Follow me on:
Bob Barry Jr. is Oklahoma's NewsChannel 4's Sports Director and weeknight sports anchor. He joined the station as a weekend sports anchor in August of 1982. Prior to that he worked as sports anchor at KAUZ-TV in Wichita Falls, Texas. He began his career in Oklahoma City in 1980 as the Sports Director for KAUT-TV, Channel 43.
In addition to Bob's duties at NewsChannel 4, he has hosted a talk radio show "Sports Morning" on Oklahoma City's popular WWLS-AM/FM "The Sports Animal" since 1993. He has hosted several coaches shows for both the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University since his radio career started when he was a Norman High School sophomore in 1973.
Bob is very active in sports charity. He created the NewsChannel 4 basketball team, "The Foul Shots" back in the early 80's. After serving as the team's head coach and general manager, Bob also holds the Foul Shots career record for most 3-point shots attempted...and missed...in a long, storied career.
Since 1982, "The Foul Shots" have helped raise more than $1 million for various charities and school systems across the state of Oklahoma.
Bob's work as a sportscaster is widely recognized. The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association voted him "Oklahoma Sportscaster of the Year" five times now...in 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Jim Thorpe Association awarded Bob the "Executive Council Service Award" for his positive contribution to the Association. And the NewsChannel 4 sportscaster was honored as "Oklahoma's Sportscaster of the Year" by the American Women in Radio and TV organization.
A native of Norman, Bob is a 1980 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Radio/TV/Film-Journalism. He and his wife Gina have four children and live in Edmond.
Hometown: Norman, OK
Life Goal: to take care of all I'm responsible for...then retire to a remote island and tend bar on the beach
Play any Sports: I played 'em all as a kid. I like basketball better than the rest
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights
Favorite car: My 1st...1973 Chevrolet Vega; white with snot green stripe all the way around, killer 8-track tape player
Most embarrassing moment: My first year at KFOR, when I announced on the air that Barry Switzer had resigned as OU's football coach...as an April Fools joke in 1983. One problem...I forgot to say "April Fools" on-air. So many believers! Thought I would be fired.
Happiest moment in my life was: of course, marrying the lovely Gina and the birth of all my kids...great times!
4 notable persons you'd invite to dinner: Larry Bird, Neil Armstrong, the late great Jim McKay, Big Bob Barry
Favorite food: either a burger from Sooner Dairy Lunch in Norman...or Gina & Shirley's fried chicken
I have a pet: Mia, the most adorable Yorkie EVER. I wish I had a cat. I grew up with them all over the house but Gina isn't on-board just yet
Knew I wanted to be a reporter when: I started hangin' out with my Dad at a VERY early age. Went to games with him, kept stats, visited him at WKY-TV all the time.
Best movie(s) of all time: Animal House, The Right Stuff, Apollo 13
Hardest part of my job: The hours - I've missed A LOT of fun times with my kids & family and missed many holidays
