Mayor, Thomas Thompson is collecting donations for a Cotton Fitzsimmons statue to be constructed inside Bowling Green. While the Mayor is spearheading this project, it is not a City of Bowling Green venture; the statue will be funded through donations only, not taxes. 

If you would like to donate to the Cotton Fitzsimmons statue fund, please scan the QR code to pay electronically or you can mail a check to City Hall. All checks should be made payable to Tom Thompson with "Cotton Fitzsimmons statue" in the memo line.

 

Please see a message from the Mayor, Thomas Thompson, below:

"Today, we have the opportunity to honor one of our own by bringing Cotton Fitzsimmons home. Born and raised in Bowling Green, Cotton’s remarkable journey began as a standout athlete for the Bowling Green Bobcats before continuing his basketball career with the Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans. His passion for the game led him into coaching, where he guided the Moberly Greyhounds to back-to-back National Championships in 1966 and 1967. From there, his career reached extraordinary heights. Cotton coached at Kansas State University before moving to the NBA, where he led the Phoenix Suns, Buffalo Braves, Kansas City Kings, and San Antonio Spurs.

Throughout his distinguished career, he earned 832 NBA victories, and in 2021, he was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - basketball’s highest honor. Despite his national success, Cotton never stopped being Bowling Green’s hometown hero. His story is a powerful reminder that dreams can begin in a small town and reach the biggest stages through dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

We are raising funds to commission a life-sized bronze statue of Cotton Fitzsimmons, to be placed on the southwest corner of the downtown square beside the Bowling Green Annex Building. This monument will serve as a lasting tribute to his legacy and as an inspiration for future generations to dream big, work hard, and believe that anything is possible. This project is a true grassroots effort and will be funded entirely through private donations, without the use of taxpayer dollars. Every contribution, regardless of the amount, brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality. 

As a special recognition, businesses and individuals who contribute $1,000 or more will have their name permanently displayed on a bronze plaque affixed to the four-foot pedestal supporting the statue. I hope you will consider partnering with us in honoring one of Bowling Green’s greatest ambassadors."