LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION Posthumously honoring J. Michael Barr upon the
occasion of his induction into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge those
outstanding individuals from the sporting world who have distinguished
themselves through exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented
success and the highest level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to posthu-
mously honor J. Michael Barr upon the occasion of his induction into the
Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame, held on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the
Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre; and
WHEREAS, Former Utica Free Academy three-sport star J. Michael Barr; a
Central Oneida League All-Star and Most Valuable Player in more than one
sport, he was also a tremendous coach for over 25 years; and
WHEREAS, One of J. Michael Barr's major accomplishments to area sports
was the creation and development of Pop Warner Football in North Utica;
and
WHEREAS, When J. Michael Barr was a young man at 14, the Utica Free
Academy (UFA) football coach recognized his natural talent and made him
a starter on the Varsity football team; it was precursor of what was to
come; in four years at UFA (1949-1953), he would go on to earn letters
in three sports (baseball, football and basketball) and numerous awards
and accolades; and
WHEREAS, Few individuals made as much of an impact in local sports as
Barr; while an athlete at UFA, he would earn two Most Valuable Player
Awards in baseball, one in football and one in basketball; throughout
his four years, he was also a member of numerous All-Star squads,
continuously chosen because of his tremendous athletic prowess; he was
simply the quintessential three-sport icon of his generation; and
WHEREAS, After high school, J. Michael Barr would remain active in
participatory athletics, pitching on Sundays in a "Sunday League" and
also playing semi-professional basketball, baseball, and football; his
time on the semi-pro circuit was under the North Utica Athletic Associ-
ation banner; and
WHEREAS, J. Michael Barr would transfer the knowledge he learned as a
player to the youth of the area through being a coach and as an execu-
tive; as a coach, he taught children of all ages for over 25 years; from
little league to high school, numerous young men and women in the North
Utica area were under his tutelage; upon his passing in 2004, he was
remembered as one of the "best friends the sports world had in the
Mohawk Valley"; and
WHEREAS, As one of the finest executives in Central New York sports,
J. Michael Barr organized and coached in the Biddy Basketball League,
housed at Seymour School, for five years; most significant, was his
implementation of his dream of a Pop Warner football program in North
Utica beginning in 1958; known for the last 45 plus years of his life as
"Mr. Pop Warner," he coached the North Utica Black Knights for 25 years,
including an unbeaten streak of five years where his teams went 29-0;
and
WHEREAS, Because of his dedication to and concern for Pop Warner foot-
ball, J. Michael Barr was appointed Commissioner and President of the
Tri-County Pop Warner Football Association in 1978 and served until his
retirement in 1989; and
WHEREAS, The careers of the inductees of the Greater Utica Sports Hall
of Fame provide a legacy of commitment and excellence, bringing them

distinction as well as serving as models of inspiration to all who would
aspire to growth and success; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor J. Michael Barr posthumously upon the occasion of his induction
into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of J. Michael Barr.