By: Director of Athletic Communications and Public Relations Kevin Ruple
BEREA, Ohio -- Being outstanding has never been hard for 1985 Baldwin Wallace University graduate Jim Magazine. That's because he's a natural born leader in every way, shape and form. Recently, Magazine was honored for his excellence as one of America's Top 100 Attorneys with his Lifetime Achievement Selection. http://www.lucasmagazine.com/attorneys/james-magazine/
"I am honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help people and hopefully make a difference in their lives," said Magazine, who is a managing partner at Lucas | Magazine Law in New Port Richey, Florida, where he handles all types of cases but really loves trial law and working behind the scenes with lobbyists. "I was both happy and surprised."
Magazine credits the law profession as making a difference with him each and every day. The profession definitely fits his fast-paced, highly-aggressive personality.
"Trial law and working with lobbyists is fast-paced and the negotiations can change in a matter of seconds," said Magazine, who is a member of the BW Athletic Hall of Fame as a baseball second baseman. "You have to be ready and have all of your ducks in a row so you are able to effectively help your client.
"In some cases, law is very much instinctual," said Magazine. "The facts are the facts, but just like in sports, and in particular baseball, you have to have the instincts to know the direction of the case. You have to be ready to act and react. I love creating great outcomes that can benefit others, and sometimes a lot of folks at once."
Magazine and BW almost didn't connect. He began his collegiate baseball career as a scholarship student-athlete at NCAA Division I Kent State University. He transferred to BW and he credits that decision as being one of his best-ever.
"Sure, it would have been nice to have a great career at Kent State and to go on to play professional baseball," said Magazine. "But, it wasn't meant to be.
"Once I transferred to BW and was on campus just a short period of time, I knew it was the right decision," continued Magazine. "I received a great education at BW, got to play the game I love and almost had a chance to win a national title with some guys who have become my lifelong friends. We have some memories of the best times in my life."
As a junior in the spring of 1985, Magazine helped to lead BW to a 24-15 record and the best regular season record in the Ohio Athletic Conference (the OAC did not recognize a regular season champion until 2000).
"It gave us the opportunity to host the OAC Tournament in Berea, and that was a big advantage," said Magazine with a big smile. "It rained all weekend and we had to win a tripleheader on the final day, including a sweep of Marietta, one of the two best teams in Division III that year, in the OAC finals. We did it on a long grand slam in the top of the ninth inning. [most BW baseball fans consider this the biggest win in program history]. It qualified us for our first-ever NCAA Division III National Tournament.
"I'll never forget that tripleheader sweep and our NCAA national trip to Wisconsin," continued Magazine, bursting with pride. "We went up there and faced the number-one team in the country, unbeaten Wisconsin Oshkosh and gave them everything they could handle. The final out was a fly ball that their left fielder caught at the fence."
"I remember those games and my experience as a Yellow Jacket every day," finalized Magazine. "I take the lessons I learned at BW in the classroom and at Heritage Field [now Fisher Field] into the courtroom with me every day. Those experiences have made me a better husband, father, lawyer, friend at alumnus."
