National Football Foundation

The late Bob Barry’s radio and television career in the state of Oklahoma spanned more than 50 years and provided fans of both major universities separate scrapbooks full of memorable moments. His professionalism was accented by his neutrality in a state where the listeners were often polarized.

Barry was the radio voice for the Oklahoma Sooners from 1961-72 and later from 1991 until his retirement after the 2010-11 basketball season. Between those stints, Barry was the radio voice of the rival Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1973-90 as a result of his station losing the OU games. He even did some University of Tulsa games on radio in the early 1970s.

“When he passed away people said only Bob Barry could pull it off,” said his son Bob Barry Jr., who will accept the award for his father. “Because of the way that he treated people fairly at both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, he was accepted on both campuses. All of those years he did Oklahoma State games, he maintained his residence in Norman … Doing OSU games, he would have his orange stuff on Saturday. During the week, he was Bob in Norman.”

The elder Barry, who passed away in October 2011, at the age of 80, was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. Before arriving in Norman, he attended Classen High School in nearby Oklahoma City. He played high school baseball, “walked on and then walked off at OU” in his words. He later coached and played some semi-pro baseball. He also served in the Air Force.

Beginning his broadcasting career in 1956 at KNOR in Norman by calling play-by-play for the Norman, Okla., high school football and basketball teams, Barry Sr. was later selected to do University of Oklahoma football games.

“He said the reason Bud Wilkinson (OU coach) picked him from 13 others, Bud had heard him doing Norman high school football games when he was trying to track down sons, Pat and Jay, and how they were doing,” Barry Jr. said. “He always thought that gave him a leg up when Wilkinson made his choice.”

A 15-time Oklahoma Sportscaster of the Year Award winner, Barry Sr. also is a member of the state of Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. He also has won several other broadcasting awards.

“He was our eyes when we couldn’t see; our voice when we were unable to speak; and our passion when we needed it expressed,” said Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione at the time of Barry Sr.’s death. “For 50 years, he made extraordinary contributions to build our wonderful Oklahoma tradition.”