University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

Jim LeClair came to the University of Minnesota Crookston in 1968 from South St. Paul, Minnesota and was an impact player for UMC. He led the 1968 football team to a 6- 2 record and was at one time during the season ranked nationally. They won the Northern Conference Title of the Minnesota Junior College League. Jim was named to the NCJAA All-Region and All Minnesota football teams. LeClair was captain of the 1969 football team that finished second in the conference and for the second consecutive year was named to the Minnesota State Junior College All-Conference Team,

LeClair was also an outstanding wrestler during his two years at UMC. He finished his final year at UMC with a record of 25-2 in the 190-pound division. In addition to being captain of the wrestling team, he finished his final season ranked fourth in the nation, first in the state and outstanding wrestler in three tourneys.

Of course, his years at UMC were only the beginning of an illustrious career in football at the University of North Dakota where he was a Little All-America linebacker in 1971. He played two years with the Fighting Sioux and was named a two-time North Central All-Conference player and selected as the League's most valuable defensive lineman in 1971. Jim was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1972 and went on to play 14 seasons in professional football spending 12 years with the Cincinnati Bengals and two years with the New Jersey Generals. LeClair had the good fortune to have played in a Super Bowl game while with the Cincinnati Bengals against the San Francisco 49'ers.

Jim was inducted into the University of North Dakota Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. His most recent honor came this past August when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, a very select group of individuals who have had outstanding football careers.

Jim received his bachelor's degree in education from UND in 1971. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Betty), have three children, Kelli, Jamie and Andrew.