Every year, thousands of students walk up to spectate some of the sports games that take place at our very own James A. Coles Field. The field has become a staple of this school’s campus, but the life and accomplishments of the man it’s named after makes it all that more special.

James A. Coles was born in D.C. and went to Armstrong High School in Virginia, where he was a standout football player until he graduated in 1947. He continued his studies and playing career at Virginia State University on an athletic scholarship, where he received an induction into their athletic hall of fame in 1990. His studies and athletic career were interrupted by his service as an army officer in the Korean War. After his service, he returned to Virginia State to finish his education, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education as a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

In 1954, he began his career in education as athletic director at St. Elisabeth’s Hospital. He kept his job with the hospital until 1957, when he began teaching English, health, physical education and driver education at Bell and Chamberlain Vocational High Schools, as well as Ballou Senior High School in D.C. In 1963, he got his first administration job as the assistant principal of Anacostia before leaving to become assistant principal of both Wilson High School and Western High School until he left in 1968. He got his first Montgomery County job in 1969, serving as assistant principal of Gaithersburg High School from 1969 to 1971.

In 1971, Coles was named the second principal of this school one year after its opening, making history by being one of the first African-American principals of an integrated secondary school in Montgomery County. During all of this, Coles spent time serving in the D.C. National Guard and Air Force Reserve, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel before his retirement in 1979, as well as receiving his Doctorate in Education in 1975 from George Washington University.

Coles was respected by both students and administrators in Montgomery County, receiving the honor of principal of the year in Maryland from the National Association of Secondary School Principals, as well as being the president of the Maryland State Association of Secondary School Principals.

Throughout his time as principal, Coles served as a member of the Potomac Rotary Club and was a part of other civic and professional organizations. Coles retired from Wootton in 1993 after 22 years of service for the school. Nine years later, the school named the football field in honor of his time and accomplishments at Wootton. In the 1981 yearbook, Coles said, “I almost created it. It’s my baby. I did everything but open it.”

Coles died due to complications from diabetes on June 25, 2007, at the age of 79. His name is forever engraved on the top of the school’s football stadium for students to see.