GREENVILLE—In the midst of the 2022 holiday season, My County Link was acquired by its Founder and Publisher Gaylen Blosser, and Sports Editor Dale Barger.
Blosser previously owned a portion of the company, but now splits ownership with Barger fifty-fifty.
“I’m pleased to be able to work alongside Gaylen and continue providing relevant news, sports and events that connect our Darke County Communities together,” Barger stated. “It’s an exciting time and glad to be a part of the only locally-owned media company in the county.”
Barger grew up in Covington, and is a 1982 graduate of Covington High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball.
He attended Edison Community College, where he played basketball, and received an associate degree. Afterwards he transferred to Wright State University, and earned a degree in business administration.
Barger brings with him a rich background in business, sports and media.
He began his career in 1987, working for The Iams Company. He represented the company for 10 years across North America, managing events and sponsorships. He then took an international assignment managing influencer marketing and events for Japan, Asia, Australia and South America, traveling throughout the world representing Iams and Eukanuba dog and cat foods.
After Iams was sold to Procter and Gamble it was time for a new challenge. For 17 more years, Barger worked for Exhibit Concepts as an account executive managing clients exhibits and trade show programs.
In between all that, he took up photography as his sons became involved in sports. In 2003, he created a website for Tri-Village Athletics and shortly thereafter became a sports correspondent for the local newspaper.
His photography led to new opportunities such as school photographer for Franklin Monroe and Mississinawa Valley. Additionally, he does senior photography that showcases student athletes doing what they love to do in sports.
In 2015, he became a member of the Ohio Prep Sports Writer’s Association (OPSWA took over the role of the Associated Press in selecting the All-District & All-Ohio Teams).
In 2019, he received the OHSAA Southwest District Media Service Award, which recognized his efforts in highlighting sports teams and athletes in a positive way.
Barger is currently the Sports Information Director for the Western Ohio Athletic Conference, and the Sports Editor for My County Link.
“I’m pleased to have Dale on board, and as a partner,” Blosser said. “He brings years of experience to My County Link, and is a very well known sports writer in the surrounding counties. Dale has been our Sports Editor since our inception, and now becomes a partner in the business.”
Barger is a lifelong sports enthusiast. He’s covered high school athletics for 20 years, and captured thousands of athletes in action, written countless stories. He considers this to be one of his biggest contributions to the community of Darke County.
He also works alongside his son David, managing D&M Welding and Metal Fabrication in Dayton.
Barger met his wife Rita Fourman, a Tri-Village graduate, and they married in 1987. They have lived on a 72-acre farm outside of New Madison for the last 35 years. They have two sons, David and Evan, both Tri-Village alum, and standout basketball players. He and Rita have three grandkids that they love to spend time with as well.
If you don’t see Dale at a sporting event, you might catch him following his other passion of traveling and photographing nature and wildlife.
