Jerry William Barker, a native of Danville Virginia, began wrestling at George Washington High School in 1960. In 1963 Barker was runner-up in the Virginia State Championships. Barker was awarded a wresting scholarship to Appalachian State University where he lettered four years and earned his BS degree. Barker's accomplishments included: winning a North Carolina AAU championship, placing third in a Virginia AAU tournament and third in a Southern Open in Atlanta. He was 152 pound champion at the first Miami-Dade National Invitational in 1965. Barker also earned his Masters from Auburn University and Doctor of Education from NC State University.

Barker was Assistant Wrestling Coach at NC State University from 1969-1974, working with Coach Jerry Daniels. While there he served as ACC Wrestling Tournament Director when it was held in Raleigh, conducted many clinics for local schools, and helped secure a mat for every county Junior High School.  Barker officiated for 25 years, highlighted with invitations to the Western Virginia State Tournament, frequent selections to the North Carolina State High School Tournament, a Southern Conference Tournament, and serving as President of the NC Wrestling Officials Association.

Barker assisted in the creation of the WRAL High School Invitational Wrestling Tournament in 1972, which he directed 44 seasons, until 2016.  Over those years the “WRAL” hosted 177 different teams, from 10 states, and 7900 wrestlers. The finals from 1972-76 were televised live from the WRAL-TV studio and via delayed broadcast from 1977-1980. In 1982-84, Barker worked to have the ACC Wrestling finals on television, and from 1986-2004 the high school State Finals shown on UNC-TV statewide, and served as color commentator. For these efforts Barker was named 2000 NC Man of the Year by USA Wrestling Magazine.