From childhood, Darin Barr’s second home was the basketball court. Growing up with a father who was a high school coach and sports official, Barr spent his early years learning the game from his father. He took that experience to begin working as an official while attending Southern Illinois University in 1992. One-third of a century later, he continues to show that, as he has said, “my passion for sports, especially basketball, is best served by wearing stripes and making it possible for the next generation to enjoy and respect the game as I did.” 

Beginning with intramural sports at SIU, Barr’s officiating career spanned basketball, softball, volleyball, and flag football early on. As he shifted to the Illinois High School Association (1993-97), he narrowed that focus to basketball, baseball, and softball. Moving to the New Mexico Activities Association, as he took on the role of Intramurals Director at the University of New Mexico (1997-99), he focused on basketball and baseball. 

Once he came to the Puget Sound region to work as athletic director at the US Naval Station in Bremerton (1999-2000), he joined the Washington Officials Association, solely working on basketball. More than 25 years later, he continues to officiate for the WOA while working as athletic programs manager at Washington Athletic Club. Officiating highlights include three state tournaments (2017, 2020, and 2022), capped by the 2020 4A championship game and the 2022 2B championship game.