SUCCESS: Jim was voted the Randy Zook ’01 Most Valuable Player by teammates in 2015. A two-time team captain and second team All-Centennial Conference linebacker (2014, 2015), he posted 118 tackles in 2014 — the third highest single-season total in SU history — and had a career 288 tackles, ranking sixth all-time. That same season, Jim led all of Division III in solo tackles, finishing first in the nation and first in the Centennial Conference with a showcaseworthy performance that is commemorated in the Garrett Sports Complex. He also ranks third all-time in the Centennial Conference for solo tackles in a career, with 206. He was named SU co-defensive player of the year in 2015. After college, Jim played professional football in Finland and went on to find success in real estate as a creative entrepreneur prior to his untimely death in July 2024.
SERVICE: In 2015, Jim offered heartfelt advice to future SU football players and studentathletes: “Commit to the program and stick with it! There will be a time when you think football might be too much or it may not be for you, but it's important to stay committed. Playing college football is something that a lot of people do not have the opportunity to do. Take advantage of the opportunity and work as hard as you can.” While playing in Finland, he helped to coach and run youth football camps and games during his downtime from practicing and playing himself. In addition, in his professional life here at home, he was involved in helping to run softball fundraisers in support of autism awareness at a couple of the real estate agencies where he worked.
SPIRIT: Jim remained connected to his teammates and alma mater, attending SU games whenever possible. After winning the Stagg Hat and Goal Post trophies in 2016, he said: “…we were playing for all the alumni who have fought to keep the trophies where they belong: at SU. Many alumni have helped me through my journey at school. The only way I could have truly thanked them was to get back what belonged to them. This will be the momentum that will send SU’s football team to the top of the Centennial Conference. When asked about the legacy he hoped to leave, he said: “I hope I will have affected the culture of SU Football. I want to make sure the program has hard working men who are disciplined, focused, committed and ready to be challenged so that they can really enjoy playing the game.”
ADVOCACY: In 2015, Jim shared his leadership philosophy for SU’s student-athletes: “I believe a leader should be accountable, for themselves and for their teammates. A leader should also be able to inspire their teammates and be positive all the time. I am both a vocal leader; I try to express my views and interests without loudly proclaiming my opinion, and I lead by example. I make sure I set the example by working as hard as I possibly can in the classroom, the weight room, in meetings and on the field.”
