Hall of Fame
Valerie Barber was inducted into the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 1, 2013. She had a stellar career rowing in the seven-seat of the women's varsity eight from 1975-78, making three state championships and two South Region Championships. She went on to represent the USA in the 1978 World Championships, finishing fourth. She became an Olympian in 1980 and earned a seat in USA's women's varsity four.
At the Dad Vail Regatta, the Panthers and Barber won two silver medals and one bronze during her time at Florida Tech. Dr. Barber and the women's four also took fifth place at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston in their first-ever appearance. She says the highlight of her career came during her senior year in 1978, helping form an eight composed of the top women's rowers from Tech, UCF and Tampa. The eight defeated a boat by over two boat lengths from Vesper Boat Club composed of women from the national team and past Olympian
She graduated from FIT in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in oceanography.
