Tommy Wade was driving through Hopkinsville last January and decided to visit the Walnut Street area where he spent many days with his grandparents and also remembering his days at Koffman Middle School.
He was in town to be inducted into the Hopkinsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Wade stopped into the Boys and Girls Club and met the club’s Executive Director Terrence Davis, who took Wade on a tour of the facility.
Fast forward four months and Wade is partnering with the club to renovate the gym and honor his family at the same time.
While speaking with Davis, Wade was impressed with the activities the club offered youths. But he noticed that the gym needed help. He and Davis, who had been trying to improve the gym for about 15 years, quickly came up with a plan.
Davis couldn’t believe it when Wade said he wanted to be all-in on a renovation of the gym.
Wade, who had a long career as a college basketball assistant coach at several schools including Oklahoma State, said he wanted the floor to be orange and black like the Cowboys. But also as a reminder of his and his parents’ alma mater, Hopkinsville High School.
Wade, who has survived cancer and a fall that left him with serious injuries, said he often would send motivational texts to his players and coaches each morning. One of those texts was “10 toes in,” which meant a player was 100-percent committed to the program.
Wade said, after talking with Davis and seeing the beginning of the gym renovation, he’s “10 toes in” on the Hopkinsville Boys and Girls Club.
Once completed, the gym will be able to be used not only for basketball, but also for volleyball, archery, flag football and pickleball.
In addition to the gym floor, the renovation includes new scoreboards, chairs, video system, and bleachers. The scoreboards, chairs and the entrance into the gym will honor the Wade family. There also will be a special display case honoring Wade’s family and Hopkinsville High School in the gym.
Davis said he expects the renovation to be completed by June 16.
A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 4.
Anyone who wants to make a donation to the Hopkinsville Boys and Girls Club can call Davis at 270-887-4020 or message the facility through their Facebook page at hoptownbgc.
Photos by Joe Wilson