Legacy of Legendary Coach James P. Small Lives on Through Students, Foundation Bearing His Name

Pictured is Foundation Founder Nathanial Farley (center) surrounded by his former Stanton Class of 1978 football team members l-r: Anthony Smith, Frederick Scott, Isaac Miller, Coach Farley, Lentive Palmer, Samuel Bennefield and Dr. Jerome Wheeler. The players gathers to honor not only their former coach, but his hero as well.

Over the past thirteen years, the J P Small Foundation has been involved in the community sharing the legacy of the coach who shares its name

Coach James P. “Bubbling” Small spent decades educating youth, instilling character, discipline and a will to win from the 1930s through the 1960s to many of Jacksonville’s local youth. .

Recently, the foundation held a “Hall of Fame Banquet,” witnessed hundreds of family, friends and former students at the St. Thomas Life Center to present awards and recognize the achievements and commitment of local community organizers and leaders.

Foundation founder and CEO Nathaniel Farley, Jr., better known as ‘Coach” to his students, was one of the many young men who reaped the benefits of Coach Smalls coaching and words of wisdom.

“He didn’t just prepare us for the game, He prepared us for the game of life,” said Farley.  With that foundation in mind, Farley has vowed to give back to his legacy.

Coach James P. Small, who began his 35 years of coaching and teaching at Franklin Street Grammar School, was appointed Coach at Stanton Senior High School in 1934. He retired in 1969 following a career that included serving as Athletic Director and Head Coach of football, basketball, track and baseball.

Coach Smalls was also instrumental in organizing the first North-South All Star Football and basketball games for blacks at a time when Jim Crow laws and lynching was a normal sight in the south. His vision gave youth something to believe in and fight for in a very dismal era.

The JP Small Foundation’s goal is to provide youth the opportunity  to learn, explore and become inspired to pursue fields in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines. Fundraising proceeds from the event will benefit the JP small literary program. Pictured is Foundation Founder Nathanial Farley surrounded by his former Stanton Class of 1978 football team members l-r: Anthony Smith, Frederick Scott, Isaac Miller, Coach Farley, Lentive Palmer, Samuel Bennefield and Dr. Jerome Wheeler. R. Silver Photo

Pictured is Foundation Founder Nathanial Farley (center) surrounded by his former Stanton Class of 1978 football team members l-r: Anthony Smith, Frederick Scott, Isaac Miller, Coach Farley, Lentive Palmer, Samuel Bennefield and Dr. Jerome Wheeler. The players gathers to honor not only their former coach, but his hero as well.
Pictured is Foundation Founder Nathanial Farley (center) surrounded by his former Stanton Class of 1978 football team members l-r: Anthony Smith, Frederick Scott, Isaac Miller, Coach Farley, Lentive Palmer, Samuel Bennefield and Dr. Jerome Wheeler. The players gathers to honor not only their former coach, but his hero as well.

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