Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
Jim Chase concluded an outstanding career at Little Rock Catholic High School in 1983 for legendary prep football coach Dick Hein. Hein, no stranger to Rhodes College as an outstanding member himself of the Lynx Football Team and Class of 1971, encouraged Jim to visit Rhodes, and, as they say, the rest is history.
The mid-1980s were a great time to play football at Rhodes College. Head Coach Mike Clary assembled a tremendous coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Leland Smith, building a foundation based on hard work and discipline as the cornerstones of a football renaissance at the college. A nationally ranked base 50 defense anchored by strong-side linebacker Jim Chase produced two College Athletic Conference Championships in his four years with the Lynx.
Jim was a four-year starter for the Lynx from 1984 – 1987. He played with intensity and had a knack for getting to the football. He was a throw-back player with a dependable instinct that kept him at the point of attack and never out of position. He led the Lynx in tackles his sophomore and senior seasons and helped the 1985 and 1987 teams win the CAC Championships. Jim was selected to serve on three All-Conference Teams and would serve as a Team Captain his senior season. Upon conclusion of an outstanding four-year career for the Lynx, Jim would accumulate the fifth-most tackles in school history.
Jim was known as a great teammate, never selfish, a mainstay on defense, tough as nails, and exhibiting great grit on the gridiron. In recognition of his dedication and passion, which has served him well as a loving husband, father, teammate, and football player, Rhodes is honored to induct James B. Chase into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame on this 30th day of September, 2023.
