Volleyball Coaching Legend Honored as Woman of the Year

Posted Date: 06/03/2020

January 25, 2018—Legendary Amarillo High School volleyball coach Jan Barker was honored today as the Amarillo Globe-News Woman of the Year.

Barker became the head volleyball coach at Amarillo High in 1987 and wrapped up her last season in November. In her 31-year run as head coach, Barker made 14 state volleyball championship appearances and holds 10 state championship titles. By the end of the 2017 season, she had an astonishing 1,116 wins. In addition to these accomplishments, Barker has also coached 16 All-Americans and more than 100 of her players have gone on to play volleyball in college.

It is not only Barker’s presence on the court that has won her the award but her presence off the court as well.

“What really separates Jan is the character and integrity,” said AISD Athletic Director Brad Thiessen. “She has been an example to every girl she has mentored, and to the people around her. I have said before, we will replace the position, but we cannot replace Jan Barker.” 

Barker is not the first AISD employee to receive this eminent award. In 2015, former Superintendent Rod Schroder received the honor of Man of the Year. In addition to the Woman of the Year honor, Barker will also be inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in February.

Amarillo High volleyball coach Jan Barker accepts the Woman of the Year award in a ceremony at the Amarillo Civic Center on January 25, 2018.