Came to Manhattan on scholarship from the well-known Bishop Loughlin High School. Often scored for the Jaspers in pole vault, broad jump, high jump and javelin. As a sophomore, he tied for first in the pole vault at the Senior Metropolitan Amateur Athletic Union Championship meet in 1949 and taking first in the pole vault at the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Championship Meet. At that competition, he contributed a third place in high hurdles and fifth in broad jump. He continued his winning ways that season at Annapolis, West Point and the Spring Metropolitans to name a few. In his junior year, Jim continued to rack up the medals at the Indoor and Outdoor Mets, National Junior AAU Indoor Championships, Seton Hall and Villanova. He also was a member of the winning National AAU Championships 2,900-meter Medley Relay team, while running for the New York Athletic Club. By senior year, Jim was captain, a title rarely given to a field competitor. He medaled in competitions throughout the season, tying the Indoor Met 60 high hurdles record and placing first in the 60 high hurdles at the National Junior AAU Championships. At the IC4As, Jim placed fourth in high hurdles, adding crucial points to the Jaspers who squeaked out a victory for the first time in a dozen years by a margin of less than two points.