Dr. James M. Carrithers, professor and chairman of business administration and economics at Coe College, holds an unusual distinction, one unique enough in itself to merit election to the Athletic Hall of Fame. He has probably participated in and attended more athletic contests at Coe than any other person. As the son of a former Coe athletic director, an athlete himself, and the father of an athlete, Jim Carrithers has attended about 285 football games and more than 500 basketball games. And these attendance records of Coe's Number One sports fan don't take into account the baseball, tennis, track, golf, wrestling, and swimming contests he has seen or officiated or coached.

Jim Carrithers was born into an athletic family. His father was athletic director at Coe and is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame. As a student Jim Carrithers won nine varsity letters in football, basketball, and track. He won first team All-Conference football honors in 1933, 1934, and 1935 and was selected to the Des Moines Register's Second All-State team in each of those years. He was the No. 1 singles player on the tennis team for three years, and was conference doubles champion in 1935. He won the Courtney Award for the letterman with the highest scholastic average in 1936. Dr. Carrithers returned to his alma mater in 1956 after he had earned a M.S. degree from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

Jim Carrithers had spent in excess of 20 years at the scoring table. He was also the head judge and timer at Coe swimming meets from 1968 to 1976.

In honoring Jim Carrithers Coe honors a man who was a noteworthy athlete and who pursued a distinguished academic career as a teacher at Coe.