Jim Siewe was one of the founders of the Fairmont Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.  Jim has served as committee Chairperson for all 26 inductions and has overseen 182 individuals inducted (155 athletes and 27 specials).  With a persevering work ethic, Jim insisted that the Hall of Fame be a first-class experience for all the inductees and their families.

Jim’s involvement in and support for Fairmont Athletics runs deep and is astonishing.  He has been a member of the Fairmont Boosters for 33 years (1992-present), vice president for 2 of those years (1995-1997) and president for 2 ½ years (1997-1999).  As a booster, he organized the first “Girls Tennis Support Group,” wrote the first “Parent Support Handbook,” and secured an opportunity for Parent Support Groups to raise funds for their teams by helping with concessions at Fraze Pavillion (1998).  Jim also was the Fairmont varsity quarterback coach for one year and served on the selection committee that hired current head football coach, Dave Miller.

Jim’s talents, life experiences, commitment to excellence, and his leadership skills have been a blessing to the Fairmont Athletic Hall of Fame and the Selection Committee.  The fact that he was inducted into the Chaminade Athletic Hall of Fame (1998), the Alter Hall of Fame (2017), and worked tirelessly for 26 years as the Chairperson for the Fairmont Athletic Hall of Fame proves he had the skills and insight into what makes a Hall of Fame successful and great.

As for his impressive leadership skills, Jim was head football coach at Alter (1973-1976), where he was named OSAA Coach of the Year (1975) and selected to the “Alter Gridiron Greats” in 2014.  His 8-year stay at Alter culminated in his becoming Alter’s head football coach with the highest winning percentage (81%).  He was also head football coach at Wayne High School from 1978-1981.  Jim’s leadership skills were also evident to his teammates.  In high school (1965 graduate of Chaminade) he was voted co-captain by both his football and baseball teams and was honored by being selected “Most Athletic” his senior year.  His leadership and athletic skills continued to develop in college.  Jim graduated from University of Dayton in 1969 where he lettered twice in football, was elected president of the “Dayton Varsity D Club,” and earned the prestigious “Andy Zulli Sportsmanship and Character Award.”

Jim and his wife Cathy chose to reside and raise their three daughters in Kettering.  After 23 years, Cathy retired from teaching English/Language Arts at Kettering Middle School.  She was also Fairmont’s assistant women’s tennis coach (1996) and head coach (1997).  Their daughters Amy (1995), Kristi (1998) and Betsy (2001) were all Fairmont graduates, Scholar Athletes and Fairmont Homecoming Queens.  Jim went on to establish J. M. Siewe Insurance Agency in 1987 and became a repeat qualifier for “The Million Dollar Round Table.

For rekindling memories, for reuniting teammates and families, and for creating new traditions, the “Fairmont Family” is forever grateful!