This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: McClure, Anderson, Farrow Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5139/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Las Cruces resident Barry McClure was remembered Wednesday as a champion who coached others to be champions in sports and especially in life. McClure, 59, died late last week at his home, and a memorial service was conducted in the chapel at Getz Funeral Home. "He's a good person with a good understanding of people," said Orin Richburg, coach of the New Mexico State University women's track and field team. McClure was a volunteer assistant coach the past two years at NMSU, working with long jumpers. McClure was a seven time All-American and a two time national triple-jump champion in the early 1970s at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesburo, Tenn. He was the first MTSU track athlete to receive All-American honors after the university's athletics program joined the NCAA in 1965. McClure was a two-time NCAA triple jump champion and U.S. record holder in that event from 1970 through 1973. He was the first of many triple and long jumpers to train and compete for longtime MTSU coach Dean Hayes. "He really was the beginning of our program's claim to fame as a jump school," said Hayes, in a story published on MTSU's athletics website, www.goblueraiders.com. "At the time, the university was just trying to get its feet under itself socially and in athletics. As an African-American athlete to win multiple NCAA titles, he was very big deal on and off the track." McClure was also an important figure in the integration of Middle Tennessee's athletic program during the 1970s. He was inducted into MTSU's athletics Hall of Fame in 1996. According to goblueraiders.com, McClure and teammate Tommy Haynes changed the triple jump from a relatively obscure event into one of track and field's marquee events. "The triple jump was not a big-time event at that time," said Haynes, of the early 1970s. "Barry and Tommy developed different techniques, which is now what we called plyometrics, we still teach to our athletes today. It really used to be a show, watching the two of them compete together." McClure ended his MTSU career with an NCAA record in the triple jump and the sixth-longest leap in the history of U.S. track and field. "When he and I came (to NMSU) three years ago we had one or two jumpers," Richburg said. "We'll go to a meet this weekend at the University of New Mexico and we'll have seven who will compete. "He brought a great upside, a very positive personality that athletes related well with. Two of our alumni returned to pay their respects when they heard that Barry had died. ... When I told (longtime track star and Olympian) Al Joiner that Barry died last week, his knees kind of buckled." McClure was the owner and consultant of MAC'S Inc., a business specializing in golf outings. He retired in Las Cruces after a lengthy military career. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. for more than 30 years, and served as a board member of the fraternity's El Paso-Las Cruces alumni chapter. He was also a board member of the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association, and was an avid golfer. McClure was born on Dec. 3, 1951, in Carrollton, Ga. He is survived by his wife, Gwenda McClure, his mother in-law, Gloria Farrow; sisters in-law Margaret McClure, Claudette Farrow, Audra Taylor and Gina Harroo; brother-in-law Rodney Farrow; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and golf buddies. Barry was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Frances Anderson, brother, William H. McClure and son, Barry Lamour McClure, Jr. Barry leaves to mourn a devoted wife, Mrs. Gwenda McClure; mother-in-law, Mrs. Gloria Farrow; sister-in-law, Mrs. Margaret McClure; brother-in-law, Mr. Rodney Farrow and wife Claudette; sister-in-law, Ms. Audra Taylor; sister-in-law, Ms. Gina Harroo; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, golfing buddies; and best friends. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions in McClure's honor be made to Barry McClure Junior Gold Scholarship Fund No. 151298 at White Sands Federal Credit Union. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.