The 2015 season is the third for Tom Barry as an assistant coach at Chicago State.

Barry came to Chicago State after a stellar career as a starting pitcher for Northern Illinois University. During his four years at NIU, the southpaw quickly worked his way from a mid-week starter as a freshman, to a three-year conference starter. Barry played summer collegiate ball for the VeePak Hawks of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League, the Quincy Gems of the Prospect League, and the San Luis Obispo Blues of the California Collegiate League. It was with the Blues where he was named a league All-Star and the seventh ranked league pitching prospect thanks to a season ERA of under 2.20.
           
Barry graduated from NIU in 2012 with a BA in history, and was a 2008 graduate of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Illinois, where he was a three sport standout. As quarterback for PCHS, Barry completed a school-record 91-yard touchdown pass and threw for 1,800 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior captain. He also averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists per game in basketball for the Celtics to earn honorable mention all-area. On the diamond, Barry threw a no-hitter for the Illinois Sparks during the 2008 summer season.  In the Chicago Catholic League, he held a career 3.27 ERA and recorded the highest defensive fielding percentage (.977) in Illinois while spending time on the mound and at first base.