Jim Northcutt
Honored in 2002

Hoquiam, Washington

Early in his career, Jim was an assistant coach to Hall of Famer Bill Conrad at Kennewick High School for eleven years, where they were state champions in 1970 and 1971. He served as Athletic Director and hosted district and regional tournaments, and numerous summer camps. Additionally he was tournament director of the state tournament held in Richland. Jim was also heavily involved in freestyle wrestling and coached state teams and a cultural exchange team to Mexico in 1980.

Jim joined the administrative team for the Hoquiam School District and over the next 26 years he served the sport of wrestling as Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and Principal. During that time he lobbied for and hosted numerous league, district and regional wrestling tournaments. He volunteered his time at the middle school, high school, and freestyle programs. It is no coincidence that Hoquiam became a state AA wrestling power during his tenure and that his own son was a state champion for the school district.

He was active in the wrestling and administrative circles in support of positive rule changes. Jim served as a wrestling official for sixteen years and was the administrative secretary for the association for ten of those years. He initiated training clinics for wrestling officials and a year-round grading system. Jim was also a regular official at the state tournament. Jim served on the state tournament games committees for the past twenty-five years.

Jim is retiring as Athletic Director of the Hoquiam School District at the end of June. He was recently honored by the Washington State Secondary Athletic Administrators Association for his service and dedication to the students and athletes of Washington State.