Barbara Charske (2016)
Ed Barker Recipient
About Barbara Charske
The Ed Barker Award is given as an acknowledgement to the individual who has shown the most exceptional service to the OAT&CCC and to the sports of Cross Country and Track & Field in Ohio. This year’s winner is Barb Charske. Barb has over four decades of service and dedication coupled with a desire to see our sports continually grow for the betterment of athletes in our charge. Her roles as coach, registered official, and meet administrator have been models for young people entering our sport. Her volunteerism to the OATCCC at events including the Mideast Meet and its celebratory events as well as the Midwest Meet of Champions and the annual Clinic has been invaluable to the success of these endeavors. The athletes of Kettering Fairmont High School were the beneficiaries of her coaching expertise where she served as the distance coach from 1994-1999. The rest of the state has been the beneficiary of her officiating expertise, especially in the high jump where she is recognized and appreciated by athletes from all around Ohio. She has officiated every age group from junior high dual meets to high school invitationals and up to and including numerous roles at the OHSAA State Championships. Additionally, Barb has helped officiate the Dayton River Corridor Road Race as well as Masters’ level track events and the Senior Olympics. In 2003, Barb helped coordinate the AAU Age Group National Championship held in Kettering. Barb has been a frequent presenter at local Southwest District officials’ clinics and is widely respected as an official who has an extensive knowledge of the rules and their proper application, who applies those rules consistently and fairly, but who also believes in and promotes preventative officiating. She is respected by everyone with whom she comes in contact and is truly and ambassador of track and field in the State of Ohio. Therefore, because of her many efforts on behalf of our sports, the athletes and coaches, and her community, we are proud to recognize Barb Charske as the 2016 Ed Barker Award winner.
