Jim Reckard, the mighty mite of Princeton's heralded 1949-50 freshman basketball team, died of lung cancer Jan. 16, 1998, at his St. Marys, W.Va., residence. Jim grew up in Huntington, W.Va., and graduated from its high school.
Frosh and varsity captain Fred Tritschler said Jim was "a quick point guard who really knew the game" and contributed significantly to the freshmen winning all the Dillon Gym home games and finishing with an enviable 10-2 record. Fred said the diminutive Jim had the skills to play at Princeton's level today. Jim transferred to West Virginia U. in the middle of his sophomore year where he starred in basketball and joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After graduation and service as a captain in the Air Force, Jim returned to St. Marys to operate the family-owned mercantile business. Longtime West Virginia friend Phil Hill '52 talked with Jim the week before he died about the great success of the Tigers' 1997-98 team. When hearing of Jim's death, a saddened Carl Lyle, who roomed with Jim on campus, said it was our loss and West Virginia's gain when Jim returned to his native state. It was also '53's loss when he died. Sympathy is extended to Jim's wife, Barbara, daughter Kaki, sons Eric and Joe, and five grandchildren.
The Class of 1953