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2008 SESSION

089174338
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 250
Offered March 3, 2008
Commending Walter Barr.
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Patrons-- Vogel; Delegate: Sherwood
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WHEREAS, Walter Barr stepped down in January 2008 as head coach of the James Wood High School football team after orchestrating a dramatic turnaround in the program in just three years; and

WHEREAS, Walter Barr had coached the Colonels in the late 1960s, winning the 1970 Group AAA state championship, and he had his work cut out for him the second time around, as the team’s last winning season was in 1981; and

WHEREAS, Walter Barr graduated from Clarke County High School in 1955, was a three sport athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and was named Winchester Star Outstanding Athlete; and

WHEREAS, Walter Barr began his distinguished career at James Wood High School as an assistant coach under James Casey in 1962; he was named head coach of the Colonels in 1967, compiling in four years a winning 38 - 2 - 1 record, a Virginia High School League AAA state championship, and Winchester Star Coach of the Year honors in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Coach Barr moved to West Virginia to join what is now Shepherd University, where he served as an exemplary head coach for 16 years for the Rams; and

WHEREAS, during his outstanding coaching career, Coach Barr served at Loudoun County High School, Sherando High School, and Shenandoah University; and

WHEREAS, Coach Barr returned to James Wood High School as head football coach in 2005, and his players responded to his leadership and work ethic; after going 1 - 9 in their first year, the Colonels produced a 7 - 3 record in 2006 and ended the 2007 season 8 - 3 with a berth in the Region II, Division 4 playoffs; and

WHEREAS, achieving more than 200 wins and a 70 percent overall victory margin, Coach Barr was again named Winchester Star Football Coach of the Year in 2006; and

WHEREAS, team members, parents, and administrators praise Coach Barr as much for his football know-how as for the importance he places on good sportsmanship and character development; and

WHEREAS, believing strongly in honesty, character, discipline, and hard work, Coach Barr has been a mentor and an outstanding role model for his former high school and college players, as well as his players who have gone on to succeed in the National Football League; and

WHEREAS, a great community supporter, Coach Barr has regularly visited Stonewall Elementary School to talk to students about life lessons, and each year he assists with the Evans Home for Children Chili Dinner fundraiser; and

WHEREAS, Coach Barr accepted the job at James Wood High School on the condition that he would only stay for three years, and he has been true to his word; his legacy will endure much longer, as he has set up the football program for great success in the future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Walter Barr on his many achievements and his tremendous success as head coach of the James Wood High School football team; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Walter Barr as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his leadership of and commitment to his players and the James Wood High School community.