Was driving the WVa toll road Wednesday, searching for a local radio station of interest, when I picked up an announcement of the passing of the "Logan Leaper" at the age of 75. Like most of you (OCF being a possible exception), I have never heard of this athlete out of W. Virginia, but I found his life story to be of interest. I'd be interested if OCF, or another BA poster, could enlighten us more with their personal knowledge of his life.

Sorry, I don't know too much about him, other than he was a great basketball player who had a reputation as a great "leaper" because of the way he controlled the boards on defense and put in layups in a characteristic high-flying style. He played at Marshall a few years before I taught there, so I never saw him play personally. He was a very loyal alumnus.

This story will add a little additional information:

https://tinyurl.com/5yphcvy8

Jim set a WV high school high jump record that lasted 30 years. I think he high jumped 6'7", not sure. He also played on Logan's High School state basketball championship, this was the first state championship for legendary coach Wille Akers who had played at WVU with Jerry West. Logan defeated Weirton High School for the championship which featured Ron Fritz Williams. Williams was the first Black to play basketball at WVU and he played in the NBA.

Jim started out at Concord College and transferred to Marshall. He was part of the Marshall NIT teams in 1967 and 1968 for Ellis Johnson's Iron Man Five. He was a bulky player who took up space. I think Jim played for the an ABA team Pittsburgh Pipers. Jim got his degree and taught school and did some coaching in Logan County schools. Jim was a member of the Marshall Hall of Fame.

https://www.loganbanner.com/sports/former-logan-marshall-...