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James Jarrett, an Accounting Technician in Accounts Receivable at DFAS Columbus, was inducted in the Central State University Sports Hall of Fame October 9. Central State, located in Wilberforce, Ohio, and located near Dayton, Ohio, is a small university with nearly 2,000 students.
Jarrett attended East High School, located in Columbus, Ohio. There he played basketball and football. After High School, Jarrett received a scholarship to play basketball at a junior college in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In the spring of 1969, Jarrett transferred to Central State.
“I chose Central State because I had some friends who were students there. They were on the football team, and told me that they needed some players on the team,” said Jarrett.
Since Jarrett did not have a scholarship for Central State, he was forced to walk-on. After a tryout in the spring, Jarrett was informed that he had made the team.
As a 5’9, 180 pound defensive back and kick and punt returnee freshman, Jarrett didn’t start in his first career collegiate game, but got the opportunity to play and never looked back.
“I played in three quarters in my first game, and had two interceptions and a 35 yard average on punt returns. I started every game after that first one,” said Jarrett.
Jarrett’s two interceptions came against Tennessee State and former Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Joe Gilliam. Jarrett mentioned that Gilliam wasn’t the only famous football name that he played against.
“I played against Ron Jaworski when he was at Youngstown State; I played against Ed ‘Too Tall Jones’ when he was at Tennessee State; and I also played against Baldwin Wallace College when Lee Tressel, the father of Ohio State’s head coach Jim Tressel, was the head coach there,” said Jarrett.
Jarrett had a stellar college career, setting school records and earning numerous awards. His freshman season, he set a then school record of 10 interceptions, which was broken in 1987. In his freshman season of 1969, he was named freshman of the year for his National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics conference and he also ranked fifth in the nation for small colleges for punt returns. After his freshman season, he received a football scholarship. Jarrett also was named First-Team All NAIA in District 22 in 1969 and 1971. During his senior year of 1972, Jarrett was name a Team captain. For his career at Central State University, Jarrett had a total of 22 career interception. That record still stands today.
In 1973, Jarrett received his Bachelors degree in Recreation. Today, he is the membership committee co-chairman for the Columbus Chapter of the Central State University Alumni Association. He has been with DFAS for 20 years.
During the Hall of Fame weekend, Jarrett was honored at a Hall of Fame dinner, and was also recognized at during Central State’s October 10 Homecoming game versus Kentucky State.
“It’s Central State’s duty to recognize these former great student athletes and their achievements,” said Central State’s Athletic Director, and College and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Kellen Winslow Sr.
According to Winslow, there were more than 14,000 people in attendance for the Hall of Fame weekend.
“It’s truly one of the greatest weekends of the year at Central State,” said Winslow.
Winslow also said that being in a hall of fame is truly a humbling experience.
“Anytime you go back to visit where you were inducted, it really sinks in and makes you ask yourself, ‘Am I really worthy of this,’ but since you are in the hall of fame, it makes you realize that you really are,” said Winslow.
According to Jarrett, this honor is truly a great achievement.
“It’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. It’s a great story tell since I was a walk-on to the football team. I’m glad that my achievements have been recognized,” said Jarrett.
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