Barr to Retire at Season’s End

For More Information Contact: Scott Musa 540.665.5417

WINCHESTER , Va. – Shenandoah University President James A. Davis and Athletic Director Dave Dutton announced Tuesday that Walter Barr, the University’s Head Football Coach, will retire at the end of the current season.

Barr, 65, has been at Shenandoah as Head Football Coach since the program was added in June 1999. From August until December 1998, Barr conducted the university’s football impact study. After the Board of Trustees voted to add football at their June 1999 Executive Board Meeting, Barr was introduced as the first coach one day later.

“Shenandoah will be forever indebted to Coach Barr for everything he has done in helping us add intercollegiate football,” SU President Dr. James A. Davis said. “I think it is fair to say that we wouldn’t have a team today without the work that Walter has put in.

“When we wanted to look at adding football, he was there to do the impact study. When we needed a coach, he graciously agreed to coach for three years. I think he would tell you that he has worked harder in the last three years than at any other point in his coaching career, but the results have been outstanding.”

After spending the first year hiring a full-time staff of two assistants and then recruiting 117 players to suit up for the first day of practice, Barr exceeded all expectations in terms of wins and losses. His 2000 team went 3-6 against NCAA competition and featured a 30-0 victory over fellow first year program Averett College . Shenandoah is 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the Dixie after Saturday’s 35-20 triumph over Averett. SU will finish the season with a non-league game against Utica at home this Saturday and then go on the road to Dixie rival Methodist for a November 10 finale.

According to Dutton, the university will conduct a national search for a new head coach and hopes to have one in place by December 1. “We will talk with both Paul Barnes and Reed Prosser but I will be accepting resumes immediately. We understand how important this position is and will do everything possible to maintain the strong recruiting that has already been done by the current staff. We also want to keep all of the current players here and we think the best way to do that is to have the new coach in place before the end of the current semester.”

Barnes is the current Assistant Head Coach while Prosser rounds out the full-time staff as defensive coordinator.

For Barr, this is an end to an outstanding head coaching career. In 16+ college seasons, Barr has won 110 games and finished in the top half of the conference 13 times. He has coached numerous players who have moved onto successful coaching careers and one player – Wayne Wilson – who enjoyed an eight year NFL career.

“This was the biggest challenge of my career,” Barr said. “It was a great experience. Most of all, I enjoyed working with the student-athletes and I am very proud of the effort they have given us the last two years.

“When we started this (in 1999), I agreed to be a part of this program for three years. That time is now up and it’s time for me to move on.

“I have been very blessed with quality assistants, especially my full-time guys, Paul Barnes and Reed Prosser. They are outstanding coaches and work well with young people. I know they are going to be successful coaches for a long time to come.”

Barr will coach his final home game this Saturday against Utica . The university will honor Barr before the start of the contest and extends a special invitation to all of his former players to come to the game. Kickoff is 12:00 noon .