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James Barber '64/'79 Inducted Into NE10 Hall Of Fame

General

James Barber '64/'79 Inducted Into NE10 Hall Of Fame

Southern Connecticut State University Hall of Famer, former coach and University legend Jim Barber '64/'79 has been announced as one 10 individuals to be part of the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Earlier in the year, Barber was named one of the finalists for the prestigious NCAA Division II 50th Anniversary Gold Award. 

Barber gave 58 years of dedicated service to Southern Connecticut State and crafted a legacy of change, using his career to advance inclusiveness and access at the institution. A record-setting hurdler as a student-athlete in the early 1960s, and captain and Most Valuable Player of the football team, Barber went on to become a successful Owls coach for almost 25 years, training numerous track champions and 75 All-Americans.

In 1971, Barber launched the Southern Educational Opportunity Program, which over time opened the door to a college degree for scores of minority students. He also led the university's affirmative action office, served as director of student supportive services for more than 20 years and, in his last professional role at the school, helped to advance the university's mission as director of community engagement. A committed community activist, he founded New Haven's track and field outreach program for young people, working with more than 4,000 youths over the years.

Additionally, he has served as president and a longtime board member of the New Haven Scholarship Fund. On the international athletic scene, he was head coach of the U.S. team for the International Association of Athletics Federation World Cup Meet and the U.S. team at the World Indoor Championships, as well as U.S. Olympic Festivals. He helped found the United States Track Coaches Association and was named Indoor Regional Coach of the Year in 2002.

Barber also received the 2000 Service Award for Colleges and Universities from the U.S. Women's Track Coaches Association and was inducted into Southern Connecticut's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2016, Barber was recognized by the SCSU Alumni Association with its Distinguished Alumnus Award and received the President's Medal of Distinction six years later.
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