Welcome to Pole Vault Atlanta
Quality Performance Value
Head Coach: Matt Barry
Matt Barry grew up in Atlanta and pole vaulted at Riverwood High School in Atlanta, GA, where he competed in three state meets and was a two-time region champion, and Fulton County champion. He was a two-time State Runner-Up in 2000 and 2001.
Coach Barry sprinted and vaulted at the University of New Hampshire. He vaulted in seven New England Championship meets, and he finished his college career with a 14-10 PR. At UNH, he earned his Bachelor’s in History and later went on to Georgia State University where he earned his Master’s in the Arts of Teaching Social Studies.
Coach Barry has been a teacher and Head XC/Track coach at The Davis Academy since 2005 and has been with Pole Vault Atlanta since 2012, where he’s helped coach 25+ vaulters at the Adidas Outdoor Nationals, New Balance Indoor/Outdoor Nationals, USATF Junior Olympics, the Texas Expo Explosion, MAC Outdoor Nationals & the Millrose Games.
Coach Barry is a USATF Level 1 Track & Field Certified Coach & Official who has presented his approach to coaching all levels of pole vaulters at the Texas Expo Explosion, the Dekalb County Coaches Clinic, the GATFXCCA Clinic & the GHSA Coaches Clinics. Coach Barry is also a guest writer for Vaulter Magazine.
Coach Matt Intili
Coach Intili vaulted a PR of 13’2″ while at Dacula High school in Dacula, GA. He continued to vault on the collegiate level at Shorter University. While at Shorter University he was a member of the 2013 NAIA Indoor Mens Track & Filed National Championship team and the 2014 NAIA Outdoor Mens Track & Field National Championship team.
Matt is a graduate of Kennesaw State University studying for a degree in Sports Management. He has been a part of the PVATL team since 2014.
Matt is our expert in coaching our beginning pole vaulters and he practically created the program of how to teach beginners. Matt has worked with hundreds of athletes from kids who have never touched a pole to post-collegiate athletes who are interested in learning our system. We feel he is the best beginner’s PV coach out there & one of the most knowledgable coaches for all levels!
Matt works with all levels of vaulters in our program, and he is a staple to the success of Pole Vault Atlanta. Matt has also presented at the 2024 DeKalb County Coaches Clinic. Chances are almost certain that if you've come to Pole Vault Atlanta for a practice, you've worked with Coach Matt!
Coach Caleb Ebbets
Caleb vaulted at Lee County High School in South Georgia where he broke the GA AAAA High School State Record in 2010 with a jump of 15’6” at the State Meet. Caleb’s HS PR of 16-1 was also set in 2010. Caleb went on scholarship to pole vault at the University of Georgia.
Caleb is 4th on the all- time UGA list with his college PR being 17’ 5 ½. At the University of Georgia, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Sport Science. While being a student athlete he was a 3x Academic All-American. He currently works full time as a Physical Therapist at Emory Health Care.
Caleb mostly works with the beginners at PV-ATL and is currently trying to make a come back in his own vaulting. Caleb has worked with our beginners since joining our staff more than 8 years ago. Caleb's experience as an elite vaulter brings tremendous knowledge to the PV-ATL program!
Coach Tavie Allan
Coach Tavie first came to Pole Vault Atlanta as a parent of two daughters who pole vaulted in high school. After seeing her daughters’ success, she then decided to join the staff and learn the Pole Vault Atlanta system. Coach Allan is a USATF Level 2 (Jumps) Certified Coach as well as a USATF Certified Official. She is also a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and is endorsed by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA).
She’s been an integral part of the coaching staff who loves working with beginners. She currently coaches at Norcross High School and has coached a number of state medalists.Tavie has been with Pole Vault Atlanta since 2017 & she is the epitome of a great coach!
Coach Nikki Ogorek
Biography coming soon!
Coach Emeritus Hal Fairbanks
Hal Fairbanks is the founder and former head coach at Pole Vault Atlanta. He started PV-ATL in 2006 and has 36 yrs of Track & Field coaching experience with an emphasis in the pole vault. Hal is a former high school and collegiate pole vaulter.
Over the years he has developed a simple system to teach beginners and help experienced pole vaulters. Coach Fairbanks has used this system to produce 26 State champions, 32 State 2nd places, and 27 State 3rd’s in GHSA State pole vault competition over the last 9 yrs.
None of these jumpers had more than two years experience before they reached the State elite level, with some jumpers seeing success even in their first year in the pole vault.
