Hall of Fame
James L. “Bucky” Wolford was an All-American running back and defensive back for the Mocs from 1966-69. Wolford played for head coaches Scrappy Moore and Harold Wilkes.
Wolford came to Chattanooga from Kimberly, Ala., and had an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball. His seven interceptions in 1966 are still a freshman record and tied for second most in a season in school history.
He added another six picks in 1967. The 13 in his career are tied for the school record with Phillip Aldridge (1982-85). One of the highlights of his sophomore season was a 51-yard fumble return for a score against Auburn on Sept. 23, 1967.
Wolford moved over to offense in 1968 and led the Mocs in rushing with 852 yards on the ground. He topped 100 yards on two occasions, with 118 against Jacksonville State on Sept. 28 and 116 against ETSU on Oct. 19.
He also had an 80-yard TD run against Furman on Nov. 16. Wolford went on to post a career average of 5.2 yards per carry, which remains in the top 10 in the record book.
The 1968 season was the first under head coach Harold Wilkes, and Chattanooga's 9-1 record that year is the best in school history. Wolford tried to secure a perfect season for UC with a 94-yard kick-off return for a touchdown against Ole Miss on Nov. 9. However, Chattanooga came up short in its only loss to the Rebels 38-16.
Wolford won the Joe Morrison Award, given to a former UTC student-athlete for lifetime accomplishments, in 1993. His biggest impact on UTC may have come after his playing days. A successful businessman, Wolford generously supported his beloved Mocs. UTC's current weight room is officially called the Wolford Family Strength & Conditioning Center because of his generosity.
A lengthy career in commercial development earned him a spot in the UTC Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. He has served as a member of the UT Board of Trustees and, until recently, was the Chairman of the UC Foundation. This foundation provides resources that support distinctive programs and promote bold initiatives that enrich the educational experience at UTC.
