Jim attended Sacred Heart grade school and St. Mary’s high school, playing football and excellent in track. His most outstanding football game as a defensive halfback was against Regis – it ended in a tie game, but Regis won on yardage.

Jim held the record at St. Mary’s in the 440 and the 880-yard dash. His other accomplishments while attending St. Mary’s: OSAA A-2 440, 800 champion 1966 1^st place Oregon Invitational Indoor Track meet – 500-yard dash; 3^rd place, 880-yard dash National High school Invitational track meet 1966; Oregon A-2 Track Athlete of the Year 1966. His personal bests are: 880-yard dash – 1:48.8 and 440-yard dash – 48.0.