Hall of Fame
Bonnie Barker’s affiliation with Western Illinois began when she enrolled as an undergraduate student. She was key in starting up the fencing team in 1972, a sport she was experienced with in high school.
After asking a professor to sponsor the team, she helped create a coed squad and she played her first two years at Western Illinois University. She was inducted into: Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, Alpha Mu Gamma, and the National Foreign Language Honor Society.
Barker earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois (1975) then enrolled in graduate school. Recognizing that no formal record keeping of the women’s athletic programs existed, Barker took on that task while working on her master’s degree.
Women’s athletic director Dr. Marion Blackinton hired Barker full-time in 1977, thus beginning Barker’s career at Western Illinois as the women’s sports information director. She was responsible for the publicity and promotion of WIU women’s athletics. After she began her career, Barker helped launched a county-wide contest that eventually established the Westerwinds nickname.
Barker initiated the use of courtside computerized statistical programs during Western games – a project that was well ahead of its time during that era of collegiate athletics. She worked on the stat crews of various NCAA Division I men’s basketball conference tournaments, used the computer stat programs when working with ESPN on telecasts, and worked as part of a team of volunteers with the Major League Baseball Commissioner’s office at several MLB All-Star games.
Her knowledge and experience using computerized stats in softball helped give her the opportunity to work as the head statistician/official scorer at numerous softball championships, including the 1991 Pan American Softball trials, 1990 International Softball Federation World Games, and three ASA Fastpitch National Championships.
When the women’s athletic department merged with the men’s in June 1989, Barker held the title of Co-Sports Information Director. She oversaw the sports information duties for the women’s sports and was in charge of some men’s sports as well. In October 1991, Barker transferred over to the WIU University Relations department where she worked as a public relations specialist and then promoted to assistant director of University Relations.
During her career with University Relations, Barker was responsible for the promotion and publicity of events, accomplishments and programs within the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts and Communication and the Centennial Honors College. She served on the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Focus Magazine editorial board.
Barker retired in 2012 following 35 years of service to the University. She is involved with the Loaves and Fishes program in Macomb, United Methodist Women (Vice President), Wesley United Methodist Church, and the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Homeowners Association.
“It’s a humbling experience, and a great honor, to be recognized with the women and men at Western Illinois University who worked so long and so hard to advance women’s intercollegiate athletics, not only for Western’s but for all female student-athletes. Athletics for girls and women has made phenomenal strides since the 1970s, and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of that here at Western.”
