Jim Lawyer

Jim Lawyer, a 1960 graduate of Taylorville High School will be inducted into the Taylorville High School Sports Hall of Fame at a banquet to be held in the auditorium at St. Vincent's Memorial Hospital, Saturday, April 21, 2001.

Lawyer, the prototype offensive "pulling guard" on the 1959 Tornadoes football team, was noted for his quickness, agility, and fierce competitive spirit. On defense, he anchored the line that allowed a total of only 13 points during their 8-0-1 season. Complementing the stingy defense, the offense of the Tornadoes scored 343 points, an average of more than 38 points a game.

Jim Lawyer, played on the varsity each of his three years in high school. During that record setting senior year, he was selected as an All Mid-State Conference selection as an offensive guard and also as a defensive end-linebacker. The local Taylorville Quarterback Club voted him the team's "Lineman of the Year". He was also selected to the All Southern All Star Team and was picked as a first team member to the Illinois All State Football Team.

Following high school, Lawyer accepted a scholarship to attend and play football at Southern Illinois University. His college career ended abruptly following a sever back injury.

Coming back to Taylorville, Lawyer volunteered his time to help develop future Tornadoes football players through his involvement with the Emil Mayer Junior Football League. For many years he helped coach. But more than that, he also helped keep the league going, through work beyond the playing field. He provided the junior players a role model. He worked hard, with enthusiasm and dedication. He encouraged and challenged the boys to play with a desire to be the best they could be. He stressed the importance of teamwork, and helped linemen develop a pride in their contributions to the success of the team.

But Jim Lawyer's volunteering didn't end with the junior program. He made himself available to assist the high school team in any way he could. When needed he spent many hours on the road scouting, helping during practices and generally providing an example for the players of what dedication can achieve if focused in the right direction.