Breaking The Mold: Jim Wallace's Influence in Trigg County and Beyond — Show Notes
- kentuckysportsmemo
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
About the Guest:
Jim Wallace is a trailblazer in Kentucky high school athletics, known for breaking barriers and advancing both basketball and track. Starting his career early, he made history at Trigg County High School by starting an all-Black lineup. He also launched the school’s first girls' track team, championing gender equality in sports before Title IX. A lifelong fan of Kentucky basketball, Jim has been to 59 Sweet 16 tournaments and has spent decades advocating for a class-based system to make competition more fair for schools of all sizes.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Kentucky Sports Memories, Gary Fogle speaks with Jim Wallace, a trailblazer in Kentucky high school sports history. Wallace's dedication is showcased through his initiatives like founding Trigg County High School's girls track team and challenging the norms with an all-black starting lineup for the boys' basketball team during the 1960s. The episode also captures Wallace's push to overhaul the Kentucky Sweet 16 basketball tournament structure for greater inclusivity among schools of varying sizes.
Wallace's anecdotes paint a vivid picture of his early inspirations and the dramatic shifts in the Kentucky high school sports landscape. From cherishing his childhood memories of witnessing major basketball victories in the late 1940s and early 50s to reflecting on his career-defining moments as a coach in the late 60s and beyond, this episode provides listeners with a comprehensive look at Wallace's passion and vision.
Key Takeaways:
Lifelong Love for the Game: Jim’s been to 59 Sweet 16s, starting with his first in 1951 at just 8 years old.
Breaking Barriers: He made history with Trigg County’s first all-Black starting lineup and started a girls’ track program before it was common—or required.
Pushing for Change:Â In the 1970s, Jim was part of the push for a class-based Sweet 16 format to give smaller schools a fair shot.
Notable Quotes:
"I leaned on playing my best players. Wasn't any black and white thing to it." – Jim Wallace
"They wanted to run; [they] wanted to know if we could have a track team. So I talked to a lady, Ann McCroskey, and I said, ‘Ann, would you help me if we wanted to try to start a track team—a girls track team?’"  – Jim Wallace
"We pushed in the 70s to class the Sweet 16, not do away with it. I love the Sweet 16."  – Jim Wallace
Join Gary Fogle as he continues to explore the stories behind the events and figures that have left a lasting mark on the world of sports in Kentucky. Listen to the full episode to embark on a journey through the eyes of Jim Wallace, gaining a deeper understanding of the evolution of high school athletics in Kentucky.