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James W. “Skipper” Fairbanks, a sports activities legend within the Purple Financial institution and Hixson areas, died Sunday.
Mr. Fairbanks had continued to educate boxing at a small gymnasium in Purple Financial institution up into his eighties.
He was honored by the Purple Financial institution Fee by the naming of the Skipper W. Fairbanks Leisure Complicated.
It was famous that he initiated Dixie Youth baseball in Purple Financial institution in 1962 and “has labored for the nice of the folks of Purple Financial institution for 60 years. He has been a revered instructor and coach at Purple Financial institution Center Faculty and has taught by instance.”
In his honor, Purple Financial institution’s facility at 640 Morrison Springs Highway has been devoted as The Skipper W. Fairbanks Leisure Complicated.
He performed baseball for 3 years and soccer 4 years at Purple Financial institution Excessive. He started working with Purple Financial institution youth in 1954. This system grew to 5 fields with over 450 girls and boys participating.
Mr. Fairbanks was head baseball coach at Purple Financial institution Center from 1988-1007. He was coach of the yr a number of instances.
He served as assistant soccer coach at Notre Dame in 1956 and Purple Financial institution Excessive in 1957. He had an undefeated season as head soccer coach for Bridgeport Excessive in 1948. He was Sequatchie Valley Convention Coach of the 12 months.
He was head coach for Purple Financial institution Center soccer from 1987 to 2002 and was Center Faculty coach of the yr 3 times.
Skipper Fairbanks was a TSSAA soccer official for 42 years. He labored state playoffs 30 instances and he labored the state remaining recreation in 2001 performed at Vanderbilt.
He acquired the A.F. Bridges Award in 2002.
Maybe greatest identified for his boxing, he boxed at Purple Financial institution Excessive and was a five-time Golden Gloves champion and three-time Frye Institute champion.
He gained a variety of different boxing honors.
He coached boxing to some 3,000 children throughout a protracted profession.
He was inducted into Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Corridor of Fame and the Higher Chattanooga Sports activities Corridor of Fame.
He was given the Walt Lauter Lifetime Achievement Award.
