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Inducted 1978   Growing
up in Racine, Wisconsin, James attended Washington Parks High School and
graduated fourth in his class.
He entered Lake Forest in 1938 and earned two letters in basketball and four in baseball. Compiling a 27-2 career pitching record, including a no-hitter in 1942, James was selected an All-Conference pitcher three consecutive years and earned All America honors twice. He was elected captain his junior year and was Most Valuable Player his senior season; a season in which he averaged 14 strike-outs a game. A member of Digamma Alpha Upsilon, Jim, a business administration major, was also a member of the Economics Club, Lettermen's Club and the Homecoming Committee. Along with serving as president of the Athletic Board of Control, he was also the sports editor for the Stentor. After graduation Jim was offered a contract to play in the National League with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he answered the call to service, joining the U.S. Navy in 1942 and serving in the Pacific theatre. Honorably discharged in 1945, he decided against a professional career in baseball and founded an automotive parts and accessories business, where he served as president and CEO. He stayed with the company until his retirement in 1983.
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