Hingham Youth Basketball
Hingham Youth Basketball is committed to the development of great teammates and hard workers while learning the beautiful game of basketball.
Who Was John Barker?
After three years of service in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Radioman 2nd class in WWII, Mr. Barker enrolled in Springfield College, Springfield, MA. There he earned his Bachelors Degree in 1950 and later his Master of Science Degree. His Master’s thesis was titled “A Mechanical Analysis of the Two-Handed Set Shot in Basketball”. While at Springfield he played four years of basketball under coach John W. Bunn.
Old Town High School in Old Town, Maine was Coach Barker’s first position as teacher of Social Studies and coach of basketball. It was a banner year for the Old Town Indians. They won the State of Maine championship and participated in the New England Basketball Championship at Boston Garden.
In 1956, Coach Barker accepted a coaching position at Spaulding High School in Barre, VT. The following year a position opening at Hingham High School brought Coach Barker and his family back to the South Shore of Boston. He was well loved and respected for the next ten years as a Physical Education teacher and basketball coach.
Coach Barker’s death, November 19, 1967 was deeply felt by his family, students teachers and friends. It is an honor to his memory that the John Barker Basketball League continues in the traditions of good sportsmanship and hard work that he so valued.