“Jimmie” James David Barnes Jr.
Born: 1908 in Oberlin, Ohio
Died: March 31, 1935 in Petersburg, Virginia
Family: Wife: Phyllis (died, 1991). Son: James Franklin Barnes. Grandchildren: Teresa Barnes; Deborah Barnes-Josiah; David James Barnes. Five great-grandchildren.
Athletic highlights
Oberlin High School
Track and field
1925, Class B state runner-up, 440 yards
1925, Class B state runner-up, 100 yards
1926, Class B state runner-up, 440 yards
Basketball
1925: Team member of Class B state runner-up team
1926: Team member of Class B state championship team
Oberlin College
Set three Ohio Conference records his sophomore year at the 1928 Big Six meet. The records were: 9.8 for 100 yards, 21.0 for 220 yards, plus as a member of the mile relay (3:20) that included Wilder, Miller and Harrer. He anchored the mile relay with a 48.3 split.
Held school track and field records for 100 yards (9.8), 220 yards (21.0), high hurdles, long jump (22-4) and as a member of the mile relay (3:20). He was track team captain his senior year.
A three-year member of the varsity track and varsity basketball. He was a star end on the 1928 varsity football team.
Coached by Dan Kinsey, a 1924 U.S. Olympic gold medalist and a 2009 inductee of the Lorain County Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame.
Professional highlights
1931-35: Department head, associate professor of physical education department and coach for basketball, football and track at Virginia State College for Negroes (now Virginia State University). Previously, there was no regular physical education department at the college.
Hall of Fame, other honors
1988: Oberlin College Heisman Club
1936: Oberlin College class of 1930 started the James Barnes Track Trophy, to annually recognize the best all-around athlete on the track team. His brother, Sam, was the award’s first recipient.
Street is named for Barnes on the Virginia State University campus.
Education
1926: Oberlin High School
1930: Oberlin College – bachelor of arts degree
1934: University of Michigan, master of arts degree