Massachusetts Chapter Bio:

Homer J. Barr was the varsity wrestling coach at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) from the fall of 1966 until his untimely death due to cancer in June of 1975. A native of Pennsylvania, a state rich in wrestling tradition, Homer became a state champion at 185 lbs. in his senior year (his only year of high school wrestling). Continuing on at Penn State, he became a 3-time All-American, finishing 4th as a sophomore, 3rd as a junior, and 2nd as a senior. That year, 1951, he was selected as Penn State's Most Outstanding Athlete. With this kind of success, it was no surprise that Homer Barr would have great success as a high school coach, first at Warren High School and then at State College High School. His 64 straight dual meet wins at State College High was widely acclaimed as was his 98-12 win/loss record during his 10 years as head coach. In 1966 when UMass offered him its head coaching position, Barr accepted the challenge and moved his wife and four children to Amherst. At that time, UMass was a fledgling program fielding a team with whomever happened to show up for the first day of practice. Barr was a visionary, however, and aspired not only for New England success but felt that national competitiveness was an attainable goal. To that end, he began a recruiting effort that would bring in talent from traditionally strong wrestling states like Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. Within two years, UMass had a practice room full of young talent that would propel the UMass program to a level of competitiveness far above any previous season. With nearly 30 New England colleges and universities sponsoring varsity wrestling programs, it was Springfield College that dominated the New England Intercollegiate Wrestling Association's end of season tournament, capturing championships in 20 consecutive seasons. Now with a solid line up, coupled with a dramatically improved and challenging schedule, it was time for UMass to unseat Springfield and become New England champions in 1971, 1973, and 1974. Furthermore, Coach Barr's goal for national competitiveness began to come to fruition when in 1969, two UMass wrestlers competed at the NCAA University Division Championship Tournament at Brigham Young University. In the years that followed and up until his death, UMass would qualify more wrestlers by far than any other New England college or university including longtime and well-established schools that competed in the Ivy League, like Harvard and Yale. Homer Barr was cognizant that the continual development of wrestling at the high school level was critical to achieving his long-term goals. Accordingly, he reached out to the high school coaching community soon after his arrival at UMass. When Granby High School needed space for their Christmas Tournament, Barr arranged for facilities and assistance at UMass. Hosting the 1970 High School New England Tournament was another opportunity to bring high school wrestlers onto campus showcasing the state's flagship university and its programs. Springtime and summer clinics and tournaments were other initiatives organized by Barr, which provided for the development of Massachusetts wrestling. These efforts increasingly resulted in Massachusetts born and bred wrestlers now being able to compete at the highest levels of collegiate wrestling. A man of strong moral character, Homer Barr modeled the ideals of good sportsmanship, of respect for one's opponent, and of doing the right thing. He set high goals for himself and his teams, and he made it clear to all that with commitment and diligence, and a willingness to sacrifice, success would follow. Recognitions for this man have been numerous. As a result of his Pennsylvania high school coaching success, he has been inducted into several regional halls of fame. Most notable was his induction into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995, and now with his induction into the Massachusetts Chapter, he will be one of the very few to ever be inducted by two different state chapters of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The respect and admiration that those in the wrestling community had for Homer J. Barr was evidenced by his selection as the first President of the Pennsylvania State Wrestling Coaches Association, his selection as the first New England University Wrestling Association President in 1973, and his selection as a member of the Executive Board of the National Wrestling Coaches Association in 1975 just prior to his death. He unquestionably committed himself to a lifetime of service to the sport he loved and so it is befitting that he be forever recognized as a leader and a most deserving member of our Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Pennsylvania Chapter Bio:

A Clearfield County native, Homer Barr began his tremendous career as a wrestler and coach at Clearfield County High School when he joined the team as a senior in 1943. That year, Barr won the state championship and posted a 14-0 record as a 185 pounder. After high school, Barr went to work, but he would return to the sport again when he wrestled for three years for the Clearfield YMCA team. In 1948, he placed third in the National AAU Tournament. After wrestling for the YMCA, Barr enrolled at the Penn State-DuBois Campus and then transferred to main campus. At University Park, Barr wrestled for the great coaching legend, Charlie Speidel. As a heavyweight for the Nittany Lions, Barr lost only one dual meet in his final bout and achieved a career record of 46-6. A two-time EIWA champion, Barr was one of seven Nittany Lions to place in three NCAA tournaments. He placed fourth in 1949, third in 1950 and second in 1951. His record for NCAA tournaments was 10-4, and Barr ranks in Penn State's all-time top 10 in career falls with 18. Barr captained the 1951 Penn State team who finished 8-0 in dual meets, won the EIW A title and finished third at the NCAA Championships. Also in 1951, Barr received the Paul Smith Memorial Trophy awarded to Penn State's most outstanding athlete. His coach, Charlie Speidel named Barr to Penn State's All-Time Wrestling Squad. Barr attempted to qualify for the 1952 US Olympic Team, but made alternate heavyweight after he lost to the eventual silver medalist. His first coaching position was at Warren High School where his squads were 32-15-1 with15 District X champions. In 1956, he was named head coach at State College High School. For the next ten years, his teams were 97-12. Barr's 1961-62 Little Lions won the inaugural Central Wrestling Conference championship, and his 1960-61 and1 964-65 teams claimed District VI titles. During his time with State College, Barr was named the first president of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association. In 1966, Barr gained the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level with an offer to be head coach for the University of Massachusetts. In only three years, Barr took the program from 12th and 15th place to third in 1969 in the New England Tournament. For the next five year Umass was either first or second, and they became the first New England team to be ranked in Eastern collegiate wrestling. In nine seasons, the Umass teams were 90-59-2, and Barr was named New England Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1971. While in Massachusetts, he served as state chairman of the US Wrestling Federation and was founder of the New England University Wrestling Association. Homer Barr was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in March 1975 just 2 1/ 2 months before he passed away. As both an outstanding athlete and coach, Homer Barr has contributed greatly to the development of wrestling. His involvement in both high school and college programs shows his devotion and commitment to encouraging and motivating young men to work hard and achieve results. For these reasons, Homer Barr is honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime service to wrestling.