Jim Fox has a remarkable 40-year career as a TSSAA official. Starting in 1981, Mr. Fox’s dedication to officiating spanned four decades, earning him a reputation as one of the most respected and revered officials in the state. Throughout his tenure, he officiated an impressive 11 state championships/tournaments across three sports—seven in baseball, two in basketball, and two in football.

One of Mr. Fox’s crowning achievements came in 1993, when he completed the rare and coveted trifecta of working state tournaments in basketball, baseball, and football all within the same calendar year. This extraordinary feat is a testament to his versatility and commitment to officiating at the highest levels across multiple sports. Throughout his career, he also worked numerous playoff games, including five semifinal games in football, earning him the trust and admiration of his colleagues, coaches, and supervisors alike.

In addition to his high school officiating career, Mr. Fox spent 28 years officiating collegiate basketball at the NAIA, JUCO, and Division III levels. Over those years, he officiated hundreds of games, as well as numerous tournaments and championships, further cementing his legacy as one of the premier officials in the state.

Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Fox’s dedication to his craft and his community was recognized by numerous organizations. He was inducted into the Knoxville Football Officiating Association Hall of Fame in 2021 and received the Knoxville Quarterback Club High School Official of the Year award in 1993. In the same year, he was honored with the TSSAA Distinguished Service Award as an official, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to the field of officiating.

TSSAA Hall of Fame
Class: 2025
Category: Official