The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
03.12.2019 | Texas Relays, Track & Field / Cross Country
The Texas Relays Meet Director will be honored at this year’s event.
AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Texas Athletics Department has announced that James Barr, Assistant Athletics Director for Game Operations and Meet Director of the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, will honored as the 2019 Honorary Referee. Barr has been at UT for 16 years and this will mark his 12th year serving as the Relays Meet Director.
"James has poured his heart and soul into the Texas Relays for years and we are thrilled to be honoring him at this year's meet," UT Vice President/Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said. "He is passionate, dedicated, loyal and as hard of a worker as you'll ever be around. James is truly a servant leader and always does it with a great attitude and a smile. The Texas Relays is the perfect place to honor him because he loves managing what is one of the nation's premier track & field events and represents us at the highest level in doing that."
In his current role, Barr spearheads all gameday and event operations for Texas Football and the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays while overseeing the event operations department for all 20 sports programs. He was named the USA Track & Field Meet Director of the Year in 2013 and will serve as the Meet Director for the 2019 and 2020 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships hosted by UT at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
He serves as the main liaison between the Longhorns' track & field program and many campus and external units, especially related to the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. He also assists the UIL in supporting its annual State Track & Field Championships at Myers Stadium.
"I am overwhelmingly humbled and honored to serve as Honorary Referee for the 92nd edition of the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays," Barr said. "The Texas Relays is the premier outdoor track and field event in the United States, annually. All that have competed in, served and supported it for the better part of a century are to be collaboratively represented with this award each year. Our University, Athletics Department, Track & Field Program, UT Track & Field Officials Association and all volunteers, our city, our state, USA Track & Field, all International Track & Field programs and so many others make this event what it is."
Since 2008, Barr has spearheaded incredible participation growth in the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. The meet has grown from approximately 5,000 athletes to over 7,500 athletes annually in the last 10 years. The meet generally draws student-athletes from more than 45 states and 20 countries. The meet typically draws participation from over 800 high schools with more than 5,000 athletes entered at that level.
"To be mentioned in the same breath with former Honorary Referees like President Gregory L. Fenves, L. Theo Bellmont, Darrell K Royal, DeLoss Dodds, Mike A. Myers, Rooster Andrews, former Texas Governors, dear friends: Randy Yarbrough, Mike Korth, Bill Melton, John Drolla, Scooter Auld, Chester Bradley, Carlette Guidry, and Mike Perrin is unfathomable to me," Barr continued. "I can't thank Chris Del Conte, Edrick Floréal and all that represent everything that's great about Track & Field and our University enough for this honor. I love and thank my family, friends, and staff for their support, and look forward to serving and supporting our best Relays ever!"
Barr has been integral in continuing and developing great relationships with the UIL, NCAA and USATF in addition to international federations and organizations. The meet has become known for its hospitality and the way participants, coaches and fans are treated while on the Forty Acres. The meet has been at the forefront in the way that it does the selection process and determines Relays qualifiers over the years. The Relays are aligned with the NCAA on how it operates and creates its qualifiers, a point that Barr takes great pride in.
"James is so deserving of this honor - not only because of what he's done for the Relays but because of what he does for Texas," UT head coach Edrick Floréal said. "To be around for so long and to do as well has he has done all these years, I think it's a great decision and he's very deserving. We are looking forward to honoring him at the Relays here in a few weeks."
Barr, who grew up the son of a high school Athletics Director and Coach in Tennessee, has spent the majority of his life around track & field. He is married to his wife, Beth, and the couple has two kids - daughter, Molly Kate and son, William.
