Jim Poole pitched for the Georgia Tech Baseball team from 1985 to 1988 and was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1990 through 2000. He was a major contributor during the “best four years” in GT Baseball history. Jim pitched in 120 games and struck out 263 batters in 188 innings. He was named to the First Team All ACC Team in 1987 and 1988 and was elected to the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Jim was also an excellent student and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree in 1990. He found his wife, Kimberly H. Poole, IE 1988, at Georgia Tech, and they have raised a beautiful family together.
During Jim’s junior season, he was selected in the 34th round of the 1987 Major League draft by the LA Dodgers; however, Jim returned to Georgia Tech for his senior year. In 1988, he finished the season with an ERA of 2.03, striking out 113 batters in only 71 innings as the Jackets “primary bullpen closer.” In the 1988 MLB draft, he was taken in the 9th round again by the Dodgers. Over 10 seasons, he pitched for several different MLB teams before retiring at the end of the 2000 season.
Jim’s passion for baseball continued after his college and professional career. He worked at Georgia Tech where he raised funds for athletics and was the pitching Coach at Johns Creek High School. Jim is a Personal Wealth Advisor and now manages the Baseball Division for BIP Wealth (formerly known as Buckhead Investment Partners, LLC).
Jim’s influence will continue to have an impact on generations of student-athletes participating in the sport of baseball, teaching them self-reliance and how to apply their lessons learned on the field to the rest of their lives.
The James R. “Jim” Poole Athletic Scholarship Endowment has been established to honor the athletic and personal legacy of Jim. Gifts will fund an endowed scholarship that will be awarded annually to a Georgia Tech baseball student-athlete.
Gifts may be made via credit card by filling out the form below. Checks can be made out to "A-T Fund" and mailed to: The Alexander-Tharpe Fund Attn: Jim Poole Endowment 150 Bobby Dodd Way NW Atlanta, GA 30332-0455
Commitments can be made in yearly installments for up to five years by contacting Mindy Hyde in the A-T Fund at (404) 894-5435 or mhyde@athletics.gatech.edu.