Hall of Fame
James Wooten, a native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, was a physical education major and one of the fastest men in Bronco history.
During his freshman year, Wooten earned the 1974 All-American track honor after placing fifth in the 220 dash event with a time of 21.2. Athletes had to finish in the top six in the finals of their events to qualify for All-America. He was tied for second in the CIAA as a 100-yard sprinter with Johnson C. Smith's Herb Carmichael (9.4). Fayetteville State's James Godwin (9.5) and Melvin Draper (9.6) ranked behind them.
In 1975, the CIAA voted Wooten as the "Most Outstanding" individual. He also received the "Most Valuable" honor for men's track at the Fayetteville State University's All-Sports banquet.
The junior track 100-yard sprinter had an outstanding season in 1976. Wooten had a 200-meter victory in the NCAA Division II meet with a time of 21.4 at Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. He placed first in the 100-yard dash (9.8) and the 220 dash (21.3) at the South Carolina State Relays in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The defending champion of both events was voted "Most Outstanding." While setting a meet record in the 220 dash with a time of 21.3, Wooten broke the former All-Pro wide receiver Bob "Fastest Human" Hayes' record. He won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) 100-meter title 10.54 and the 200-meter title with a time of 20.7.Â
Later that year, Wooten was invited to the Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. His Olympic mentor Walter Johnson, a former Olympian under North Carolina Central's coach Dr. Leroy Walker, had tremendous confidence in Wooten. "James has a great chance to win the 200 at Eugene. If James is in a confident mood, and the whole thing is mental when you get right down to it, he won't be intimidated by guys like Houston McTear, Steve Williams, or Ray Robinson in the 100." Wooten finished fifth in the Olympic 200m Quarterfinals with a time of 21.15.
In 2013, James Wooten joined the Fayetteville State University Athletic Hall of Fame.Â
