Hall of Fame Focus Feature Story
James Ford was a groundbreaking player for Rutgers men's lacrosse from 1977-1980. During his tenure, he became a three-time All-American, including a Second Team honor in 1980. Ford was the program's first African American captain, as well as the first African American to receive All-American honors.
Ford is Rutgers' all-time leader in assists with 131 and added 70 goals to sit fourth all-time with 201 career points. As a senior in 1980, he posted 73 points, a then-record that currently stands as the second-most all-time in a single season for a Scarlet Knight. His 51 assists in 1978 are the second most for a RU player in a single season.
A four-year letter winner, Ford was a three-time recipient of the team's Alfred Sasser Trophy, an honor awarded to a team member who made the most assists during the year. Additionally, in 1979 Ford was also named the team's William Miller Trophy winner, an accolade bestowed to a team member in good academic standing who, by his own example, constituted an inspiration to his teammates and made the greatest contribution to the team in the season's play. In 1980, he was selected to participate in the prestigious North vs. South Senior All-Star Game and earned Rutgers University's Paul Robeson Award.
A two-time participant in World Team tryouts, Ford played for four years on the New Jersey Lacrosse Club and played in the 2006 Masters at the World Games in Canada. Ford also spent the 1980-81 season as an assistant coach at Rutgers.
Prior to Rutgers, Ford excelled at Hempstead High School in Long Island, New York. A two-time captain, he earned All-South Shore honors as a senior with 118 points, 62 goals and 56 assists, which led the South Shore. He posted a total of 228 points in his career behind 121 goals and 107 assists. He was inducted into the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2008.
