Each year since 1987, the TJCCAA has inducted a deserving candidate to their Hall of Fame. This year, Jim Swope, Professor of Physical Education and long-time coach for Jackson State Community College was chosen for the honor.

Jim Swope has distinguished himself in coaching basketball, baseball and softball for over 25 years. Jim began his coaching career at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1964 as an assistant basketball coach.

He served as the Men's Basketball Coach at Jackson State (1968-70); Assistant Basketball Coach at UT-Martin (1970-75); Men's Basketball Coach at Union University (1975-1987); Men's and Women's Basketball Coach at Jackson State Community College (1987-1994).

Coach Swope was also instrumental in starting softball at Jackson State, serving as Head Coach from 1995 through 1997. He served as the Director of Athletics and Chairman of the Education and Physical Education Department from 1997 to 2002. Jim currently serves as a full time faculty member in the Education and Physical Education Department at Jackson State.

He has compiled a winning record in every sport with an overall record of 439-331. During his tenure as Men's Basketball Coach at Union University, Jim completed three 20-win seasons and was the school's first men's basketball coach to post back-to-back 20 victory seasons. As a baseball coach at UT-Martin, his team won 70 percent of their games and won two Volunteer State Athletic Conference titles. In 1989, he was named both Men's and Women's Basketball Coach of the Year in the Western Division of the TJCCAA.