James Barber gave 58 years of dedicated service to Southern Connecticut in a variety of roles, but first started as a student-athlete in the 1960s – playing both football and track & field. He went on to coach SCSU track & field for 25 years, training 75 All-Americans. He also coached both the men’s and women’s USA track teams at national and international championships. Barber launched the Southern Educational Opportunity Program (SEOP) in 1971, which opened the door to a college degree for many minority students. He founded New Haven’s track & field outreach program for young people, working with more than 4,000 children and youth over the years. He received the Service Award for Colleges and Universities from the U.S. Women’s Track Coaches Association in 2000. Barber received the President’s Medal of Distinction in 2022 from Southern Connecticut and was voted the NE10’s male finalist for the NCAA Division II 50th Anniversary Gold Award for his many contributions over the years as a coach, administrator and as an advocate for the Southern Connecticut community.