Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee 1979

Previous to the 1937 rule change, each score was followed by a jump ball at center court. Sam Barry is credited with the campaign leading to the present day rule allowing teams to take possesion of the ball at the baseline after they have been scored against. Barry coached collegiate ball at Knox College in Illinois, the University of Iowa and at the University of Southern California, where he had his greatest success. He had a collegiate record of 365 wins and 217 losses. Barry led the Iowa Hawkeyes to their first ever Big 10 Championships in 1923 and 1926. He then led USC to Pacific Coast Conference Titles in 1930, 1935 and 1940. Barry also coached the Trojans to nine PCC Baseball titles. Bill Sharman, Alex Hannun and Tex Winter were three of Barry's players who went on to outstanding coaching careers of their own. Barry is one of only three coaches to take teams to the Final Four & College World Series.

Died September 25, 1950