Upper Iowa University Athletics

James B. Buell of Wichita, Kansas, graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1941. Buell was originally recruited to play football by Head Football Coach “Doc” Dorman in 1937, but Buell became an all-around athlete for the institution. He participated for four years in both football and baseball.

In football, he played on two Conference Championship teams, he was selected as a All-Conference First Team member and he was the team captain in 1941. In addition, he lettered in track his first two years and played basketball during his senior year.

After graduation, the Centerville, Iowa native went to Coggon to teach and coach boys basketball and baseball. After serving for four years in the U.S. Navy, during which time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals, Buell returned to teaching and coaching in Centerville.

While at Centerville, Buell coached the high school girls basketball, football, track, golf and the Junior College basketball teams. He took the girls basketball team to the State Tournament and the golf team to the State Meet. He served as Director of Athletics at Centerville and also City Recreation Director.

Buell was inducted into the Centerville Football Hall of Fame and into the All-Sports Hall of Fame.

For 25 years, Buell was Director of Elementary Physical Education and City Recreation Director in Mason City.

Buell retired and moved to Wichita, where he lives with his wife Helen, who is also a Upper Iowa University graduate as a member of the class of 1941.