Nov. 7, 2008
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Funeral arrangements for former Villanova University track & field star Larry James have been announced. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 10:00 am at Victory First Presbyterian Deliverance Church, 1013 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.
In lieu of flowers, the James family suggests that well-wishers make a donation to the G. Larry James Legacy Fund. Donors sending $40 or more will receive a DVD of last December's tribute to James--"Four Decades of Excellence"
James died on Thursday, Nov. 6 of colon cancer. James, 61, graduated from Villanova in 1970 with a degree in Business Administration and is still the current school record holder in the indoor 500 yards (55.4), the outdoor 400 meters (43.97) and the outdoor 440 yards (45.2).
"I was unfortunate not to know Larry James as an athlete, but I am grateful to rely on the fabulous stories told and retold," said Villanova men's track & field head coach Marcus O'Sullivan. "During his battle with cancer the last few years, I began to know Larry James the man. He was always so grateful for the love and kindness that so many of the Villanova alumni shared with him, and in turn, allowed him to reciprocate that very same love. Everyone knows what a great athlete he was, but more importantly, he was a wonderful husband and father. Larry was a tremendous human being and he will be deeply missed."
During his Villanova career, James won 11 IC4A championships, six Penn Relay titles and seven NCAA championships. He was the NCAA champion in the 440 yards on four different occasions, as well as a champion in the mile relay three times. He was part of the inaugural class of former Wildcats inducted to the Villanova Wall of Fame on Oct. 7, 1995.
James, nicknamed "The Mighty Burner," competed at the 1968 Olympic Games and came away with one gold medal and one silver medal. The gold came in the 1,600 meter relay, in which the United States dominated the competition. In the semifinals, the U.S. posted a time of 2:56.1, erasing the old world, Olympic and American standard by 4.7 seconds. James ran the third leg of the relay and turned in a 43.8 split which was the fastest on the team. In the individual 400 meter race, he ran 43.9 seconds, just 0.1 off a world record and gold medal winning time.
In addition to being on the Villanova Wall of Fame, James is also a member of both the USA Track and Field and Penn Relays Hall of Fame.
G. Larry James Legacy Fund
