Hall of Fame
Vincent Barry played a major role in the success that athletics enjoyed on Bell Island as a coach and especially as an organizer and administrator. His hard work and willingness to devote many, many hours to track and field on Bell Island were extremely valuable between 1948 and 1961.
A native of Red Island, Placentia Bay, Vincent Barry taught school on Merasheen Island and Oderin, eventually moving to Bell Island as a teacher at St. Kevin´s School where he became principal.
He had a deep love for sports and he coached his school´s hockey and soccer teams to many championships. However, his commitment extended beyond his own school and he was instrumental in organizing sporting activities between various schools on the Island.
He became deeply involved in Bell Island´s very prominent track and field program as a participant and coach/manager.
As an organizer, he devoted a great deal of time to arranging the many vital details that allowed provincial track and field championships to be held annually during mid-August on Bell Island.
It is through his detailed efforts that all aspects of the track facility were kept in top condition and were available for the large variety of events that constituted the championship meets. He was responsible for ensuring that the necessary equipment for discus, javelin, shot put, high jump and pole vault events were all available and in usable condition.
Organizing these meets also required arranging transportation, through complimentary boat tickets, for the athletes, coaches, managers and officials who travelled to Bell Island for the competition. It further required that complimentary lunches and suppers were provided for these people and that they all received a necessary ticket.
Finally he was responsible for the awards and the awards dance that was necessary for presentation to the various winners. This was an important responsibility and one the Vince Barry fulfilled very successfully.
The commitment and dedication demonstrated by Vince Barry made him a fitting entrant to the Bell Island Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
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