Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
McCormick, Jim
Jim McCormick
- Induction:
- 2005
- Class:
- 1980
The only Lehigh football player to earn All-America recognition at two levels, Jim McCormick became the first Lehigh football player to earn such an honor exclusively for his defensive play. A four-year starter at outside linebacker while handling the team’s punting duties for three seasons, McCormick was also a two-year starter on Lehigh’s baseball team.
McCormick originally came to Lehigh as a tight end, but was quickly moved to the outside linebacker spot by head coach John Whitehead. On the defensive side of the ball, McCormick quickly made his presence known by leading the team in tackles as a freshman, recording 98 stops. He was also named a game-day captain as a freshman, which is a highly unusual honor for a newcomer.
By his sophomore season, McCormick was a star. On the 1977 national championship team, he again led the team in tackles, recording 113 - including eight for a loss. At the same time, McCormick averaged over 34 yards per punt in 1977. He was also named Chevrolet's Player of the Game for his performance in the national semifinal victory over a highly rated Cal-Davis team. His junior season, McCormick made 106 tackles, recorded two interceptions, and averaged 32 yards per punt to earn Division II Honorable Mention All-America status.
As a senior in 1979, Lehigh’s program moved up to a newly-created Division I-AA level, and McCormick continued to dominate. He was a tri-captain on the team that was a national runner-up. In addition to capturing the Hall Foundation award given to the graduating male athlete of the year, McCormick was a Kodak First Team and Associated Press First-Team All-American. He amassed over 400 tackles in his career.
On the baseball diamond, McCormick played on Lehigh’s conference-winning team as a freshman, and led the Engineers in both home runs and runs batted in as a sophomore. He played right field, first base, designated hitter, and was also a pitcher. However, McCormick's baseball career ended abruptly when he sustained a serious knee injury in the last minute of the Lehigh-Lafayette football game his junior year.
“I am humbled by this honor, and I am greatly pleased at the same time,” McCormick said of his induction. “Because I was a defensive player, I didn't think that I would get in. There are a lot of deserving defensive players in Lehigh history, and hopefully my entry will open doors for the many other deserving defensive players.”
McCormick graduated from Lehigh with a degree in history in 1980. A resident of Millville, New Jersey, McCormick has been active as a local coach within his community. He was a youth baseball coach in Millville for nine seasons, and a youth football coach in the area for three seasons. He went on to work for Silgan Plastics, serving as an account manager.
McCormick originally came to Lehigh as a tight end, but was quickly moved to the outside linebacker spot by head coach John Whitehead. On the defensive side of the ball, McCormick quickly made his presence known by leading the team in tackles as a freshman, recording 98 stops. He was also named a game-day captain as a freshman, which is a highly unusual honor for a newcomer.
By his sophomore season, McCormick was a star. On the 1977 national championship team, he again led the team in tackles, recording 113 - including eight for a loss. At the same time, McCormick averaged over 34 yards per punt in 1977. He was also named Chevrolet's Player of the Game for his performance in the national semifinal victory over a highly rated Cal-Davis team. His junior season, McCormick made 106 tackles, recorded two interceptions, and averaged 32 yards per punt to earn Division II Honorable Mention All-America status.
As a senior in 1979, Lehigh’s program moved up to a newly-created Division I-AA level, and McCormick continued to dominate. He was a tri-captain on the team that was a national runner-up. In addition to capturing the Hall Foundation award given to the graduating male athlete of the year, McCormick was a Kodak First Team and Associated Press First-Team All-American. He amassed over 400 tackles in his career.
On the baseball diamond, McCormick played on Lehigh’s conference-winning team as a freshman, and led the Engineers in both home runs and runs batted in as a sophomore. He played right field, first base, designated hitter, and was also a pitcher. However, McCormick's baseball career ended abruptly when he sustained a serious knee injury in the last minute of the Lehigh-Lafayette football game his junior year.
“I am humbled by this honor, and I am greatly pleased at the same time,” McCormick said of his induction. “Because I was a defensive player, I didn't think that I would get in. There are a lot of deserving defensive players in Lehigh history, and hopefully my entry will open doors for the many other deserving defensive players.”
McCormick graduated from Lehigh with a degree in history in 1980. A resident of Millville, New Jersey, McCormick has been active as a local coach within his community. He was a youth baseball coach in Millville for nine seasons, and a youth football coach in the area for three seasons. He went on to work for Silgan Plastics, serving as an account manager.
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