James Wood High School to Name Football Field in Honor of Coach Walter Barr

James Wood High School will be holding a special ceremony prior to its football game with Sherando High School on August 30 in order to formally name the school’s football field in honor of legendary football coach Walter Barr. During the ceremony, the field will officially be recognized as “Walter Barr Field at Jerry Kelican Stadium.” The ceremony will begin at approximately 6:40 p.m. Kickoff of the game between the Colonels and Warriors is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Barr served as the head football coach at James Wood High School on two different occasions during his illustrious career. He began his coaching career at James Wood as an
assistant coach in 1962 and was named the head coach in 1967. During his first three seasons at the helm, Barr’s teams compiled a record of 38-2-1 and won the 1970 Group AAA Virginia High School League State Championship.

After his initial stint as the head coach at James Wood, Barr went on to coach 15 seasons at Shepherd College where he compiled a record of 104-48-4. He was later enshrined
in both the Shepherd University and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Halls of Fame. Barr also coached one season at Loudoun County High School, two seasons at Shenandoah University and four seasons at Sherando High School before returning to coach the Colonels in 2004. At Shenandoah University, Barr started the school’s football program. During his time at Sherando, Barr led the Warriors to two Group AA state runner-up finishes.

During his final three seasons at James Wood (2004-2007), Barr’s teams compiled a record of 16-15 and appeared in the regional playoffs twice. Barr’s cumulative record as a head football coach is 210-94-5. He was inducted into James Wood High School’s P. Wendell Dick Hall of Fame in 2001. He is also a member of the Clarke County High School Hall of Fame.

James Wood High School Principal Sam Gross says, “Coach Barr exemplifies the positive impact a coach can have on young people. He has impacted thousands of students
during his coaching career and we’re excited about recognizing him by naming our football field in his honor. It’s only fitting that the ceremony occur prior to our game with Sherando as Coach Barr also made a significant impact during his tenure as head coach of the Warriors.”