School board votes to name TRHS gymnasium for retired wrestling coach credited with decades of program leadership

The Timberlane Regional School District school board voted to name the Timberlane Regional High School gymnasium in honor of longtime wrestling coach and former director of school counseling Barry (name as submitted to the board).

Coach supporters, including current coach Tim Fitzpatrick and assistant coach Tyler, presented a packet of accomplishments and a prepared statement to the board describing the coach’s career and the rationale for the honor. Fitzpatrick said the naming would recognize not only competitive success — a career record the presenters described as extraordinary, including dozens of state championships and long winning streaks — but also the coach’s long emphasis on character development, inclusion of athletes with differing abilities, mentorship and lessons about perseverance.

Fitzpatrick read a prepared statement summarizing the coach’s record and the community impact of the program. Supporters told the board the coach helped forge a culture in which varsity athletes supported junior varsity teammates and where graduates credit the program with shaping their careers and lives.

Board members discussed the request and the board’s naming policy. Several members praised the coach’s record and character; one board member described the nominee as meeting a high bar for naming of district facilities. The board chair said the policy vetting process had been followed and that final signage and nomenclature (for example, whether to use a middle initial) would be confirmed with the coach and the superintendent before installation.

A motion to approve the naming passed by voice vote; the board did not record a roll‑call tally in the meeting minutes. Following the vote, board members said they would coordinate with the presenter to confirm exact wording for signage and bring that back to the board.