‘Bucky’s dream come true:’ UTC opens Wolford Family Athletic Center

The Wolford Family Athletic Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has finally opened its doors.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony in conjunction with the annual State of the University address took place on Monday, Sept. 16, highlighting the start of Founder’s Week—a week-long celebration of the University’s 138th anniversary.

The $36-million project includes a 37,500-square-foot addition and 23,000 square feet of renovations to McKenzie Arena—and its athletics space features a state-of-the-art sports medicine area, a hydrotherapy section and office space for a mental health professional available to all UTC student-athletes.

The new facility houses locker rooms, meeting rooms and offices for the football program.

The center also features 6,000 square feet of dedicated event space for campus use—the site of Chancellor Steven R. Angle’s address.

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Click here for the 2024 State of the University webpage

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Discussions of the new Wolford Family Athletic Center began in 2013. A financial plan was established in 2018, with a projected groundbreaking to take place in fall 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction had to wait two more years.

Angle, who arrived at UTC in 2013, said the grand opening was “a long time coming.”

“The Wolford Family Athletic Center serves as a front porch that supports the recruitment, retention and performance of our student-athletes at the level that they deserve,” Angle said. “It’s also a place where we can connect with our community events like this.”

Wolford Family Athletic Center ribbon-cutting ceremony (from left): Mark Wharton, Kim White, Randy Boyd, Steven Angle, Clint Wolford, Diane Wolford, Eileen Thornton, John “Thunder” Thornton, Lindsay Wolford, Madison Wolford, Lillian Wolford and Chad Wolford.

James “Bucky” Wolford was a running back and defensive back for the Mocs from 1966-1969. He is tied for the UTC record with 13 career interceptions and led the Mocs with 852 rushing yards in 1968 when the team finished with a 9-1 record.

After graduating from UTC with a degree in mathematics, Wolford continued to support and work closely with his alma mater. He served as a member of the UT Board of Trustees, the UC Foundation Board and the UTC Athletics Board.

He was inducted into the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UTC Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2004.

Months before his death in 2017, Wolford spoke in an interview about his support for UTC.

“I just feel like it’s something that I should do … that I should give back to the University,” Wolford said. “I think it’s something that comes from a background like I came from—and is then able to be successful … I just think it’s something that you should do.”

Among those in attendance at the event was Wolford’s wife, Diane; their sons, Clint and Chad; and their grandchildren.

“Thank you all for being here and for celebrating with us Bucky’s dream come true,” Diane Wolford said.

The two met on Chamberlain Field during their college days when Diane was performing as a majorette in the band.

“I know Bucky would be honored and very proud to know that this building has been named in his honor,” she continued. “I hope it will become a place that the students will be proud of.”

Another speaker and donor included John “Thunder” Thornton, a prominent Chattanooga businessman, longtime supporter of UTC and close friend of the Wolford family.

Thornton shared with the crowd some of Wolford’s backstory. He said Wolford came from the coal mines in Kimberly, Alabama, and it wasn’t until he visited the institution, then known as the University of Chattanooga, that he experienced indoor plumbing for the first time.

It was Wolford’s vision, hard work, determination and perseverance that led him to his success, Thornton explained.

“Bucky Wolford was a living, breathing embodiment of those qualities,” he said. “Believing in yourself—that’s what makes things possible. Dedication—it’s necessary to follow your dreams and make a difference in the world of people around you.

“It’s dedication that will make the difference for every single student-athlete that walks through these doors.”

UTC Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton thanked all the donors who contributed to the project.

“You all made this incredible space possible and we’re here today because of you,” Wharton said.

He shared some of the new additions to the space, which guests had the opportunity to tour after the ceremony.

Angle expressed his admiration for Wolford, reflecting on the impact he made on and off the field.

“All of us who worked with Bucky benefited from his high expectations,” Angle said. “We lost him in 2017, but I still feel the warmth of his smile, hear the sound of his laugh and benefit from his push to excel. He did push all of us around him to do our very best.

“His spirit is here with us today and the UC Foundation exists thanks to the hard work of Bucky as a UT Trustee.”