Oct. 20, 2010
OP-ED: WVU Takes Major Step to Recognize Unsung Heroes with Induction of Eddie Barrett Into Sports Hall of Fame
By Rene A. Henry
Seattle, WA (Special to HNN) – Sports information directors are the unsung and all too often unrecognized champions of college sports. But last weekend, West Virginia University took a major step to change that stereotype when it honored Edgar O. “Eddie” Barrett of Huntington.
Barrett was inducted in the 20th class of honorees in the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. He was the Mountaineers’ sports information director from 1951-1967 with the exception of two years when he was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, He left Morgantown to become director of athletics at Marshall University when he was 36 years old and was the youngest person to head a major college athletic program.
Sports information directors, more commonly called SIDs, are responsible for building, promoting communicating the achievements of and protecting the image and reputation of college coaches, athletes, teams, and programs. Every year there are scores of outstanding athletes who deserve recognition as all-conference, all-America or all-whatever, but the ones honored are the ones who have been the beneficiaries of successful promotional campaigns that created visibility and recognition and garnered votes.
When fans complain about their favorite team being slighted in the weekly football or basketball polls, it most likely is because the voters responsible may be more aware of the success of those ranked higher because an SID has made it possible.
The sports information department is the most overworked, understaffed and underfunded of any in the athletic department. It also serves all of the publics of the department – athletes, their parents, coaches, students, faculty, administration, fans, donors, and the media. While those in responsible leadership positions should know better, all too often they, the coaches and the athletes just take the department for granted and know that the job will get done.
The SID creates all of the materials that keep the fans informed from game programs and news releases to interactive websites. The SID creates materials the coaches use for recruiting. Materials used daily by the media are possible because of the SID. No journalist today would have the time to research specific records, scores, achievements and historical information that are all packaged in various ways in media guides and on the Internet. The SID creates the necessary attention and interest that sell tickets to games, create recognition for television coverage and rights fees, and have a direct impact on the athletic director’s bottom line profits.
It took WVU some 40 years to recognize Barrett for not only his accomplishments at WVU but during his professional career. Two members of theselection committee who helped make it happen were directly aware of his contributions – Fred Wyant, possibly the greatest quarterback in Mountaineer history, and Mickey Furfari, the legendary sports writer and former editor of the Morgantown Dominion News. Both benefited from Barrett’s efforts. Because of the relationship the SID has with sportswriters and broadcasters, WVU recognizes its current and former SIDs by prominently displaying their framed photographs in the press box of Puskar Stadium.
Barrett, who lives with his wife Betty, a former mayor of Huntington, left Marshall in 1970 to join Pepsi-Cola and then was successful in the insurance business, receiving numerous honors for his work.
Almost every college and university has a sports hall of fame. However, few have ever honored their SIDs for their efforts and career achievements. The selection committees at more institutions should follow the leadership of West Virginia and give recognition to their behind-the-scenes heroes who make success and recognition so possible.
Link to WVU story on Eddie Barrett (pictured): http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=16663
Rene A. Henry, a native of Charleston, WV, is an author and writer who lives in Seattle. He was the SID at West Virginia University from 1954-1956 when Barrett was on active military duty. Henry previously had been in the same position at William & Mary from 1953-1954. When he served in the U.S. Army he was assigned to the athletic department at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Many of his commentaries are posted on his website at www.renehenry.com.
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OP-ED: WVU Takes Major Step to Recognize Unsung Heroes with Induction of Eddie Barrett Into Sports Hall of Fame
By Rene A. Henry
Seattle, WA (Special to HNN) – Sports information directors are the unsung and all too often unrecognized champions of college sports. But last weekend, West Virginia University took a major step to change that stereotype when it honored Edgar O. “Eddie” Barrett of Huntington.
Barrett was inducted in the 20th class of honorees in the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. He was the Mountaineers’ sports information director from 1951-1967 with the exception of two years when he was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, He left Morgantown to become director of athletics at Marshall University when he was 36 years old and was the youngest person to head a major college athletic program.
Sports information directors, more commonly called SIDs, are responsible for building, promoting communicating the achievements of and protecting the image and reputation of college coaches, athletes, teams, and programs. Every year there are scores of outstanding athletes who deserve recognition as all-conference, all-America or all-whatever, but the ones honored are the ones who have been the beneficiaries of successful promotional campaigns that created visibility and recognition and garnered votes.
When fans complain about their favorite team being slighted in the weekly football or basketball polls, it most likely is because the voters responsible may be more aware of the success of those ranked higher because an SID has made it possible.
The sports information department is the most overworked, understaffed and underfunded of any in the athletic department. It also serves all of the publics of the department – athletes, their parents, coaches, students, faculty, administration, fans, donors, and the media. While those in responsible leadership positions should know better, all too often they, the coaches and the athletes just take the department for granted and know that the job will get done.
The SID creates all of the materials that keep the fans informed from game programs and news releases to interactive websites. The SID creates materials the coaches use for recruiting. Materials used daily by the media are possible because of the SID. No journalist today would have the time to research specific records, scores, achievements and historical information that are all packaged in various ways in media guides and on the Internet. The SID creates the necessary attention and interest that sell tickets to games, create recognition for television coverage and rights fees, and have a direct impact on the athletic director’s bottom line profits.
It took WVU some 40 years to recognize Barrett for not only his accomplishments at WVU but during his professional career. Two members of theselection committee who helped make it happen were directly aware of his contributions – Fred Wyant, possibly the greatest quarterback in Mountaineer history, and Mickey Furfari, the legendary sports writer and former editor of the Morgantown Dominion News. Both benefited from Barrett’s efforts. Because of the relationship the SID has with sportswriters and broadcasters, WVU recognizes its current and former SIDs by prominently displaying their framed photographs in the press box of Puskar Stadium.
Barrett, who lives with his wife Betty, a former mayor of Huntington, left Marshall in 1970 to join Pepsi-Cola and then was successful in the insurance business, receiving numerous honors for his work.
Almost every college and university has a sports hall of fame. However, few have ever honored their SIDs for their efforts and career achievements. The selection committees at more institutions should follow the leadership of West Virginia and give recognition to their behind-the-scenes heroes who make success and recognition so possible.
Link to WVU story on Eddie Barrett (pictured): http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=16663
Rene A. Henry, a native of Charleston, WV, is an author and writer who lives in Seattle. He was the SID at West Virginia University from 1954-1956 when Barrett was on active military duty. Henry previously had been in the same position at William & Mary from 1953-1954. When he served in the U.S. Army he was assigned to the athletic department at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Many of his commentaries are posted on his website at www.renehenry.com.
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