Bob Barnet joined the Muncie Star in 1929 and was sports editor from 1930-82. After his retirement in 1982, he continued to write two weekly sports columns and a Sunday editorial column. In addition to 53 years of writing local and Ball State sports, Barnet covered many Kentucky Derbys, Indianapolis 500s, Old Oaken Bucket football games and IHSAA basketball state finals. He was president of the ISSA and won the organization's Joe Boland Award for service to youth. He has been named ISSA Indiana Sportswriter of the Year and has won the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame's Silver Medal.
Barnet was also heavily involved in the Golden Gloves, Soap Box Derby and the Indiana Trotting and Pacing Horse Association. Barnet is also a member of the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.