Barry Whitcomb Pennsylvania Strength and Power HoF inductee 2023
By Strength and Power Hall of Fame
Barry’s interest in Olympic Weightlifting can be traced back to his high school physical education teacher at Charlton High School in Massachusetts. Coach Robert Burns taught Barry the lifts, gave him a training routine and introduced him to Strength and Health Magazine. He began competing in his junior year of high school working toward earning a trophy.
Barry continued to train and compete for the Southbridge YMCA. He achieved his first 1st place trophy on March 23, 1963 when he competed in the New England YMCA Championship meet's 165lb class earning a 1st place trophy with a 225 press,
220 snatch, 300 C&J for a 725 Total.
He continued competing placing 1st in April 1963 Brockton YMCA Open achieving Jr. New England Champ. Of course, he didn't always place 1st.
March 1964, he earned 1st place and Best Lifter trophies in the New England YMCA Championship. He achieved a gold medal for breaking the 181lb class records with a 260 press, 220 snatch, 320 C&J with an 800 total. February 20, 1965, he competed in the Boston Open placing 1st and breaking the all the New England AAU Records in the 181 lb class with 275 press, 235 snatch, 345 C&J, 855 total. I believe he was also awarded Best Lifter.
From 1961-1965 he majored in Physical Education Major at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He was President of the Weightlifting Club, competed for the university and put on several Demonstrations. These included Charlton High, Tantasqua Regional High School Sturbridge, MA, Mount Herman School for Boys, Warwick Elementary School and the University of Massachusetts Major’s Club.
After Barry graduated from the University of Massachusetts, he enrolled in the University of Maryland’s Graduate School working on his Master’s Degree in Physical Education and working for the university’s school of Physical Education as a graduate assistant. He served as the coach of the University of Maryland’s Weightlifting team. He also held some of the New England records in the 165- and 181-pound classes and most of the New England YMCA records. During this time he competed for York Barbell, wrote articles of Strength and Health, Iron Man and Muscular Development. He taught Physical Education at four elementary schools in Prince Georges County Maryland, earned his Master’s in Physical Education writing his Master's Thesis “A Cinematographical Analysis Of The Clean And Jerk Lift Used In Olympic Weightlifting “. He used the York Barbell Gym and fellow lifters as his study subjects.
Barry continued at the University of Maryland earning his doctorate and became a school administrator.
During his years lifting for York Barbell, he gave a number of demonstrations including two at The York Barbell Picnics, Princeton University 1966, the Naval Academy Annapolis, Springettsbury, PA Lion’s Club, Holly Park Elementary and Montpellier Elementary both in Prince George’s County, Temple Christian School in Montgomery County, and the Maryland State Penitentiary in Jessie, MD.
In addition, he won the gold medal in the 181-pound class at the AAU Sr.. Middle Atlantic Weight Championships at York, PA in 1966. Barry came in first February 1966 at the New England Boston YMCA Open and also, was awarded Best Lifter Trophy. He also placed first at the Junior National Championships held in San Jose, CA. breaking the 1961 total record. At the 1967 National YMCA Weightlifting Championships in Kansas City, Missouri he won First Place. In addition, he pressed 350 pounds at the Winston-Salem Open Championships, 13 pounds under the national record. He placed first in 1966 at the Camden Y Open and then placed first breaking the meet records in the C&J and total at the Delaware Valley Open. He placed 1st in 1967 at the Philadelphia YMCA Open and 1st in 1967 at the Colonial O. D. Open. 1968 he won Best Lifter and 1st at the Winston-Salem Open. He was honored to be presented a Status Medal by Rudy Sablo. He competed from 1961 through 1972.
Unfortunately, he contracted strep throat and failed to make his lifts at the 1968 Olympic Trials. God's purposes are always best.
From 1974-2000, Barry taught junior and senior high physical education that included a weightlifting section. He also coached a variety of high school teams. These included boys' and girls' basketball, soccer, volleyball and he coached the Puritan Weightlifting team.
Barry exemplified what a coach, role model and Christian example should be to the many young people he taught and coached.
After retiring, Barry continued faithfully lifting in his home gym until he was diagnosed with cancer and became too weakened from treatment.
Taken from a demonstration poster:
Barry Whitcomb
1966 2nd in United States
1967 National YMCA Champion
1966 Junior National Champion
1966 Middle Atlantic Champion
New England Champion
New England YMCA Champion
Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Fri Feb 03 20:59:44 UTC 2023 | Last Updated: Sun Dec 24 17:15:49 UTC 2023