TULSA, Okla. – The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters inducted Bob Barry Jr. into its Hall of Fame on Friday.
His family was there accept his induction into the OAB Hall of Fame at the annual awards dinner at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Starting in 1980, while at the University of Oklahoma as a journalism major calling high school football games, Bob’s enthusiasm was the hallmark for his prolific career.
He joined his father, Bob Barry, at NewsChannel 4 in Oklahoma City and, for 35 years, he forged his own way – uniquely changing the perspective on sports and the way it was reported.
Bob’s career was multi-dimensional due to his ‘switch-hitting’ role as a daily reporter / anchor for both radio and television.
His shows on WWLS AM/FM (The Sports Animal) were amongst their highest rated, and his nightly appearances on KFOR gave the entire market comfort that the sports world had the perfect man reporting on the events.
Bob was named Oklahoma Sportscaster of the year six times and won countless awards as the most respected sportscaster of his time.
OAB wrote what Bob meant to Oklahoma media in a statement announcing his induction in December 2015.
“Bobby was Oklahoma sports. Every viewer or listener knew that, if ‘Junior’ talked about something, it was not only important, but it would be interesting.”
“His rapport with athletes, university executives, coaches and especially fans made him the guy we all cheered for. His audience was boundless because he was universally loved by all who watched or heard him.”
“But, even more, impressive was the love all Oklahomans had for the Barry family and Bob’s generosity and caring. Bob Barry Jr. made sports fun, and he made broadcasting a better business.”
Unfortunately, Bob was lost to a tragic vehicular accident in June of 2015.
A few NewsChannel 4 anchors and reporters were at the ceremony last evening to share their reflections on Bob’s induction.
