To many, 1995 Branford Sports Hall of Fame inductee Barbara Langdale Barker was much more than just a teacher.\u00a0 She was an advisor, a councilor, a coach, and more importantly, a friend to many in the community.\u00a0 Through her unselfish efforts, Barbara provided Branford with an ideal role model for many years.<\/p>\n
Born on August 22, 1914, Barbara attended Branford High School and graduated in 1930 as the salutatorian of her graduating class.\u00a0 Upon graduation, she attended Pembroke College in Providence, Rhode Island from 1930 to 1934 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.<\/p>\n
Upon her graduation from college, Barbara taught one year at Plainville High School from 1935 to 1936 before she married Harold (Ski) Barker and later had a son, David.\u00a0 After their bond in marriage, she began playing tennis.\u00a0 She was the New Haven City tennis champion for two years and was also crowned the New Haven Tennis Association and Branford champion for several years as well as winning numerous mixed double crowns with her husband.<\/p>\n
Barbara\u2019s love for tennis inspired her to establish and coach the sport during her 23 years as an English and Business English teacher at Branford High School.\u00a0 She helped organize the Branford High School Tennis Club for the original purpose of enjoying and improving tennis techniques and sponsored a tournament each fall composed of boys singles, girls singles and mixed doubles sets.\u00a0 She was the initial force behind setting up the Housatonic tennis leagues for boys and girls which are still going strong today in the new Southern Connecticut Conference era.<\/p>\n
In addition to teaching, Barbara was the advisor of the Branford High School paper, \u201cThe Hornet\u201d in 1948.\u00a0 She was recognized for her unceasing efforts in helping the Junior Class and as a tribute to Barbara\u2019s support, the 1960 Milestone yearbook was dedicated to her.<\/p>\n
Barbara Langdale Barker passed away on February 3, 1972.\u00a0 \u201cIf she was here today, I\u2019m sure she would say it would be an honor to be included in the company of such great athletes.\u00a0 My mother would be pleased to be recognized as one of the early women athletes inducted into the Branford Sports Hall of Fame.\u00a0 She would be smiling, knowing that she achieved this award,\u201d said her son David Barker.<\/p>\n
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