James Fox (1994) - Hall of Fame

James Fox

Induction:
1994

Waterloo native James Fox lettered in football and wrestling at then Iowa State Teachers College (ISTC) before entering a very successful coaching career. In 1943, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in commerce from ISTC. He continued his education at the Colorado State College of Education, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in health and physical education.

His coaching career began in 1946 at Britt High School, where he coached football and started a wrestling program during his two-year stay. Fox moved to Davenport High School where he was the head wrestling coach and a football assistant. His wrestling squads won state titles in 1954 and 1956, and were second-place finishers in 1955.

His coaching success continued when he shifted to Davenport Central High School in 1960. Fox's football teams won state championships in 1972, 1976, and 1983. While his teams were winning state tiles, he was garnering individual honors. In 1963, he was named State College of Iowa Alumni Football Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1971, and was received into the Iowa High School Officials Hall of Fame in 1982. The Des Moines Register named him Coach of the Year in 1973.

The following year, Fox was selected to coach the Shrine Bowl. He accepted the athletic director's position at St. Ambrose University in 1984. The Quad City Sports Hall of Fame made him a member in 1989, and he was named NAIA Administrator of the Year later that year.