Tommy Wade Opines On Friends, Family And Murray State

No matter where he has been — be it playing overseas in South America and Europe, or coaching for more than 40 years across the country — Tommy Wade has always made time for Hopkinsville.

So it wasn’t entirely surprising when, two weeks ago, he was quietly walking around the Boys & Girls Club of Hopkinsville-Christian County — cup of Starbucks coffee in his hand — overseeing the initial construction and beginning stages of his legacy gift to the organization: a thorough remodel of its heart into the “Tom & Wanda Wade” Gymnasium.

An homage to his beloved late parents, who were once civic anchors of Christian County, Wade said their perpetuity — their memory — had long weighed on his mind.

Following his career retirement last November, the final chapter a strong eight years alongside Ray Harper and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, Wade finally had some time to review his past, present and future — and make a decision about a project that best fit.

In January, his career came in full focus — when he was inducted into the Hopkinsville High School Athletics Hall of Fame. Everything became clear.

Once A Racer, Always A Racer

While Wade did play for the former Crofton native Fred Overton, it was the legendary Cal Luther who recruited him out of Hopkinsville during his junior and senior seasons with the Tigers.

He signed with the Racers before Luther retired and became MSU’s athletic director, but he stayed true to Overton — who had the deepest of ties to Christian County and another legendary Second Region player: William Rodney “Bird” Averitt.

This is a man that, in Wade’s mind, is part of a regional Rushmore that could include names like Greg Buckner, Chris Whitney and Isiah Victor. (Spoiler: he’s up for that debate.)

But in true Wade form, a seven-minute web tells it better than any journalist’s fingers could.

Wade would eventually transfer to Southeast Missouri State and later earn his bachelor’s degree from there in 1992, but his time in Racer history didn’t end there.

For one season, 1991-92, Wade served as an MSU assistant alongside what is now the team’s radio color commentator Kenny Roth, underneath what is now the team’s television color commentator in Scott Edgar.

It was Edgar’s first year, and on their roster that season: Cedric Gumm, Frank Allen, Maurice Cannon, Ronald “Popeye” Jones and Trigg County’s Scott Sivills.

Yeah, Wade’s got a story for that, too.

In the 2016-17 season, Wade joined up with Harper to be an assistant at Jacksonville State — which, at the time, had just become a part of the Ohio Valley Conference. The Gamecocks would eventually win their regular-season finale and sweep three games at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium for the NCAA Tournament berth.

But during an earlier match-up at Tennessee-Martin, Wade said his Racer history caught up with him once again.

Mom & Dad

Wade’s parents, Tom and Wanda, were one of the many reasons he came home to Hopkinsville during the off-season.

Owners of a legendary men’s clothing store, Tom was also a critical anchor to the Western Kentucky State Fair — serving as its board president for more than two decades.

Over the years, Wade has collected critical stories about Hopkinsville, but has three tales tucked away regarding major country music acts like Kenny Rogers, Alabama and Willie Nelson.

Tom served the Hopkinsville City Council for at least 15 years, and at one point was the city’s mayor pro tem — next in line should he be called upon for the community.

When it was time for Tom to retire, Wade said he couldn’t step into the role. Business and basketball, he said, just didn’t mix.

What’s next?

A cancer survivor, burn survivor and heart attack survivor, Wade said his retirement will entail a bit of travel — especially between Alabama, west Kentucky and Colorado, where he also has a home.

In the immediacy, he will be locked in on the Boys & Girls gymnasium improvement, which should be finished this summer and unveiled to the public this August.

But in the future, don’t be surprised if he tries to recruit guys like Buckner and Whitney to join up with him for more philanthropic efforts in Christian County. Don’t be surprised if you catch him taking a stroll down Hopkinsville’s Walnut Street and Central Avenue, looking back while trying to think ahead. Don’t be surprised if he’s promoting the successes of Christian County, Hopkinsville and University Heights Academy in different conversations, because he has spent time being a part of all three histories. Don’t be surprised if he’s spending some of his newfangled free time in Murray, working color commentary alongside the likes of Edgar and Rob Cross for some Racer basketball games.

If it’s possible, Wade just might do it.

Playing Career

• 1975: All-state player at Hopkinsville High School (senior year).
• 1975–1977: Played basketball at Murray State (freshman & sophomore years), under Crofton native Fred Crofton.
• 1977–1979: Transferred and played at Southeast Missouri State (junior & senior years).
• 1979–Early 1980s: Played professionally:
  • Three years in Argentina.
  • One season in Europe.

Education

• 1992: Earned bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Southeast Missouri State.

Coaching Career

High School Level

• 1991: Began coaching at Hopkinsville’s University Heights Academy, won Class A state championship.

College Coaching

• Early 1990s:
  • Assistant roles at:
    • South Alabama
      • Worked under Bill Musselman and Bob Weltlich.
      • Helped win 2 Sun Belt Championships and earn 2 NCAA Tournament berths.
    • Murray State
      • Part of OVC Championship team, coaching Popeye Jones and Trigg County’s Scott Sivills.
    • Missouri State
    • St. Catherine College (KY)
    • Oklahoma State, alongside former University of Kentucky great Travis Ford.
    • Saint Louis

Kentucky Wesleyan (c. 1997–2003)

• Assistant under Ray Harper.
• Achievements:
  • 2001 NCAA Division II National Championship
  • 4 national championship game appearances
  • 3 conference titles
  • 4 seasons with 30+ wins
  • Overall record: 161–24 in 6 years.

Oklahoma City University (OCU) (c. 2004–2015)

• Assistant under Ray Harper.
• Achievements:
  • Back-to-back NAIA Division I National Championships
  • 3 national title game appearances
  • 2 SAC tournament titles
  • Record: 95–17
  • Coached 6 All-Americans

Jacksonville State (2016–2024)

• Joined Ray Harper as assistant coach.
• Key achievements:
  • 2016–17: Won OVC Tournament, earned first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament berth.
  • Helped navigate conference transitions (OVC → ASUN → C-USA).
  • 2021–22: Won ASUN regular-season title, earned second NCAA Tournament berth.
  • Averaged ~19 wins/season, 146 total wins over 8 seasons.
  • Appeared in 7 conference postseason and 3 national postseason tournaments.

November 2024

Announced retirement after 40+ years in coaching and 8 years at Jacksonville State.