“Frank Merriwell-The All American Boy in the Button-down Collar”, that’s how Jim was described by the Alumni Director of his alma mater, Springfield College. Jim played a different sport every season, and excelled at all of them. This 1963 graduate of Spring Valley High School lettered in football, basketball and track every year, and was the captain of each of these three sports in his senior year. As a freshman Jim won the Rockland County and Section 9 triple jump championship. He added the county long jump championship to his resume in his junior year in high school. In his senior year Jim was a member of the Section 9 championship 880 relay team, and individually he won the Section 9 long jump championship. As an All County football player Jim was a true triple threat, from the quarterback position or at halfback. He could run the ball with power, was always a threat to pass, and was an outstanding punter. In the summer when school was not in session, Jim kept in shape and satisfied his need to compete by playing baseball for the Spring Valley Kiwanis in the American Legion Baseball League.

At Springfield College Jim was a key member of the 1966 undefeated football team. He averaged 49 yards a punt and was ranked in the top twenty in the nation in his sophomore year. Jim lettered three years in football while at Springfield. Jim also was a member of the winter and spring track teams during his college career. He lettered four years in winter track and three years in spring track. In his senior year, Jim was voted captain of the spring track team.

Jim began his teaching career at Ramapo High School in 1968, the first year that the school was opened. He coached for fifteen years at Ramapo, working with the football and basketball teams and serving as the head coach for cross country, winter and spring, boys and girls track teams. Jim retired from coaching on the high school level but still volunteered his time and expertise to co-direct the now defunct Box James Memorial Track Meet. Jim also spent time volunteering in community athletics such as Hal Block Soccer, T-Ball, and the RBA basketball league.

Jim has retired from teaching and has embarked on a new career as a carpenter. He still lives in Spring Valley with his wife Rhonda. They have three children; Joy, Scott, and Stephanie. His hobbies include woodworking and fishing.