|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
San Ramon resident and former University of Arizona track and field star James Frazier was inducted into his alma mater’s sports Hall of Fame earlier this month.
“It was truly an honor to be part of such a prestigious group of athletes, coaches and administrators,” Frazier, a two-time All-American in college, said in an email interview this week.
Frazier and the rest of the 2014 class of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame were honored during an induction ceremony Nov. 7 at the campus in Tuscon, Ariz.
An Arizona Wildcat from 1978-82, Frazier was named an All-American in 1979 and 1980 and owned a school record in the high jump for more than three decades. His mark of 7 feet, 6 inches — set on May 10, 1980 — was bested for the first time by a Wildcat in 2013, according to Arizona athletics officials.
Frazier’s 1980 record-setting jump was also a conference record and represented the third-best jump ever recorded by an American at the time, according to school officials.
“While accepting the induction, I was quick to point out what I considered to be the keys to my success,” Frazier said. “First, understand that all gifts and talents come from God. This keeps you humble and grateful during both victory and defeat.”
“Second, when you are given a talent, you have a solemn duty and responsibility to develop it. Unrealized talent benefits no one,” he added. “Lastly, the ability to fully utilize your talent is directly proportional to the strength of your team. I was fortunate to have great coaches, a supportive family and friends who inspired me to do my best.”
Frazier and his wife, Anita, have four sons and an adopted niece. He works as branch manager of California Mortgage Advisors in Danville and also serves as a member of the San Ramon Valley Rotary Club.
“The same qualities that propelled me in athletics are the same qualities that create my success as a mortgage banker and the philanthropic efforts through the San Ramon Rotary,” Frazier added.
The Hall of Fame induction festivities included the group being honored at halftime of Arizona football’s 38-20 win over the University of Colorado, Boulder on Nov. 8. Frazier’s fellow 2014 inductees included former Arizona football coach Dick Tomey and former Wildcat and NFL running back Trung Canidate.
-
San Ramon resident James Frazier gives his induction speech after being enshrined in the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. (Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics) -
Frazier (center) with Phoebe Chalk Wadsworth, chair of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee, and Greg Byrne, Arizona’s athletic director. (Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics)
As a fellow San Ramon Valley Rotary member I am so honored to know and work with such a wonderful man. We are so proud of James.
James truly lives his life using the keys to success he mentions in the interview. He and his family deserve all the blessings life offers. congratulations on the Hall of Fame induction.
I’ve known James for a good thirty years as a very positive and respectful person–not just to his family only, but to everyone that he meets and greet. His outstanding qualities as a Christians is a definite mark of his success and ability to not only set records in the line of track and field, but most importantly, to create long lasting relationships that are impressionable and directional. This I in and of itself is not fame, but great gain.