Wyandot Sports Hall of Fame

During his days at Carey, Draper was a four-year participant in football, earning three letters while playing guard and linebacker. He was co-winner of the team’s Most Valuable Player award as a senior, finishing with 206 tackles, a standard that still stands. His effort garnered him All-North Central Conference first-team honors.

Draper earned four letters in football while at Findlay College where he was a defensive stalwart, recording a single-game record (at the time) for tackles in a game against Defiance in 1977. He helped lead the Oilers to Hoosier-Buckeye Conference titles his junior and senior years. The legendary Dick Strahm had taken over the reins of the program in Draper’s sophomore year and became a role model for not only his coaching prowess but also for the life lessons he taught off the field.

Upon graduation Draper went back to his alma mater to begin teaching and coaching in 1978. He was an assistant for seven years before stepping up to the head job in 1985. Draper amassed an overall record of 143-64, which included an NCC title, five Midland Athletic League crowns and five state playoff appearances, including a trip to the final four in 1994. He was named MAL Coach of the Year on four different occasions, the Northwest Ohio COY in 1994 and was given the Toledo Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Coach’s Award.

He mentored five All-Ohioans during his 20-year tenure. He also has coached junior high basketball for 38 years and junior High football for eight. Draper was inducted into the Carey High School Hall of Fame in 2005.

A son of Jim and Anna Mae Draper, Jim received a bachelor of science in health, physical education and drivers’ education from Findlay College. Jim and his wife, Lu, have been married for 38 years and have two sons, Matthew and Douglas, as well as three grandsons, Drew, Sam and Will.