Former ‘Burg coach selected to OHSBCA Hall of Fame

[4thgoal]

January 8, 2015
Alex Hider
[email protected]

With over 400 career victories, 11 SOC II championships, three state final four appearances and two AP District Coach of the Year titles, former Wheelersburg head coach Tom Barrick has solidified himself as a coaching legend in southern Ohio. Now, the rest of the state is taking notice.

In October, Barrick was approved for induction into the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) Hall of Fame along with three other former coaches. Barrick will be formally inducted in a ceremony in Columbus on April 18.

“It’s very humbling,” he said. “There’s a lot better coaches out there that have not been as fortunate as me. To have the opportunity to be a part of this organization has been great for me.”

The announcement comes just months after Barrick was named to a nine-member executive board with the National High School Basketball Coaches Association.

“It’s been a tremendous year. I’ve really been fortunate, and I’ve been fortunate for a long time in the coaching profession,” he said.

Barrick said he was approached by a few of his friends during the summer who were interested in nominating him for a spot in the Hall. After his nomination was approved by a district board of directors, his information was passed along to OHSBCA’s Hall of Fame committee, who chose him among a number of applicants.

Barrick is in good company with his fellow inductees. He’s worked closely with all three of the others members of the Class of 2015 (Jerry Sigler, former girls basketball coach at Sylvania Northview; Paul Wayne, former boys basketball coach at Holgate and Karen Wittrock, former girls coach at Lutheran West), either through his extensive work with the OHSBCA or through his involvement on the board of the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.

In fact, both he and Wayne were in the room when OHSBCA announced their selections for the 29th Hall of Fame Class.

“It was quite a shock,” Barrick said. “It’s quite a humbling experience to be sitting there in front of your peers when they announced the class. That was a unique experience.”

The Coshocton, Ohio native began his coaching career in 1985 as an assistant coach at Fort Frye High School. A year later, Barrick landed his first head coaching job at Jewett-Scio High School, which later combined as part of Harrison Central High School.

After four year stints at both Jewett-Scio and Morgan High School, Barrick accepted the head coaching position at Wheelersburg. He made an immediate impact at his new job, taking his first Pirate team all the way to the state finals. He would return to the final four twice more, in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, Barrick also took home the OHSBCA’s Coach of the Year title.

In his 19 seasons at Wheelersburg, Barrick finished with a 339-113 record, the winningest basketball coach in school history.

Though his list of coaching accomplishments continues to grow, Barrick is most proud of the impact he’s had on his former athletes.

“The kids I was fortunate enough to interact with at that time was the thing that was the most rewarding,” Barrick said. “From the outside, if you’re not a coach, a lot of times it’s the wins and losses and the awards. But those things are a far cry from just the kids.

“Fifteen years ago, I may not have said that or realized that. But now, at this point, you reflect back, and you get to see those kids and all the good things that they’ve done. It’s a great reflection.”

Reach Alex Hider at 740-353-3101 ext. 1931 or on Twitter @PDTSportsWriter

[4thgoal]

I know some people had mixed emotions about Coach Barrick, but I always believed he made the most of the teams he had. The style of play was not always the most exciting to watch, but winning 11 SOC titles in 19 years and winning 75% of the games he coached is hard to argue with.

[pfloyd]

Well deserved honor for Coach Barrick … over 400 games won, over 75% wins vs losses … 11 SOC Championships … it is/was a no brainer … Coach Barrick coached to WIN - I KNOW that sounds obvious BUT Coach Barrick was coaching for "style" points - fundamentally sound TEAMS offensively and defensively - if that meant his teams scored in the mid 40's to mid 50's so be it - it's about the "W" not throwing 75 points on the board/not playing defense … I admire the Coaches such as Coach Barrick who coach/teach the game … Congratulations to Coach Barrick from this hoops fan in the Land of the Purple in Hocking County …

[roxanna fry]

I know some people had mixed emotions about Coach Barrick, but I always believed he made the most of the teams he had. The style of play was not always the most exciting to watch, but winning 11 SOC titles in 19 years and winning 75% of the games he coached is hard to argue with.

Couldn't agree more; one of the best coaches I've seen over the years. Don't know him personally, but happy to see him get this recognition. Truly felt his teams always played team basketball and that is so rare in today's game. Congrats Coach!

[Raiderball]

Congrats!

[86LancerLover]

I remember coach way back in his days of coaching the Morgan Raiders, congrats!

[lrn4lf]

Congratulations Coach Barrick! Well deserved!

[Jay Bruce]

Congrats to Coach Barrick who always produced excellent Wheelersburg teams. Wonder if the people in Wheelersburg are wishing he was still coaching there? It seems like they didn't really appreciate what they had with Coach Barrick.

[Jtaylor304]

He's now with Sciotoville East!!

[mister b]

A well deserved honor.

[fbnut]

Congrats to Coach Barrick who always produced excellent Wheelersburg teams. Wonder if the people in Wheelersburg are wishing he was still coaching there? It seems like they didn't really appreciate what they had with Coach Barrick.

He was a great coach but it was time for a change for everyone involved. Burg is very lucky to have their current coach.

[alabama mike]

Congrats to Coach Barrick on his selection to the HOF. This is an outstanding honor for an excellent basketball coach and friend.

[Mad-Dogg]

Congrats to Coach Barrick on his selection to the HOF. This is an outstanding honor for an excellent basketball coach and friend.

well said bama. great coach and great person. this is a well desrrved honor