Among Brevard’s Greatest All-Around Athletes
Remembering Bobby Barnes — The High‑School Triple‑Threat
Picture a kid who could hit a football, swing a baseball, and slam a basketball with equal swagger. That kid was Bobby Barnes, the hometown hero of Cocoa High who turned every day at school into a showcase of pure talent.
His Game‑Changing Stats
- Football: Starter in every game, never missed a touchdown that counted toward the soundtrack of the carnivals.
- Baseball: On‑field wizard, no one could ever swing against him—except when the pitcher tried.
- Basketball: Three‑point shooter and defensive ninja; his defenders begged for mercy.
Beyond the Ball Field
Bobby wasn’t just a multi‑sport phenom; he was a faithful family man, a community volunteer, and a man who could light up a room with his laughter.
- Deep belief in God’s plan that guided every practice and every prayer.
- Unwavering love for his family—his parents, siblings, and the entire clan were his biggest fan club.
- A passion for community service that turned local festivals into legendary events.
Legacy That Still Rests With Us
Even after stepping off the field, Bobby’s energy echoes in every corner of Cocoa. The echoes of cheers, the warmth of family smiles, and the gentle hum of faith—those are his gifts that fondly linger in our hearts.
So, here’s to Bobby Barnes: the all‑star that taught us to blend talent, faith, and fun in one unforgettable play.
Bobby Barnes: A Life of Sport and Service
Fort Worth, Texas – Bobby Barnes, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great‑grandfather, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025, at the age of 93. His legacy of hard work, love, and a good sense of humor lives on.
Family
- Wife of 40 years: Sigrid Barnes
- Daughters: Linda Gainer and Gena Stephenson
- Son: David Barnes
- Son: Bob Barnes Jr.
- 11 grandchildren
- 4 great‑grandchildren
Athletic Beginnings
Bobby was a natural-born athlete. At Cocoa High School he dominated the field, playing baseball, football, and basketball. His “all‑round” knack earned him High School All‑American honors and a perfect record of playing every single game.
College Glory
In college, Bobby stayed true to his prowess: he received a scholarship to the University of Florida, where he excelled in both baseball and football. Twice he was named First‑Team College All‑American—the same accolade that had once gilded his high‑school jersey.
Serving the Nation
His sports career hit a brief pause when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. While serving as a Specialist, Bobby kept his feet on the ball—playing for the U.S. Army baseball team—and later returned to the Gators to finish his education and cement the legacy he’d started.
Professional Pitch and Coaching
- Flipped to pro baseball with the Philadelphia organization
- Returned to Cocoa High School to coach football and baseball, & served as athletic director
- Mentored generations of young athletes, leaving an enduring mark on the community
Big League in Space
After the field, Bobby spent 35 years with McDonnell Douglas at the Kennedy Space Center, contributing to groundbreaking advancements that helped send rockets into the cosmos. A real-life space‑hero.
Hall of Fame Highlights
- University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame – inducted in 2013
- State of Florida Hall of Fame – honored for his sporting legacy
- Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – inducted in 2013
Lasting Legacy
Bobby’s name will echo in the hearts of all who knew him. His remarkable achievements, unwavering faith, and deep dedication to sports and community will endure. He’s more than a legacy; he’s a living story that keeps moving forward. The families, coaches, and teammates he touched will always carry a bit of his extraordinary spirit.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is Bobby Barnes’ Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame profile, first published in May 2013.
Remembering Bobby Barnes: A Local Legend
When the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame gave its 2013 award to Bobby Barnes, the community knew it was extra special. Bobby was more than a name on a plaque—he was the living embodiment of what it means to be a true champ both on and off the field.
High‑School All‑American, All‑Sport Trailblazer
- Started every football game at Cocoa High.
- Hit a home run in every baseball lineup he faced.
- Jumped jaw‑dropping passes in every basketball play.
- Never missed a match—once, the school called it “the Edmonds Playground Challenge.”
Why We Love Him
- Skill on the field and court, no doubt.
- Turns late-night study sessions into pep talks.
- His humor could crack a hard‑ball as easily as a drumbeat.
- A fierce competitor who kept the sport spirit alive for years.
Faith & Family
Bobby’s devotion to God was the secret sauce behind his sportsmanship. He’d often say, “I’m blessed on the field, not just by the grass!”
He also loved his family as fiercely as his favorite team. Family game nights, Sunday brunches, or cheering from the sidelines—he was there, lights and turbo boost in hand.
Community Cornerstone
Bobby didn’t just play sports; he was a pillar in the community. Whenever someone needed a hand—or a relay of laughter—he was the guy to call. He mentored kids, organized camps, and made sure the legacy of sportsmanship stayed strong.
His legacy is in every corner of the Space Coast, in the hearts of friends, the echo of community games, and the grateful smiles of those who were lucky enough to cross his path.
BOBBY BARNES – 2013 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Bobby Barnes: From Post‑War Playground to Hall of Fame Hero
When the United States was still buzzing from the end of WWII, lucky Bobby Barnes stepped onto his first sports field for Cocoa High School in the late 1940s. The nation was looking for new legends – not just in the battlefield, but right out on the local baseball diamonds.
Early Days: The Cocoa High Road
- High School All‑American – Even back then, Bobby was top‑class on the court.
- Best‑man in the neighborhood, he carried his school’s name with pride.
College Glory: A Two‑Time Triumph
- Two‑Time College All‑American – Twice earned the national spotlight.
- His college runs were as memorable as the speeches of the era thanks to his knack for zone‑breaking and shot‑calling.
Hall of Fame: The Final Curtain Call
Fast forward to the UF Athletics Hall of Fame moment – the same moments that once sparked a world’s dreams now shine in the dusty—oh wait, not dusty—glitter of trophies. “Bobby’s 1949 game in Cocoa is still talked about at the local bar,” said a former teammate. “We used to call it the ‘Heroic Sweetpotato Bowl.’” (Spoiler: it’s yours, not mine).
Why the 1940s rookies stole the show
In a post‑war world, every slam‑down sent a shout of relief into the streets: “We’ve got a winner!” It wasn’t just about points; it was about confidence and community. And Bobby? He had both in spades.
Fun Fact:
Did you know the early 1950s drafted players had to juggle baseball season, volunteer work, and weekend barbershop gigs? Bobby balanced it all like a pro.
Bobby Barnes: The All‑County Ace
It was a simpler time in America—when you could flood a field with your talent and still get a glass of lemonade afterward. This is the story of Bobby Barnes, the high‑school linebacker who turned pure competitive fire into a legacy that still sparks the imagination of every sports fan in Brevard County.
What Made Bobby Stand Out
- All‑County & All‑Orange Belt Conference – Bobby earned these honors not once but three times, proving he was a cut above the rest.
- MVP, Twice – He didn’t just play the game; he dominated it. Twice the team gifted him the Most Valuable Player title.
- Two‑Way Wonder – Offense and defense? Sure thing. Bobby switched lanes like a pro, covering both receiving and kickoff duties all four seasons.
Senior Year Highlights
- All‑State Selection – When the state scouts came knocking, they found only Bobby.
- Co‑Captains for Junior & Senior Years – Leadership isn’t just for the field; it’s in the locker room too.
- FHSAA All‑Star Football Game – A stellar showcase that thrilled fellow athletes.
- All‑Time Brevard County Player – In 1985, the Orlando Sentinel honored him as a top linebacker for the entire county.
The Legacy Lives On
Bobby Barnes’ name is still whispered whenever a touchdown dance or a triumphant tackle comes up in conversation. His record reminds us that a true athlete isn’t just about stats; it’s about how they light up the game, the fans, and the community. Remember, in the era Bobby played, his football rhythm was, without question, the soundtrack of the whole neighborhood.
Bobby Barnes: The All‑American Super‑Athlete From Cocoa
When the University of Florida skateboarded onto the national scene in the early 1950s, it brought along a handful of star‑students. One of the most dazzling was Bobby Barnes, a former Cocoa high‑school prodigy who ended up juggling football, basketball, and baseball all in one go.
11 Varsity Letters – Because “More Is More” isn’t just a slogan
- Football: 4 letters – he started every game he entered the field with.
- Basketball: 3 letters – two-time All‑Brevard County pick and the #1 assist lead in his senior season.
- Baseball: 4 letters – a Four‑time All‑Orange Belt Conference honoree and an All‑American senior.
Her campus shone bright. Each year, whether it was a down‑right throw, a slam dunk, or a pitch‑perfect straight‑up, he was there – literally on the field, court, and diamond.
High‑School Highlights – The “All‑Star” from The County
“Four All‑Brevard Counties, four Orange Belt Conference awards, an All‑District V medal, and the All‑American title in his senior year – the baseball hall of fame had a name on it already!”
College Choice – Staying Home, Playing Big
Coached by the urge to keep things local, Barney didn’t derail the Florida family tie. He took the Gators’ offer and played football and baseball, earning his 1st–team All‑Southeastern Conference award in 1953.
All‑Southeastern Conference, 1953
With a shtick as a catcher that would put modern managers to shame, he threw out a hard‑panned narrative of strong defense and a booming bat. The result: a First Team honor and a catapult up the college ranks.
And that’s the tale of a man who managed to have 11 varsity trophies without slipping himself into the “single‑sport” category. One can’t help but applaud how he went from the Cocoa Tigers to the Florida Gators while keeping the rest of the country’s attention in his orbit.
From the Battlefield to the Baseball Diamond
Sabotaged by Service, Sauntered Back to the Outfield
Two years away in uniform couldn’t stop Bobby Barnes from dreaming of baseball. When he re‑enrolled at the University of Florida for the 1956 season, the Gator’s coaching staff rolled out the red‑and‑gold curtain and told him, “Go out there, splash the skies!” So, he flipped his batting gloves to an outfield mitt and got right back into the swing of things.
All-SEC, All-Region, All‑American – A Triple Threat
- Three-time All‑SEC selection
- Multiple All‑Region honors
- Two-time All‑American during his college tenure
By the time he hung up his cleats in 1958, Bobby was already a legend in Florida’s baseball halls of fame. In fact, the UF Athletics Hall of Fame shook hands with him and celebrated his on‑field and off‑field greatness.
From Player to Coach – A Winning Mindset
After the Gators, the Kansas City Athletics offered him a pro contract. The draw of the field and the love of coaching kept him from chasing the big leagues. Back in Brevard, Bobby became the mastermind as both head football and baseball coach and wore the athletic director badge at Cocoa High for four seasons.
The Coach Who Made History
His 1960 Cocoa Spartans football team wasn’t just good; they marched to the state championship. The quirky feat? Barnes is the only guy in Florida history to have played in a state football final and then later coached someone in that same match. Talk about a full‑circle moment!
The Grid‑iron Star He Mentored
- Bob Anderson – Future all‑American at West Point
- Later a revered Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame legend (2012)
Even after heading down to Fort Worth, Texas, the memory of his achievements keeps burning bright in Brevard County. His induction into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame is proof that talent travels, but the spirit stays.
Want to Learn More?
Call 321‑615‑8111 or send an email to Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com for details about the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame. You can also see all inductees—but that’s a tad outside the scope of this article.
Fresh Off the Press! The Space Coast Daily News Hits the Nerve
Hey Space Coast fam! Exciting news drops straight from the newsroom: on September 28, 2020, the Space Coast Daily News released its latest scoop—those are the vibes you’re looking for.
Why This New Publication Rocks
- Spotlight on Brevard County — feel the pulse of the county from the mornings to the nightcaps.
- Community First — stories about local events, festivals, and the everyday folks who make this place special.
- Space‑Savvy — since we live under the “spacewalk” sky, we’ve got a front row seat to everything from rocket launches to charming suburban tales.
What’s on the Menu?
- Feature Articles – deep dives into history, science, and the cultural heartbeat of Brevard County.
- Humor Section – tickle your funny bone with quirky questions, puns, and columnist banter.
- Throwback Trivia – discover quirky facts and lesser‑known nuggets from the county’s past.
We’ve kept the vibe casual, but don’t let the tone fool you: the news chunks are spot on and driven by real people’s stories. If it’s your finger‑sticking urge to keep up with your neighbourhood, this is the go‑to edition for you.
Wanna Get Involved?
Got a story, an event in mind, or just want to shout on a headline you loved? Shoot a quick e‑mail or drop us a line on social. We’re all ears, and maybe we’ll respond with a quick “LOL” or a nod or two.
Keep an eye out for next August’s release – it’s bound to bring another set of headline‑making moments, maybe a fresh take on the iconic spaceship Coast wars? Stay tuned and stay amazed.