James Poole

LEFT-HANDED

1970 "HALL OF FAME" INDUCTEE ATHLETE

Records:

U.S. National Men's Singles Champion:  1958 & 1961 

U.S. National Men's Doubles Champion:  1968, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, & 79

1970 & 1971 - U.S. Mixed Doubles Champion

1979 - Ken Davidson Memorial Award

International Records:

1961- Malaysian Singles Champion

1962 & 1965 - Canadian Men's Doubles Champion

1968 - Northern Ireland Invitational, Singles Champion

1968 - Quarter-Finals Men's Doubles, All-England Championships

Numerous Thomas Cup Teams

1955-USA Pan American Basketball Team

Jim began playing badminton at the age of twenty at San Diego State. As a young athlete, Jim successfully played many other sports including tennis, basketball (San Diego State), baseball (San Diego State) and golf. In 2003, Jim was selected to the San Diego State Baseball Hall of Fame as a pitcher. In other sports, Jim was ranked #1 in 1970 in the state of Louisiana in the over 35's Men's Singles for Tennis. Jim attended San Diego State and received his B.A. in Physical Education in 1955, and Masters of Arts Degree at San Diego State in Physical Education in 1965. Jim taught and coached the basketball team at Kearny High School in San Diego from 1959-66 when he left there to teach at Tulane University in New Orleans. While at Tulane, Jim worked on and completed his Ed.D. in Education at LSU in Baton Rouge. While teaching in high school, Jim started officiating in several sports and eventually worked on the college level in football, basketball and baseball. In 1975, Jim was selected to officiate in the NFL which he did for twenty-one years, retiring in 1995. He officiated two Super Bowls and wore the famous number 92 as a Field Judge. Jim still works for the NFL as a Trainer/Coach, working with the downfield officials. After retiring from teaching at CSU-Dominguez Hills in Carson, California, Jim and Sue moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he currently resides. He lives near four golf courses, has his own golf cart and plays to a 6 handicap. Jim and Sue have three children (Kelly, Jon and Lisa) and seven grandchildren. Jim and his partner, Don Paup, dominated U.S. men's doubles for a decade. Biggest badminton accomplishment -- Winning the Malaysian Singles Championship - 1961 (1st non-Asian to hold the title).