Jim Cornelius was a four-year letter winner and starter on the Golden Eagle golf team from 1985 through 1988, earning numerous conference and national honors for both his playing accomplishments and his academic success. He was major part of the team winning eight tournament championships during his career, including the 12-team Tennessee Intercollegiate Championship in 1988 when he won medalist honors.

In all, Cornelius captured first place individually in three tournaments, also winning medalist honors in the 1987 Shorter Classic and in the 1988 Eagle Classic. Twice selected as a team captain, Cornelius was named to eight all-tournament teams during his career, and in 1988 earned a spot on the all-OVC squad. He posted a team-best 77.7 average as Tech compiled a 57-16 overall record in the spring of his senior year.

His ability on the course was matched with his diligence in the classroom. In 1988, Jim was voted Academic All-America, and was named one of six OVC scholar-athletes. He posted a perfect 4.0 grade average throughout his sophomore and junior seasons, and was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll every semester.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1988 in political science, compiling a 3.89 cumulative grade average during his four seasons on the golf squad. He was also names to the OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll each of his four years, and in 1987 won the OVC Medal of Honor for posting the highest grade average in OVC men’s golf. Cornelius was also a finalist for the university’s prestigious Derryberry Award.

Upon graduation, he was accepted to the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham but eventually earned his law degree from the UT college of Law in 1991. After one year as a supreme court clerk, Jim took a position with Hodges, Doughty, and Carson Law Offices in Knoxville in September, 1992.