Van and Marie Calhoun moved their family to the Medford area when Jim was two years old, and he has lived here ever since.  Jim feels his athletic career was characterized by “excellent coaching” and was initiated by a fellow inductee Chez, and his brother, Dee. They taught Jim to catch and throw during his pre-school days and he considers them his first “real heroes.”

Jim attended St. Mary’s through all twelve years of grade and high school. He lettered in football, basketball and track in each of his four years of high school. St. Mary’s did not carry Jim’s favorite sport, baseball, during his high school years so he distinguished himself as a javelin thrower during the springtime. His throw of 211’6 1/2″ is to this date still a record at his alma mater.

Jim’s junior and senior years were most eventful. As a junior he was elected class Co-President and was the Student Body President during his senior year. He also earned many awards in sports. Jim was the Outstanding Football and Basketball player in each of his final two years of high school making All Conference as a junior and senior and in basketball as a senior. During his final year of school, he was named the school’s Outstanding Athlete to go along with his selection for the Prep All American Football Squad, honorable mention. Jim also was recipient of the Oregon Notre Dame Club’s Outstanding Catholic Athlete award. Participation in the 1963 Shrine Football game culmi­nated his high school career.

Jim continued in athletics at Southern Oregon College where he lettered all four years in football and baseball. He made All Conference teams in both sports and was on the receiving end of many passes thrown by fellow induct­ee, Dan Miles. While at S.O.C. Jim caught 152 passes and to this date his 14 catches in one game is still a school record.