Dr. James Blacksmith

Dr. Jim Blacksmith attended Lock Haven State College from 1964 to 1968, graduating with a degree in biology and secondary education. He was an outstanding 2-sport athlete competing in football and wrestling.

He was a fullback/halfback on the football team, playing under legendary coach Hubert H. Jack. He made the All PSAC Offense 1st Team in 1965, 1966, and 1967. He set a single game rushing record of 223 yards against Shippensburg in 1966, and is tied for 4th all-time in career touchdowns with 25. He is also 5th all-time in total points scored with 150, and is tied for 8th in single season rushing TD’s with 11. Jim was a Tri-Captain on the 1967 team and a fact not remembered by many was he also played linebacker and rarely came off the field.

As a wrestler competing on Lock Haven’s national powerhouse team of the 60’s, Jim left his mark as well. He was a PSAC Tournament Champion in 1967 and 1968. He was an NAIA (Small College Nationals) Champion in 1966 and in 1968 he was an NCAA All-American, finishing in 6th place at the National Tournament held at Penn State.

After graduating from Lock Haven, Jim went on to medical school. One example of Jim’s tenacity was that one Saturday morning in the fall of 1967 he took the MCAT test (Medical School Boards) and then rushed back to Lock Haven to play a football game in the afternoon. He graduated with honors from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1972. Jim, now retired, was in practice as a Family Practice Specialist in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania for 45 + years. For many years he was the team physician for Cedar Cliff High School, his alma mater.