Hall of Fame
James Hoover, a graduate of Vestal High School (Section IV) who received a Bachelors degree from Ithaca College and Masters from the College of Saint Rose, is one of very few who have amassed over 300 football wins as head coach in New York State. He has been the varsity coach at Walton Central School District for the last 38 seasons and has racked up a 306-80-1 career record and still going. Hoover has led his teams to 14 Section IV Championships, two NYSPHSAA State Championships, five undefeated seasons and only 13 of his teams endured just one loss. He began his career in 1976 as a physical education/health teacher and coach at Walton following four years in the Marines after high school then four years at Ithaca. Hoover was inducted into the Section IV Hall of Fame in 2009 and was named a USA Today High School Sports “Best Coach” Finalist in 2013. Furthermore he earned Oneonta Star Coach of the Year 11 times and Binghamton Press Coach of the Year three times. Hoover is a member of the National Football Foundation, the New York State High School Football Coaches Association, and the American Football Coaches Association.