CONTRIBUTOR

James “Jim” Leahey is well known for his sustained level of excellence for so many decades as a tireless professional sportscaster, and his presence synonymous with the ascent of University of Hawaii sports. Jim was recognized as Hawaii’s Sportscaster of the Year 19 times by the National Sports Media Association (13 more than any other Hawaii sportscaster).

But it is love and loyalty to the people of Hawaii, especially its athletes, that makes him especially worthy of induction as a contributor.

His volunteer activities included umpiring Little League baseball games; chairing Don Murphy’s Coaches Against Cancer campaign; serving on the Hawaii High School Sports Hall of Honor selection committee from its inception; master of ceremonies for HMSA’s Kaimana Awards program, along with innumerable athletic banquets where he served as MC or keynote speaker, and the mentoring of so many young sportswriters and sportscasters. Even in his final years, Jim volunteered his time to appear in commercials to increase awareness of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), along with coaching legends Dave Shoji and Vince Goo. He also appeared as a guest in many shows, such as PBS’ “Insights.”

In 1997, he was given the Neil Blaisdell Award by the Honolulu Quarterback Club. The Neal Blaisdell Award was awarded to any professional or non-professional athlete or other person in the field of sports, who, throughout the years, devoted his or her exemplary efforts to bring great recognition to sports in Hawaii.

The Quarterback Club honored Jim again in 2006, with the inaugural Les Keiter Award, which annually recognized a Hawaii media member for “contributions to sports in the islands.”

Jim was honored with induction into the University of Hawai’I’s Circle of Honor in 2016.

Born December 1942