Class of 2015

Jim Duggan lettered in football, track, basketball and wrestling for the Glens Falls Indians in the early 70s and by the time he graduated in 1973 he was one of the most sought after athletes that the area had seen at that time. With the likes of Joe Paterno and Woody Hayes knocking on Jims door he had established himself as a football star for the Indians as a 6 3 , 250lb two way tackle.

To keep himself in shape for football Jim took up wrestling. Without a practice partner that could challenge him because of his size and strength, Duggan would take trips to Saratoga and practice with Saratoga football coach and future Section 2 Hall of Famer, Blase Iuliano who could keep up with Jim and help him improve his technique.

Hard worked paid off for Jim in this sport as well as he won the Section 2 Championship his Jr. (1972) and Sr. (1973) years. Jim went undefeated over his last two regular seasons. With his come from behind victory in the finals of the New York State Championship in 1973, Duggan became the 1st State Champion in Glens Falls history and was only the 4th Section 2 wrestler to win a State Championship in the ten year history of the tourney to that point.

Duggan chose to play College football for Southern Methodist University. Although he wanted to wrestle in college, SMU only had a wrestling club which Jim also joined to keep in shape for football. Duggan started for SMU as a freshman and was named a captain of the football team his sophomore year as he played both ways. Jim graduated from SMU with a degree in Applied Plant Biology. Jim was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons but because of injuries to his knees and after a brief stint in the CFL, Jim had to give up his dream to play professional football and he turned his thoughts back to wrestling.

Through some football friends Jim got introduced into the world of professional wrestling. Working his way through the different organizations Jim became known as Big Jim and eventually what he became famous as Hacksaw Jim Duggan carrying a 2x4 in one hand and the American flag in the other. He wrestled with the other big names in the sport like Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage. He wrestled in the WWF, WCW, and WWE among others. He was trained by the grandfather of the Rock, legendary High Chief Peter Maivia.

Hacksaw won numerous championships in profession wrestling. He was IWA Word heavyweight Champion, TASW Heavyweight Champion and Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion and was inducted into the Profession Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2018. He is one of the most popular professional wrestlers of all time.

Jim has had many TV and movie appearances mostly as himself. He has launched a comedy club tour where he tells stories of his wrestling days. He has been married to his wife Debra since 1989 and they have two daughters.