His contributions to wrestling span a half-century. And yet, Jim Peckham's enthusiasm for this great sport is as intense today, if not more so, than it was 50 years ago.

He never had the opportunity to wrestle in high school or college, but at the age of 14 he looked for any opportunity that might bring him to a gymnasium.

After successful ventures in swimming and football, he was able to convince coaches at MIT and Milton Academy in Massachusetts that even at the age of 15 he had a love for athletic training and competition, especially in wrestling. They took him at his word.

During the next decade, Peckham competed nationally in freestyle and Greco-Roman. In 1954, he became the Eastern AAU champion and was voted the outstanding wrestler of the competition.

In 1956, he was selected as a member of America's Greco-Roman Olympic team. It was in Melbourne that he lost a very controversial decision that cost him the opportunity to wrestle for a silver or gold medal.

In 1962, he started a coaching career that was to span three decades. His collegiate coaching career at Emerson College covered the years 1964-1983. He then took over the Harvard University program where he remained until 1994.

On the international level, Peckham served as U.S.A. head coach for 38 major international competitions including the Olympic team of 1976, World Championship teams of 1974, '75 and '82; and the Pan American Games team of 1979.

During his international coaching career, he coached 19 World and/or Olympic champions in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

As a man whose accomplishments as a competitor, coach, administrator and official have made a lasting impact on the sport of wrestling, James Cameron Peckham is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.