.

SK.com: Do you keep up with the current team?
HB: Absolutely. I haven’t played with anyone on the current roster, but some of the girls are sisters of those who I have played with. I also grew up and played with [current assistant coach] Ally Heavens. She was one of my close friends all throughout high school. It’s exciting to see her and the rest of the staff doing so well.

SK.com: How excited are you to see the team compete this season?
HB: I can’t wait. My heart broke for them last year when their seasons were cut short. I couldn’t fathom that happening, especially for the seniors. They were on a roll last season under Coach [Melissa] Lehman, so I know they’re going to continue to grow. The alumni are in their corner and we’re rooting for them. We can’t wait for them to take the field.

SK.com: You were a key member of the program that transitioned the team from the BIG EAST to the Big Ten. What does it mean to you to be a part of that?
HB: It’s unbelievable. At the beginning, it was a bit of a culture shock. The transition came with ups and downs but we stuck together. It was just a really great experience and made me love Rutgers that much more. My dad actually still has the first goal I scored in the Big Ten down in our basement. It’s something we’re all proud of.

SK.com: What’s your favorite memory playing for Rutgers?
HB: The friendships I’ve made have been unbelievable. I currently live in the same town as seven other girls I played with at Rutgers, and they have become my lifelong friends. On the field, it has to be our overtime win over Ohio State in 2016. It gives me chills every time I think about it. That was just one memory that sticks out.

SK.com: The program will move into the Gary & Barbara Rodkin Academic Success Center this winter. What’s it like to see Rutgers investing so much into women’s lacrosse?
HB: The lacrosse program always wanted and needed its own space, and the plans that I’ve seen for it are unbelievable. I haven’t been able to see it in person, but I’m looking forward to getting back and checking it out. It will just give them more space and a place to recover during the season. I’m really excited for them.

SK.com: Finally, the RFund provides opportunities for hundreds of student-athletes to achieve their goals at Rutgers. What is it like knowing you had that type of support during your time here?
HB: It really is unbelievable the amount of support RFund provides, especially for sports where a lot of the budget comes from donations. The RFund provided a lot of opportunities for all of my teammates and I’m forever grateful for that.