JIM FAFLIK '62
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He was a four-year starter as an offensive and defensive end in football. His freshman football team was undefeated with an 8-0 record. They had a rock-solid defense which went unscored upon in the first five games. Offensively they outscored their opponents 204- 28. During his junior varsity year they again went undefeated with an 8-0 record and outscored their opponents 242-44. An amazing 16-0 two-year record. During his junior and senior varsity years they were the East Senate Co-Champions culminating by playing in the 1961 PD Charity Game for the City Championship vs Holy Name High School. Their four-year record of 29-5-1 rates as one of the best in school history. Jim Faflik ’62 Jim’s fondest Latin moments include: playing in the Plain Dealer Charity Game; the classic 8-8 tie game vs St. Joe’s; intercepting a pass in the East High game and returning it 63 yards through the sleet, mud and rain only to get stopped at the one-yard line; and the camaraderie among his teammates. Another memory is Jim’s best friend from grade school, John Blakemore, captain of St. Joe’s football team, getting carted off the field during the game. That has led to some good-natured ribbing amongst them for the past 60 years. Jim was All-East Senate on both the Cleveland Press and Cleveland Plain Dealer teams. Jim also was a starter on the basketball team 3 of his 4 years – freshman, sophomore, and senior. He was a leading rebounder, strong defender and team player. His freshman basketball team had a 15-2 record, which was one of the best in the history of Latin. Jim was an outstanding student and athlete which led him to receive a full athletic (football) and academic scholarship to the prestigious Purdue University. While at Purdue he played on teams that were nationally ranked. A few of his teammates were future NFL players such as Larry Kaminski ’62 and Bob Griese who went on to notable careers. Jim received a degree in industrial management from Purdue University and in 1966 went to work for Packard Electric in Warren, Ohio. In 1982 Jim moved to El Paso, Texas continuing to work for General Motors in Juarez, Mexico. He retired after 38 years but continued to be a part-time consultant. Jim and his wife Nan, whom he met in college, have been married for 56 years. They have three children – Julie, David and Jonathan. Jim and Nan have been involved with Borderland Missions of Mercy for 15 years. This organization helps provide needy children a safe and secure supportive environment. Jim joins his 1962 teammates Bob DeSapri, Larry Kaminski, Rick Myslenski and Ray Paglio.
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