UTC Hall of Famer James ‘Bucky’ Wolford dies
Former University of Chattanooga football All-American James “Bucky” Wolford will be remembered for his athletic accomplishments, but friends, former teammates and colleagues also say the skills that allowed him to excel on the gridiron also helped him succeed in all walks of life.
Wolford died Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was a family man, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Hall of Fame inductee, a Joe Morrison Award winner for his lifetime accomplishments, a successful businessman and a generous supporter of the UTC athletic program.
“You’ll get a different answer from everyone, which says a lot about him, but I’ll remember him for his competitiveness,” former Moccasins teammate and colleague Rick English said. “He was just tough as nails.”
Wolford and English later became vice presidents together at CBL & Associates Properties before Wolford started his own venture, Wolford Development Inc.
Walford found success in nearly everything.
“He was successful in football. He was successful in business. He was successful in life,” said John Tyszkiewicz, who served as co-captain for the University of Chattanooga football team alongside Wolford.
Wolford, an Alabama native, came to Chattanooga on a football scholarship. He played for head coaches Scrappy Moore and Harold Wilkes from 196669 and was a Little All-American as a senior.
He led the Moccasins on offense and defense on his way to a hall of fame career. His 13 career interceptions set a team record that remains to this day, and he led the team in rushing in 1968.
“Bucky Wolford loved UTC more than any other person I have met during my time on campus,” said UTC Chancellor Steve Angle. “His love grew from his time as a football star, outstanding student, and later through serving the university on the UT Board of Trustees, UC Foundation, and most recently as Chair of the UC Foundation Board.”
Wolford met his wife, Dianne, and the couple started a family. They had three sons and grandchildren. Teammates remembered him as a caring family man and generous supporter of the Mocs.
The Wolford Family Strength and Conditioning Center on the UTC campus bears his name.
“He really lived for UTC athletics,” English said.
Wolford played for close-knit teams and was instrumental in keeping everyone in touch. Many teammates remain close to this day and 45 to 55 of them stay in contact through a large email chain.
In a story demonstrating Wolford’s
tenacity, determination and caring nature, he left the hospital in February after a round of chemotherapy to attend Tyszkiewicz’s induction into the Mocs hall of fame.
“It was overwhelming,” Tyszkiewicz said. “He wouldn’t miss it for anything. Even with everything he was going through, he was going to make sure he was going to be there. That just tells you about his character and determination.”