Ewell E. “Judge” Waddell was born in 1907 in the small Western Kentucky town of Marion. He graduated from what is now Western Kentucky University, after a career that was academically excellent and athletically extraordinary. He played the vital center position on a single wing offense, and was named a Little All American in 1933. After a winning career at Ludlow High, he came to Highlands in 1942.

During his twelve years as a classroom teacher, he taught many subjects, including U.S. and World history, economics and sociology.

He was head football coach from 1942 through 1954. Those thirteen teams compiled a record of 91 and 37, won six conference titles and claimed two Kentucky State Championships. This was during a time when there were no school classifications, a time when Highlands was a relative David competing with Goliaths, and yet winning.

An intense rivalry existed in those days between Covington Holmes and Highlands. Nevertheless, Judge Waddell became a good friend of the Holmes coach, Tom Ellis. At the height of that rivalry, Tom said “ ‘Judge’ Waddell is a gentleman first and a coach second. He is the finest fellow that I have run into in the coaching profession. He is my best friend in Northern Kentucky.”

In 1954 he gave the reins to Homer Rice, who played on one of his state championship teams, and prepared to take on the job of Superintendent of the Ft. Thomas School system. He successfully led the School through the change-filled and challenging years of 1955 through 1967, and died suddenly after a twenty-five year career in Ft. Thomas. His sons Don, Bill and Phill all played for Highlands.

Broadcast notes from the 1943 Thanksgiving Day State Championship game may be seen here.

2016 Hall of Fame

In 2016, Coach Waddell was inducted into the Highlands High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Photographs from the ceremony can be seen here - Hall of Fame Gallery

Hilltopper

An article was published about the Judge in the October 22nd 1954 Hilltopper. An image of the article can be seen below.