information on Dr. James Fox helps us paint a clear picture on his life and the reasons he conducted his life in the ways he did. First and foremost Dr. Fox lived in a number of different areas, both on the west coast and east coast. Born on January 4, 1914 in the state of Oregon, more specifically Coburg, Oregon, Dr. Fox completed most of his childhood. There he lived on a ranch near the Cascade Mountains. His parents were named James Richard Fox and Dora Jane Green Fox. His parents were able to provide their family with a fairly stable life, ultimately not having too many hardships along the way. However, they did move to a nearby town, Brownsville, Oregon, where Dr. Fox concluded his high school education. Throughout childhood he was a very active community member. Dr. Fox volunteered with a numerous number of groups in the area, while also being an active member of his Boy Scouts group.
Fox never really considered college until one day, when his brother, who owned a parking lot in Long Beach, California, asked him if he was interested in attending a Junior College in the area while working at the lot in the evenings. This college was known as Long Beach Junior College. He graduated from the institution in 1935, and proceeded to move to Missouri to complete his A.B. degree at the University. of Missouri. Once completing that degree, in 1938, he continued and received his M.A. degree from the same institution in 1940. At the university he spent time as a graduate assistant in Physical Education. He also was the Director of Physical Training of the University of Missouri Laboratory School from 1939-1940, due to his background in intercollegiate sports and intramural sports.
I think one of the biggest notes on his early life though was his involvement within the church. He was a member of the Christain Church and deacon in Central Christain Church, Columbia, Missouri, all while a student and teacher at the University of Missouri. His religious beliefs and background was one of the main factors that drew him to Lynchburg College in 1945. I mean after all, he did hear about the college through a few acquaintances from the church. Had this not happened, Lynchburg sports and education could be completely different than the way we know it today. Using his different beliefs from the church, and slightly strict upbringing, had a lot of influence in the way Dr. Fox presented himself to his students and colleagues.
Overall, there is no question Dr. Fox had a major impact on the institution's stability and way in which it is run, both academically and athletically. Without the experience he gained from Universtiy of Missouri, Long Beach Junior College, or any of the schools during his secondary education, he probably would not have had nearly as much of an impact as he did. Dr. Fox was able to take away something from every experience he had and deliver it to his students and athletes in a way that could ultimately lead them to greater success. This exact idea and belief is exactly what the, now, University of Lynchburg prides themselves on. Having these mindsets has proved to lead their students, athletes, and genrally anyone in relation to the University to great success. Today we see many alumni get recognized for their accomplishments and accolades and I can not help but think that part of it is due to Dr. Fox's great impact on the institution as a result of his variety in upbringing.