Rhodes College Athletics

Eluding tacklers and making long runs for touchdowns were synonymous with Jimmy Higgason when he carried the football for the Southwestern Lynx. In 1953 the Lynx defeated Hendrix 7-6 and he had a 100 yard interception return for a touchdown in leading the Lynx to their first win in twenty-three games.

Perhaps Jimmy’s finest performance was in his senior year in a 33-7 victory over Howard College in Birmingham where he scored four touchdowns and gained over 200 yards rushing. The Commercial Appeal called his performance the “greatest running exhibition at Southwestern since the days of Gaylon Smith and Chicken High.” In an 18-7 victory over arch-rival Sewanee, Jimmy had a key 53 yard run for a touchdown that sealed the win. He made a 72 yard touchdown run in another big win, this time over Millsaps.

In 1955 the Associated Press honored Jimmy by naming him to the Little American Football Team. He was also an outstanding student and leader, signified by his membership in the national honor society Omicron Delta Kappa, his election as President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and his being named co-captain of the football team. In addition to participating in football, Jimmy was an outstanding sprinter on the track team for two years.

For his commitment to his teammates and coaches, and for his role as a key player on the Southwestern football teams that returned Lynx football to its glory, we are honored to induct JAMES D. HIGGASON into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 26th day of October, 2001.