Timbo Gymnasium Named For Anderson

Timbo basketball teams hosted Jasper for the Tigers home opener Friday night, with a big crowd in attendance for dedication of the facility as the Jim Anderson Gymnasium, recognizing the former coach, teacher and administrator for more than 30 years of service to the school.

In making the presentation, Principal Junior Barham said the event was perhaps the only thing ever kept a secret from his former teacher and coach.

Anderson’s family assisted in timing the honoree’s arrival so that the refinished playing floor with his name in large letters would not be seen until he walked in to the standing ovation from the waiting audience. Many former players, including two from Anderson’s first team at Timbo, were in attendance. And most, unlike Anderson, do not normally attend every home game.

Anderson’s daughter, Gwen Dailey, posted to a Timbo graduates Facebook page, “It was wonderful to see so many past players, classmates, family and friends. We appreciate those who made this happen. Coach Anderson and his family are honored by this recognition and are so proud to be part of the Timbo Tiger family.”

Anderson graduated from Timbo in 1956 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in physical education from what is now University of Central Arkansas. After teaching at Timbo for two years he moved to Colorado and worked there for a year before returning to Timbo to coach his first Tiger teams in 1965 and 1966.

His players remember him as a strict disciplinarian who did not allow players to smoke cigarettes and he heavily discouraged “sparking” among boys and girls before games. They could be assured, though, that if they gave 100 percent effort during games a loss could be tolerated.

After coaching about 20 years he relinquished that job and served as principal for a time, but later came out of retirement to coach a few more seasons. His teams added more than 100 trophies to the school trophy cases over the years, including many county and district championships.

During Friday’s event, Barham expressed appreciation to Stone Bank for sponsoring the floor refinishing project.