Wabash College Athletics

Men like Jim Paterson don't come around very often, but when they do they have a profound and lasting effect on the men they teach and coach. Originally hired as a professor, Paterson turned into a do-everything man of Wabash, spending 45 years with the Little Giants.

A native of suburban Chicago, Paterson was born in 1899 and dedicated his entire life to the betterment of Wabash athletics. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1923 and did his graduate work at Columbia University. A fine athlete, Paterson earned three letters in football and was Northwestern's team captain in 1922. President Hopkins named him an instructor in economics at Wabash in 1927 where he remained until 1957. In addition to teaching, Paterson also served as Director of Recreational Activities and coach.

In athletics Paterson coached 43 total seasons at Wabash in four sports from 1927 through 1941. He was head golf coach for 13 years and head swimming coach for two years. He also assisted Pete Vaughan in football and basketball for 14 seasons. But as was Paterson's way, those jobs weren't enough to keep him busy. He was a long-time head timer in track, cross country, and wrestling. He served the College as Assistant Dean fr9m 1940-42 and was the College's Faculty Athletic Representative from 1944-49. In the late 50's, after he'd retired as professor, Paterson served as Director of Auxiliary Enterprises, a position that kept him close to the playing fields of Wabash athletics until he stepped down in 1968, when he officially retired from Wabash. Paterson developed the intramural program at Wabash, which he began in the late '20's as Director of Recreational Activities.

Wabash showed its appreciation for his long-time service to the College in 1967 when Paterson was named an honorary alumnus on commencement weekend. He died a short time later, in October of 1972 .