Class of 1987

James "Jimmie" Bryan

 Born in Staunton, Virginia in 1916, Jimmie Bryan received his Bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and his Master’s from Lynchburg College.  He made his home in Lynchburg, where he dedicated many years of service to E.C. Glass High School.
 
Bryan’s Glass High School teams won four State AAA Championships, were State Runner-up four times, won 22 District Championships, and had an overall record of 478-94.  In addition to his 27 years as basketball coach, he served as Athletic Director for 25 years and 6 years as Director of Athletics for Lynchburg Public Schools.  Bryan was the Executive Director and founder of the Virginia High School Association.
 
Throughout his career as Athletic Director and coach, Bryan earned countless awards for his support and dedication to high school athletics on the local, state and national levels.  Among numerous civic awards, he was named Coach of the Year multiple times. Bryan was honored as the recipient of the Dwight Keith Award, the highest recognition by the National High School Coaches Association for outstanding service on the national level.  In 1983, the National Federation Hall of Fame, representing the High School Athletic Associations from all 50 states, elected Bryan to its membership.  He was inducted into the State High School Hall of Fame in 1990 and the E. C. Glass Hall of Fame in 1994.
 
In 1979, Bryan authored a book on coaching high school basketball entitled Love, Not Fear, which espouses his successful coaching methods and personal philosophies.
 
Bryan not only served the city of Lynchburg through athletics—he was twice elected to the city council and served a term as mayor.

   
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