Hometown: Clarksburg, WV
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Position: Guard
Major: Math Education
Jersey #: 24
Mr. Jimmy Stemple, Class of 1999
Jimmy Stemple, a Rams men’s basketball standout, grew up in Clarksburg, West Virginia and attended Washington Irving High School. After graduating from WIHS in 1994, Stemple attended and played basketball at Winthrop University for two years before transferring to then, Bluefield College.
He played a pivotal guard position for the Rams throughout his junior and senior seasons, most notably recording the second all-time most assists in a single game (24) vs. Covenant (GA) on February 13, 1998, which also stood as an NAIA record. Stemple shattered the previous Bluefield record in just two seasons and remains at the top of the list today. Other accolades include:
When asked about his time at Bluefield, he was quoted as saying “Bluefield is the place where many of my closest friendships began,” Stemple added. “The hometown feel of campus and support for the athletic programs led to a wonderful collegiate experience.”
Stemple hit the game-winning 3 point shot at the buzzer to carry the 1998-99 team to a win over 3rd ranked Southern Oregon in the first round of NAIA Division II National Tournament. Stemple’s team still marks the only Bluefield team to win at the national tournament.
Now living in Bridgeport, West Virginia with his wife Nicky and their two boys, Ian (11) and Evan (7), Stemple and his family are members of Immaculate Conception Church in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he raised over $18,000 for United Way of Harrison County.
“It is such an honor to be recognized by the committee for induction into the Hall of Fame. I would like to give special thanks to everyone involved in our team’s successes during my time at Bluefield, including my teammates, coaches, trainers, staff, alumni, friends, and family,” Stemple says.
