KSU – 2002 Graduate – (Double Major) Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Business Marketing

Willie James Jr. was a four-year starter for the Thorobreds. He was recruited out of Kankakee, Illinois (Kankakee High School) by and played for Coach Elwood Johnson. He was the starting second baseman but occasionally would play short stop. His focus was to get on base, which he often did.

While attending KSU, he earned four athletic letters. He was a member of two outstanding academic organizations while carrying a double major, the Alpha Kappa Mu Society and Delta Mu Delta Society. He was not only an outstanding athlete but an outstanding scholar as well.

Willie performed at his best during his Junior and Senior years on the baseball team. During his junior year he led the team in every offensive category, except in Home Runs. He was ranked 34th in the nation with a .430 batting average in the NCAA Division II. He help the team to reach the conference title game. He was selected to play for the 2001 USA Athletics International German Baseball Open. He was selected to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) All-Conference team and was voted as the team Most Valuable Player.

During his senior year, he continued his outstanding play as he had a .421 batting average which placed him 16th nationally in the NCAA Division II. Once again, his team played in the conference title game. He was selected to the SIAC All-Conference team and the team’s Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row.

Willie was selected by his peers as Captain of the team in his sophomore, junior and senior years. He ended his career with some fantastic numbers: Batting average - .356; Runs Scored – 134; Doubles – 32; Triples – 9; Home Runs – 9; Total Base – 242; Runs batted In (RBI) – 96; and, Stolen Bases – 35. His statistics makes him one of the top all-around players in KSU’s history. As a defender, he had an outstanding fielding percentage of .968.

After his career was over, he played a couple of years in the Louisville Semi-Pro leagues.

Willie currently lives in Louisville, KY and is a Senior Manager for Papa John’s International.