Barry, "Sam" (Justin M.)
Basketball
b. Dec. 17, 1892, Aberdeen, SD
d. Sept. 23, 1950
Barry was a very successful college coach, but his biggest contribution to basketball may have been the present rule that allows the team that has been scored against to take possession of the ball at the baseline under its own basket.
Until 1937, a center jump was held at mid-court after each score. Teams often had one tall player whose sole purpose was to win the tip and regain possession. Barry began campaigning for a new rule in 1928. Other coaches joined the campaign but many of them, including Nat Holman, felt the team that had scored should be rewarded with possession of the ball, and some wanted the ball to be put in play from out of bounds at mid-court. When the National Basketball Committee finally eliminated the center jump in 1937, Barry's view prevailed.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Barry coached high school basketball, then went to Knox College in Illinois and to the University of Iowa. He had his greatest success at the University of Southern California, from 1930 through 1941 and 1946 through 1950. Three of his players, Alex Hannum, Bill Sharman, and Tex Winter, became outstanding coaches. Barry's college teams won 365 games, losing 217.
Barry also coached the USC baseball team, winning the NCAA championship in 1948, and was an assistant football coach. He died of a heart attack shortly before a football game that he was going to scout.