JIM GORMAN CLASS OF '82 YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2023 Jim Gorman realized his love for competitive sports at a young age. That passion still burns deep in his heart today. "Sports gave me direction and focus," he said. "It taught me work ethic and it showed me that anything was possible." A five-time varsity letter winner, Gorman made his mark at Steinert High School in wrestling and football. After a tough sophomore year wrestling on the varsity, Jim bounced back as a junior to take third place in the Mercer County Wrestling Tournament. As a senior, he won the MCT championship and finished the regular season with a 21-1 record, which set a school record for wins. He was a runner-up in the District 24 tournament and qualified for regionals. Jim was named first-team all-county and was named Most Valuable Wrestler by his coaches for the 1982 season. "Jim would move up and down weight classes to wrestle the other team's best wrestler -- to give us the best chance to win - - with no questions asked -- no complaints," said former SHS wrestling coach Brian Cassidy. "The epitome of a champion! All heart!" On his way to earning two letters in football, he started on the varsity team as an outside linebacker and received honorable mention as a junior on the all-county team. Jim was chosen for the Elks Lodge Senior 11 as well as being named second-team all-county at offensive guard. "Jim played on both sides of the ball and was one of our captains during his senior season," said former SHS football coach Steve Simek. "He was a linebacker and also played on the offensive line. Jim's effort and hard work during practice and games was a great example for his teammates. He was a fierce competitor and played with great intensity. Opposing players needed to keep their head on a swivel if Jim was near them. When it was game time Jim was always ready to go." Jim wrestled for Middlesex Community College where he was named a two-time member of the All-Region XIX. He qualified for the Junior College Nationals as a sophomore. He was also selected co-captain of the wrestling team that placed sixth at the Junior College Nationals. He transferred to Hunter College in New York City. Although he took a redshirt year, he still won the Iron Horse Award for hardest-working athlete in the wrestling room. For the Hunter Hawks, he was a two-time co-captain, two-time MVP and had a career dual meet record of 29-6. Among numerous highlights, he was a two-time Metropolitan Conference place winner, was Outstanding Wrestler in 1988 and that same season was All- New York State and Division 3 All-America. As a senior, he led Hunter to a 16-5 record which set a school record that still stands. He continued his competitive wrestling career in NYC as a five- time Empire State team member. Four times he placed in freestyle in the Empire State Games. He also wrestled on the United States Select team that traveled to Hungary where he won a freestyle tournament in the 180.5 weight class. Jim was not finished with competitive sports yet as he took up judo and then Brazilian jiu jitsu. He has had remarkable success in both. He is a member of the New York Athletic Club, where he has competed in wrestling and judo. From October through March of the last 21 years, Jim has coached wrestling or judo for the boys and girls Saturday morning program. In 1996, Jim won a sports Emmy while working at ESPN for the Summer X Games. He currently works as a Steadicam operator for a news station in NYC. He lives in the Big Apple with his wife Aquatia Owens. RETURN TO THE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS PAGE