Online Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ok/okmulgee/obits/mccajame.txt
James Joseph McCafferty
Jim McCafferty, 90, passed away Monday, Sept. 18 in Seattle, WA. He had suffered a broken hip last
January 19 at his home in Cincinnati, and following surgery went to live near his loving daughter
Bridget and her husband, Jeff Rogler.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be said Tuesday, September 26 at 10 a.m. at St Michael's Catholic Church
in Henryetta, OK, with burial to follow in Westlawn Cemetery alongside his wife Jo who passed away in 1972.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Bridget and William McCafferty of Ireland, brother Daniel,
and sisters Geraldine, Mary, and Margaret.
In addition to his daughter and son-in-law, he is survived by his sister Elizabeth Gaberino of
Holdenville, OK, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Often called “Big Jim” from his multitude of friends due to his 6'8", 280 pound frame, he was born
on March 14, 1916 in Scammon, KS. His family moved shortly thereafter to Henryetta where Jim became
a stellar athlete in at St. Michael's and won a football scholarship to St. Benedicts College in
Wichita, KS.
But the school dropped football Jim went to work in the oil fields of Oklahoma. When his former
coach was named coach at Loyola of the South, (New Orleans) Jim returned to school playing both
football and basketball for the Wolfpack. In each of his three athletic seasons, was named the
University's Athlete of the Year.
In 1942 Jim was named the assistant basketball coach at Loyola, launching a highly successful
20-year career. He became the head coach of his alma mater, following World War II, coaching them
to their first-ever NCAA tournament berth. He also instituted the track and field program at Loyola,
a program that became highly renowned throughout the collegiate track world.
In 1946 Jim married Della Josephine Fowler of Oak Grove, Louisiana and they became the proud
parents of Bridget, in 1954.
In 1948 he coached a collegiate all-star team to the championship of the Central American Olympic
games in Panama, and the U.S. State Department then sent him on a tour of Cuba to conduct basketball
and track clinics.
In 1957 he was named head coach at Xavier University and the following spring his team won the
National Invitational Championship and in 1961 Xavier earned its first-ever NCAA berth. In 1963
Xavier won the National Catholic Championship and Jim retired from coaching to devote full-time
to his duties as Director of Athletics, a post he had held simultaneously with his coaching duties.
McCafferty served as the school's athletic director until 1979 when he was named Assistant Vice
President of Student Development at Xavier. A year later he was named Commissioner of the Mid-Western
City Conference, a conference that he had tirelessly worked to establish for a number of years.
As a coach, Jim was an innovative strategist, and became most known for his “single guard” offense,
and his “zone offense.” He took great pride in two personal coaching achievements, never having lost
to any opponent who played a zone defense against his teams, and never having lost a game in
Madison Square Garden.
But, he always stressed that it was the players that played who win games, often saying,
“they're the car's engine, I just get to drive it” And they cared for their coach and he
got phone calls, notes, holiday cards, and personal visits from them throughout the rest of his life.
As Director of Athletics, he was proud of convincing the University to give athletic-grants to
the sports of baseball, golf, and tennis; and to students who worked in the athletic department
as managers and interns; as well as establishing a grant program for graduate coaches.
For his approach and ethical standards, he was singled out by the NCAA who selected him
as a representative to appear before a United States Congressional Committee that was studying
inter-collegiate athletics
He is a member of both Loyola of the South and Xavier Hall's of Fame, as well as the Cincinnati
Basketball Hall of Fame, and twice was designated to receive Loyola's Distinguished Alumnus Award.
He was selected in 1958 as Catholic College Coach of the Year, and Ohio College Coach of the Year.
A devout Catholic, Big Jim was Irish as they come. He loved St Patrick's Day, good food, a house
full of laughter, a “toddy” with his legion of friends in and out of athletics; the City of Cincinnati,
especially Opening Day; his alma mater, and the City of New Orleans, especially Mardi Gras.
And, of course, his Henryetta roots.
He will be remembered as a Gentleman … and a gentle man.
In lieu of flowers, Bridget has requested that memorial remembrances be made to Loyola University's
athletic program c/o Dr. Michael F. Giorlando, Athletic Director, Loyola University, 6363 St
Charles Av., New Orleans, LA 70118.
Cards can be sent to Ms Bridget Rogler, 8051 17th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA98117
Services are under the direction of Shurden Funeral Home.
1916 - 2006