Media

Jim Kimball

Year Inducted: 1990

Category: Media

Schools / Organizations: Charleston High School
Charleston Times-Courier
Mattoon Journal Gazette

Biography: Following a career as a three-sport standout at Charleston High School, where Coach Merv Baker credited Jim Kimball as being one of the athletes instrumental in turning the program around, Kimball graduated from Eastern Illinois University. Kimball began his 30 year career covering sports as a student at Eastern. From 1964-67, Kimball served as sports editor for the Charleston Times-Courier. Perhaps his greatest time-consuming service was the compilation of the Charleston High School Record Book which contains records, stats and leaders for all sports up to the time he wrote it in 1964. The basketball section contains stats from the 1905 season through the 1963 season. Kimball became sports editor for the Mattoon Journal Gazette in 1967.  Kimball is credited with doing an excellent job of promoting basketball and all sports in the Mattoon-Charleston area for the 30 years leading to his hall of fame induction. Kimball is said to have the ability to be accurate without disparaging a coach. Coaches, players, fans and his associates feel he has earned their utmost respect and admiration.  Jim Kimball died on November 16, 1992 at the age of 56.