The Hot Springs Bison

Athletics Hall of Fame

Jim Tays

Jim Tayes

Coach Jim Tays Historic Photo

THE FACE OF THE HOT SPRINGS BISON ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

Jim Tays – Athletic Leader and Hall of Fame Coach

Jim Tays is a celebrated figure in South Dakota athletics, known for his decades of service as a coach, teacher, administrator, and elite athlete. A native of Gettysburg, Tays began his career at Hot Springs High School in 1960, where he dedicated 37 years to education and sports until his retirement in 1997. As head coach, his Bison track teams captured five Black Hills Conference titles and produced 18 individual state champions. In his role as athletics director, Tays played a pivotal role in expanding the school's athletic offerings from three boys' sports to seven activities for both boys and girls, in line with Title IX requirements.

Before his coaching career, Tays distinguished himself as a standout track and field athlete at the University of South Dakota. He won the NCC outdoor high jump title by leaping 6 feet, 4½ inches—breaking a 22-year-old conference record. His collegiate achievements also included victories at the USD Invitational, Corn Palace Relays, Dakota Relays, Aberdeen Relays, and Sioux City Relays.

Tays’ legacy has been honored with numerous accolades, including inductions into the Hot Springs High School Athletics Hall of Fame, the Coyote (USD) Hall of Fame, the South Dakota Basketball Hall of Fame, and the South Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame. In recognition of his lifelong contributions to sports in the state, he will also be inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.

The idea for creating an “Athletics Hall of Fame” at Hot Springs High School to honor outstanding individuals who either excelled in athletics while attending our school or played a vital role in improving the athletic department is a way to honor those individuals. For years Hot Springs High School has had numerous individuals recognized for excellence at the local and state level.  

With so many outstanding athletes who have been part of Hot Springs High School over the years, creating an “Athletic Hall of Fame” so those individuals could be recognized for their accomplishments and continue to serve as positive role-models for future generations of students.

Mission

To establish a method for honoring Hot Springs High School’s top student athletes, individuals who have made a positive impact on the local community and to be productive role models for today’s student athletes.  As a result there will be an increased awareness and pride in Hot Springs Athletes of the past and present.

Objectives

  1. To give deserved recognition to outstanding Hot Springs High School athletes, coaches and supportive individuals of athletics.

  2. To publicly celebrate Hot Springs High School’s athletic tradition by recognizing outstanding accomplishments and service.

  3. To illustrate to current students and community members those individuals who have been instrumental in creating Hot Springs High School’s athletic tradition.

  4. To promote continued interest in the Hot Springs High School athletic program via alumni and community members.

  5. To fundraise for Hot Springs Hall of Fame, Hot Springs High School projects and Hot Springs Community.

Goals

  1. Honor outstanding teams and individual players in athletic events.

  2. Honor coaches who dedicated themselves to develop student athletes.

  3. Honor individuals and teams who committed time and effort in building the spirit of Hot Springs High School Athletics.

  4. Financial Growth “Fundraising” To fund Hot Springs High School athletics, School projects and community.

The Athletic Hall of Fame Recognizes Individuals in Three Nomination Categories

Athletes – recognize successes of individual athletes and Championship Teams at Hot Springs High School.

Coaches – recognize successes he or she achieved while serving as a coach at Hot Springs High School.

Distinguished Service – recognize outstanding service and contributions to Hot Springs High School athletics.

Each year the Hall of Fame will grow and students will ask what I can do to make a difference or be selected for this honor. The location of the “Athletic Hall of Fame” is a focal point in the school where it can be seen by everyone who enters the gym and travels through the school. The “Athletic Hall of Fame” will continue to provide positive examples of excellence and community involvement by student-athletes and other individuals for our current and future student body of Hot Springs High School who will or have gone into life to be productive citizens of the community and nation.