Hall of Fame
Jim Skipper was a fixture at Canisius High School for 40 years. A Respected teacher of health and physical education, he matched his success in the classroom with his many achievements as a coach of junior varsity basketball and varsity cross-country and track. Jis remarkable coaching skills were crucial to winning three Catholic League track championships and 12 cross-country titles. Many Hall of Fame athletes thrived under his direction: Phil McConkey, Paul Cummings, Mark Fitzgerald, Bill Knox, Tony Leone, Kevin Walter, and the record-setting Mile Relay Team.Â
During his years as athletic director, from 1985-1997, Jim served as a mentor to the other Canisius coaches and played a key role in expanding the school's athletic program. His emphasis on thorough preparation and the team concept continues to influence his former students, who have gone on to lead exemplary lives both personally and professionally. It is a measure of Jim's lasting influence that, over the years, Canisius students in need of sympathy or guidance have often turned to him for help and comfort.Â
