Walk from Waxahachie

In 1981 “Coach” Potter decided to do a walk-a-thon for Trinity University. Potter decided to walk 261 miles from the old campus of Waxahachie to the new skyline campus to raise money for Trinity in the Alumni Association’s Tele-pledge (Potter hikes, 1981). The money went towards the Alumni Fund, which is used to “supplement what Trinity receives in tuition fees and endowment money” (Potter hikes, 1981). In an article from The Trinitonian focusing on the walk, Potter claimed, “I came to Trinity in 1958 on a baseball scholarship, so the university literally gave me an education. . . . I don’t know where I’d be without it (Trinity). It’s (the walk) a way I can give something back to the university" (Potter, 1981).

While Potter conquered the 261 miles, volunteers telephoned Trinity alumni asking for donations (Coach Jim Potter, 1981). In total, Potter raised $36,000 and hiked 261 miles by walking eight hours a day for nine days, taking two days in between for the weekend (Coach Jim Potter, 1981). This event showed the commitment Potter had to the university. Not just any staff member would willingly have walked eight hours a day for nine days. Along his journey, students, other staff members, family and friends all supported Potter by joining him for some of the way and having a small van follow him along his journey. Potter’s selfless act inspired many others and was the most successful phone-a-thon Trinity had ever had (Potter walks, 1981).