A Bishop Loughlin graduate.  Part of George Eastment's Track renaissance at Manhattan College. He competed in varsity shot put and high jump for four years. He came to Manhattan after already competing as a freshman at Swathmore College in 1945, where he was captain of the freshman team.  Gillcrist also competed for the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947, taking second place at the ICC's and 3^rd place in the Penn Relays, both in the high jump. In 1947, he donned the Kelly green. Jim had numerous victories that year, including second place finishes in the high jump at the Metro Intercollegiate, IC4A and Seton Hall Relays, adding another second place finish at Seton Hall in the broad jump.

His wins continued to mount in 1950, placing in everything from dual meets against the likes of Army and Villanova to a second place in the high jump at the IC4As, which contributed to the Jaspers taking the championship. He also took first in the high jump and second in the broad jump at the Mets. The victory over West Point was especially sweet since no one had defeated them in a dual meet in eight years. Gillcrist finished his time at Manhattan as captain, a title rarely given to a field competitor on the team. That year, Manhattan won all New York State Intercollegiate meets that Gillcrist competed. He medaled in the high jump, broad jump and discus, jumping his personal best for Manhattan at the Boston Athletic Associations Indoor Games to take second place with a leap of 6 feet, 4 1/8 inches.