An inauguration of the soccer field will take place on Wednesday, November 17 at 1 p.m. at Pistole Park.
“The on-field autograph for Big Jim Barnes is tomorrow,” Mayor Ryle Chastain said Tuesday. “He has made significant contributions to football in McMinnville and Warren County over the years. He was instrumental in AYSO, college and high school football, and our travel teams in the 90s and 2000s. It’s an honor to remember him this way.
The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of McMinnville voted to name football field No. 5 in honor of Jimmy “Big Jim” Barnes. Barnes contracted COVID-19 in 2020 and died in November. His wife, Paula, runs Paula’s Dance Academy. They have three children.
“I had the privilege of playing with his son, Jimmy, on the 2001 Final Four soccer team at Warren County High School,” Chastain said, making the request. “I grew up playing football with Jimmy. Football is what it is today largely thanks to Jimmy Sr. He may not have some name recognition like Ben Banerjee, but he has certainly been instrumental in projects like Pistole Park, youth football and travel, AYSO and again, the running state we had in the early 2000s.”
The sign designating the pitch was placed last week in Pistole Park. The soccer complex is located at 2191 Laws Road. Everyone is invited to attend the official inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, November 17 at 1 p.m.
