Jim Fox

1997 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

February 18, 1922 – August 11, 2006

To qualify for induction into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, an individual must have made a major contribution to the sport of amateur wrestling as a wrestler, coach, or official. Jim Fox stands out as someone who excelled in all three areas, most notably as a highly successful coach and respected official.

Born in Waterloo, Iowa, Fox was a standout multi-sport athlete at East Waterloo High School, where he competed in both wrestling and football. He continued his education and athletic career at Iowa State Teacher’s College (now University of Northern Iowa), where he lettered in both wrestling and football. 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.

Fox began his coaching journey in 1946 at Britt High School, where he not only launched his coaching career but also founded the school’s wrestling program. At the time, resources were scarce; in their inaugural season, the Britt wrestlers competed in dyed red shirts and long underwear due to a lack of proper uniforms—a testament to Fox’s determination to build a program from the ground up.

In 1948, Fox accepted the head wrestling coaching position at Davenport High School, later known as Davenport Central, where he would leave an indelible mark on Iowa wrestling. From 1948 to 1963, Fox guided the Davenport program to remarkable success, compiling a stellar dual meet record of 171 wins, 31 losses, and 3 ties. Under his leadership, Davenport won two state team championships, in 1954 and 1956, and finished as state runner-up four times. He coached 14 individual state champions, and notably, two of his athletes went on to become NCAA collegiate champions, underscoring the quality of his mentorship and training.

Fox was also an accomplished football coach. His 1962 football team was recognized as the mythical state champion (before the playoff era), and his squads later captured official Class 4A state playoff titles in both 1973 and 1976, highlighting his versatility and excellence across multiple sports.

Beyond coaching, Fox made significant contributions as a wrestling official. He began officiating in 1946, the same year he started coaching, and continued for more than three decades until 1979. During his distinguished officiating career, he worked ten Iowa high school state wrestling tournaments, earning respect statewide for his knowledge, fairness, and commitment to the sport.

Through his remarkable accomplishments as a coach and official, as well as his early dedication as a program builder, Jim Fox exemplified the standards of leadership, integrity, and excellence that define Iowa’s wrestling tradition. His legacy is firmly cemented among the state’s great contributors to amateur wrestling.

Jim was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1997 with Jim Harmon.