COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - USA Archery is proud to recognize Tom Barker with the JOAD Award. This award was established in 1985 to recognize those instrumental in the promotion of the JOAD Program. The award will be presented at the 2016 USA Archery Awards dinner at Outdoor Nationals in Decatur, Alabama.
Tom Barker is the founder of the South Texas JOAD club and for 22 years has devoted his life to promoting youth archery. Barker has coached archers who have earned 36 international podium finishes, 50 National Championship events, made 17 USAT teams and set 10 world records.
Barker began his archery career when his son decided to pick up the sport: "I never shot a bow in my life until my son, 8 at the time, showed an interest in archery. That was 22 years ago. I started reading and asking as many questions as I could to learn and help. After a year, my daughter joined us in archery. They did well competitively but what I found more meaningful was that archery was the perfect conduit for teaching life skills to my children and eventually to other children."
"In 2006 when I received the USA Archery Volunteer Coach of the year and was announced as a finalist for USOC Volunteer Coach of the year I thought that was the greatest award possible," commented Barker. "I was wrong. This is the greatest honor in my life to be recognized for my body of work of making a difference with the kids I have worked with, the coaches and instructors I have certified and the parents I have served. This award, while it may have my name on it, also belongs to each one of those kids, instructors and parents I was lucky enough to work with. I am very happy to be honored as a stable bow for delivering straight arrows."
In addition to an impressive coaching resume, Barker has trained and certified many USA Archery instructors and coaches. Barker was the vice president and JOAD coordinator of the Texas State Archery Association for many years and was instrumental in structuring a way to help archers transition from 4H into JOAD. Barker's coaching philosophy emphasizes values and skills that extend past the archery range including how to deal with disappointment, overcome obstacles, respect others, and become a role model.
"Tom is a worthy recipient of the JOAD award. Not only has he done so much for the sport of archery and the JOAD program, he has taught so many people incredibly valuable lessons that extend well beyond the field. For this we all thank him and USA Archery is honored to recognize his service."
To learn more about the JOAD award, click here. To purchase tickets to the USA Archery Awards Dinner, click here. For questions about JOAD or coaching awards, please contact [email protected].
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