The Hobart and William Smith Colleges' community mourns the loss of Hobart Athletics Hall of Famer James Upper '61, of Sumter County, Florida. A three-sport star and former coach for the Statesmen, Upper died on April 16, 2021.
 
Upper was a three-year letterman in basketball and baseball and a two-year letterman in football. A scoring wizard on the hardwood, he averaged 19.3 points per game during his basketball career, finishing with 968 points. He garnered the Love Trophy as a sophomore after producing 17.7 ppg in his first varsity season.
 
On the gridiron, Upper was a two-year starter at end, earning the team's MVP award as a senior. On the diamond, Upper was described as a "workhorse." The left-handed pitcher was Hobart's opening day starter as a sophomore. He finished that year with a 3-4 record while batting .375. As a senior, Upper enjoyed one of his strongest games against St. Lawrence. He threw seven solid innings against the Saints, striking out five, while going 2-for-2 at the dish with two RBIs and three runs scored. During his Hobart athletic career, Upper served as a team captain for both the basketball and baseball teams. He was tabbed the 1961 Kraus Award winner, as the most outstanding senior athlete.
 
Upper graduated from Hobart with a degree in economics. He returned to his alma mater as head coach of the basketball team from 1965 through 1972. He also led the Statesmen baseball team from 1969 through 1973.
 
Upper was inducted into the Hobart Athletics Hall of Fame with the Class of 2006.
 
After leaving college coaching, Upper was an entrepreneur, graded essays at McGraw Hill, worked as a teacher at a residential treatment center for troubled youth and made a great impact as a social worker. He also co-authored two young adult novels with his son, Scott.
 
Upper is survived by his sons, Scott and Kyle; three sisters, Bev, Jean, and Babs; three grandchildren, Nick, Matt, and Lauren; girlfriend, Vivian, and many nieces and nephews.