Jackie Sholar joined John Ladd, Blaine Alexander, Jimmy Mathis, Margaret Hendrix, and the 1986 boys’ state champion cross country team in the 11th class to be inducted into the Trigg County High School Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday.
Jackie played football and baseball at Trigg County but was most known for his exploits on the diamond in helping lead the Wildcats to the 1979 district championship – the school’s first in baseball in 19 years.
As a junior, Jackie pitched a one-hitter in the championship game and scored the game’s lone run when he singled and scored on a Hopkinsville throwing error. He struck out six in pitching the Wildcats to the district title.
In his senior season, Jackie batted .351 while playing second base and pitching, earning the team’s MVP honors.
He signed with Austin Peay State University where Governor’s Coach Joe Ellenburg said Jackie “shows the skills that should make him a good college player. He has good hands, a good arm, speed, and a quick bat.”
After his baseball playing days were over, Jackie usually showed up on the best men’s softball team in the area where his legend grew larger. He was also a frequent winner in long-drive contests on the golf course, competing and winning in national events.
He hit a drive 455 yards in the semifinals of the World Long Drive Championship in Nevada in 2012.
Jackie was not able to play golf in high school because it was a spring sport at that time and conflicted with baseball.
He left his impression on Trigg County’s baseball program and changed the trajectory of the program through results and work to upgrade its facilities.
In five seasons as head coach of the Wildcats, his teams were 89-74. He left as the program’s all-time winningest coach only to be passed by Tim Bush years later.
The Wildcats were 25-8 in the 2011 season, with the 25 wins thought to be a school record. His teams won two district titles and were district runners-up two other times.
His first district title as a coach in 2017 was Trigg County’s first since when he played in 1979.
Here is part of Jackie’s induction speech.
