James “Rabbit” Fulghum, a 1961 graduate, was a star baseball player at AC and has become one of the best known coaches in eastern North Carolina. Fulghum was a four-year letterman in both baseball and basketball at Rock Ridge. In his senior year, the Rock Ridge basketball team made the State Final Four. He was a member of the baseball team which had an undefeated season.

At Atlantic Christian he lettered in baseball for four years and also competed in JV basketball for two seasons. Fulghum played catcher for the Bulldogs under Coach Jack McComas and the team had two second place finishes in the Carolinas Conference during that period. He batted over .300 for three of those seasons.

Upon graduation he had several invitations to join minor league baseball teams, but instead decided to enter coaching. Fulghum became head baseball coach and head basketball coach for both boys and girls at North Edgecombe High School. His 1962-63 boys’ basketball team there compiled a 30-1 record and won the State 1-A Championship.

Three years later Fulghum moved to Greene Central to become head basketball coach for boys and head baseball coach. In the 25 years that Fulghum has directed the baseball team at Greene Central he has achieved outstanding success, winning three state championships and 11 league titles. His 1972 and 1980 teams won the State 3-A title and his 1987 squad won the 2-A championship. He has also served as Director of Athletics at the school for 21 years.

Fulghum has coached the Post 94 American Legion Baseball Team for the past 17 years, taking teams to the N.C. Eastern Finals four times and to the State Championship Series twice.

Fulghum and his wife Janette, a native of Rock Ridge, now make their home in Snow Hill. They have a son, Jabo, and daughter, Jackie.