In wake of NJCAA violations, Barr resigns as SMSU-WP
basketball coach.
BY DENNIS CRIDER
Quill Staff Writer
Tom Barr, the only head coach the 11-year Southwest Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly basketball program has ever had, has resigned, according to a news release from the university.
During the interim, Assistant Coach Robert Guster will supervise the program.
It also was reported Barr’s last university-sponsored duty will be basketball camps scheduled for May 26 through 28. The university will immediately begin a search for his replacement, and qualifications for the position were posted Friday on Southwest Missouri State University’s web site at www.smsu.edu/human/vacancy.html.
Barr’s resignation comes in the wake of SMSU-West Plains self reporting to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) that Barr had violated NJCAA regulations by using a Booster Club member’s private airplane in his recruiting efforts and by giving players flights to their homes during spring break.
Barr could not be reached for comment today.
A settlement and general release form which Barr signed April 30 states Barr’s current contract with the university will expire June 30. It also points out Barr was given a period of seven days from April 30 in which he would have been able to revoke the settlement agreement.
After submitting the university’s report to the NJCAA, SMSU-West Plains was notified by the NJCAA that the basketball program had indeed been found in violation of multiple infractions.
“Tom Barr was a wonderful coach who did a wonderful job building the Grizzly basketball program,” SMSU-West Plains Chancellor Kent Thomas said today. “Now that he has resigned, we need to move forward, find a new coach and get on with the future. This is hard on the university and hard on Mr. Barr, but we believe we are doing the right thing and we will continue to do the right thing so we can continue to have a great Grizzly basketball program.”
Thomas said he submitted a letter to the NJCAA Friday telling them what self-imposed sanctions have been taken. “So we will wait now for the NJCAA to determine if future sanctions are necessary.” He added he will tell The Quill more about the self-imposed sanctions later this week.
Dr. Herb Lunday, SMSU-West Plains Athletic Director and Dean of Student Services, issued this statement today. “A winning basketball team is an essential part of the excellence we expect in the total Grizzly athletics program, so it’s time to work to locate the architect of the second chapter of Grizzly basketball. We have enjoyed the past, but be assured there are many wonderful days ahead.”
For more, read The Quill.
basketball coach.
BY DENNIS CRIDER
Quill Staff Writer
Tom Barr, the only head coach the 11-year Southwest Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly basketball program has ever had, has resigned, according to a news release from the university.
During the interim, Assistant Coach Robert Guster will supervise the program.
It also was reported Barr’s last university-sponsored duty will be basketball camps scheduled for May 26 through 28. The university will immediately begin a search for his replacement, and qualifications for the position were posted Friday on Southwest Missouri State University’s web site at www.smsu.edu/human/vacancy.html.
Barr’s resignation comes in the wake of SMSU-West Plains self reporting to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) that Barr had violated NJCAA regulations by using a Booster Club member’s private airplane in his recruiting efforts and by giving players flights to their homes during spring break.
Barr could not be reached for comment today.
A settlement and general release form which Barr signed April 30 states Barr’s current contract with the university will expire June 30. It also points out Barr was given a period of seven days from April 30 in which he would have been able to revoke the settlement agreement.
After submitting the university’s report to the NJCAA, SMSU-West Plains was notified by the NJCAA that the basketball program had indeed been found in violation of multiple infractions.
“Tom Barr was a wonderful coach who did a wonderful job building the Grizzly basketball program,” SMSU-West Plains Chancellor Kent Thomas said today. “Now that he has resigned, we need to move forward, find a new coach and get on with the future. This is hard on the university and hard on Mr. Barr, but we believe we are doing the right thing and we will continue to do the right thing so we can continue to have a great Grizzly basketball program.”
Thomas said he submitted a letter to the NJCAA Friday telling them what self-imposed sanctions have been taken. “So we will wait now for the NJCAA to determine if future sanctions are necessary.” He added he will tell The Quill more about the self-imposed sanctions later this week.
Dr. Herb Lunday, SMSU-West Plains Athletic Director and Dean of Student Services, issued this statement today. “A winning basketball team is an essential part of the excellence we expect in the total Grizzly athletics program, so it’s time to work to locate the architect of the second chapter of Grizzly basketball. We have enjoyed the past, but be assured there are many wonderful days ahead.”
For more, read The Quill.
