ALL ACCESS PASS: Changing the Game with Jim Wallace

His Story

Jim Wallace has spent most of his life around Kentucky high school athletics—and what a life it’s been. From watching his first Sweet 16 tournament at just eight years old to coaching teams that made history, Wallace’s story is one of breaking barriers and pushing for change long before it was popular.

Breaking Barriers on the Court

Wallace’s decision to start an all-Black lineup might sound simple now, but back in the ‘60s, it was a big deal—especially in small-town Kentucky. At a time when schools and communities were still wrestling with desegregation, Wallace chose talent over tradition. “I leaned on playing my best players. Wasn’t any Black and white thing to it,” he told Fogle.

That move helped change attitudes and showed just how powerful sports can be in challenging old ways of thinking. Wallace didn’t see himself as a trailblazer—he just did what made sense. But his actions helped create a more inclusive environment for the kids coming up behind him.

Pioneering Girls' Track

Wallace’s efforts didn’t stop at basketball. Before Title IX was even a thing, he helped launch the girls’ track program at Trigg County. At the time, most schools didn’t have organized sports for girls, but when a group of students showed interest, Wallace got the ball rolling. “They wanted to run, wanted to know if we could have a track team... So we did,” he said.

Looking back, that simple decision was a huge step toward gender equality in school sports. Wallace’s willingness to say yes when others might’ve said no gave girls in his community a chance to compete.

A Voice for Inclusivity

Wallace also had big ideas when it came to how the Kentucky high school basketball tournament was run. While he loved the Sweet 16, he thought the playing field could be a little more fair—especially for smaller schools. In the 1970s, he began pushing for a class-based tournament structure that would divide schools by size, giving everyone a more equal shot at making a run.

Now in his 80s and preparing to attend his 60th Sweet 16, Jim Wallace’s passion for high school sports is as strong as ever. He’s left his mark on generations of athletes—as a coach, a mentor, and a voice for change.

Supplementary Sources

• Trigg County School - Jim Wallace