Former Panther athletic director dies

By John Zucal, Managing Editor
Harry James was one of the school officials who was called upon to help unify East Orange’s two high school athletic departments into a single program when East Orange Campus High School opened in 2002. Since then, the Jaugars have enjoyed strong success in a number of sports.
James, who served as athletic director at East Orange High School and Campus High, died Saturday of a heart attack.
James touched many people’s lives in the city, particularly Van Johnson. Ever since he was 5 years old back in 1964, Johnson knew James. Johnson was a little mascot for the East Orange High School boys’ basketball team while James was a star player for the Panthers.
Throughout the years, Johnson and James remained close friends.
“It’s a big loss for the city,” said Johnson, a park director at Washington Park in East Orange. “Harry James was a mentor figure for my generation. He brought the pro league into Elmwood Park where we saw Dr. J. (Julius Erving), Earl ‘the Pearl’ Monroe, Tiny Archibald, Dave Cowens. All the greats came to play in Harry James’ league. He was a rock to us. He was like a big brother. He always took time to listen and to teach. He was an icon in the city.”
The summer league, the Roche and Carter Basketball League, gained a solid base at East Orange High during the 1990s. The league was sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which meant college athletes were permitted to play in it without endangering their eligibility.
After graduating from East Orange High, James continued his basketball career at Montclair State College. One of his teammates was Bob Lester, who later became the head boys’ basketball coach at East Orange, where he guided the Panthers to county and state championships.
Lester was inducted into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame on Monday.

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