Back in town this past January to accept his Class of 2024 entry into the Hopkinsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Tommy Wade found himself nostalgic and reminiscent of all the good times he has had in Christian County.
All of the basketball he played and later coached.
All this running around with friends and family.
He worked long hours alongside his parents, Tom and Wanda, and built a 45-year legacy as the owners of a successful men’s clothing store.
He drove past the hallowed grounds of the former Walnut Street Stadium, where he hooted and hollered for legendary state champion Tigers on the gridiron and later played Little League Football.
And it was during that little trip down memory lane near Central Avenue that the campus profile of the Boys & Girls Club of Hopkinsville and Christian County caught his attention.
He had no idea what it was about or who worked there, but that changed one day when he walked in and had a lengthy conversation and tour with its Executive Director, Terrence Davis.
Wade stated that after further discussions with Davis, Baird Private Wealth Management, and several other notable parties of interest, it became emotionally clear what needed to be done.
Something had been on Wade’s mind.
So he promised to fund a full renovation of the central gathering space.
Wade Family Gymnasium is already under construction and will provide club members of all ages with access to a facility with new LED lighting, scoreboards, sideline chairs, paint, basketball goals, bleachers, signage, a new scorer’s table, and a new wooden “Tom & Wanda Wade Floor.”
To put it simply, Wade believes in the club’s mission and wanted to properly memorialize his parents.
Davis stated that Wade’s generosity will not only improve the club’s basketball and meeting hall experience, but will also allow for the introduction of new sports like volleyball, pickleball, and archery.
Wade and Davis said everything will be orange and black, with one window featuring a shadowbox filled with small relics from HHS history.
Wade, who retired from Jacksonville State University men’s basketball and a long coaching career in general last November, said he plans to devote even more time to Hopkinsville, Christian County, and its youth.
The renovations are expected to be completed by mid-June.
