James Wallace '97 is one of the greatest defensive backs in the history of Ripon's football program, while also competing on the Red Hawks' Track & Field team. A four-time First Team All-Conference selection on the gridiron, including once as a return specialist, Wallace was Ripon's first-ever Midwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year, earning the award as a junior in 1995. An Anthropology major from Berlin, Wis., Wallace was inducted into Ripon's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

"Jim will go down in Midwest Conference history as one of the best defensive backs to have ever played in this league," Ripon Head Football Coach Ron Ernst said. "He had an outstanding work ethic and was essentially a shut down defensive back that took away half the field each game."

He has the numbers to back up that claim. At the time of his graduation, Wallace's 229 tackles and 17 interceptions during his Red Hawks career both ranked third in program history, and each still stand in the top 10 of each category. Wallace still holds the school record for longest punt return in school history, returning one 86 yards against Illinois College in 1995, which also stands as the seventh-longest return in conference history.

After a freshman campaign that saw him record just one interception, Wallace earned his first career All-Conference nod as a sophomore, receiving First Team honors after a season that saw him record five interceptions. He earned an Honorable Mention All-America nod as a kick returner that same season, while also serving as the team's punter (32.4 average).

As a junior, Wallace helped lead Ripon to the MWC Championship game, as he finished second in all of Division-III with nine interceptions, en route to MWC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and a second consecutive First Team All-Conference selection. Those nine picks are still the seventh-most in a single season in MWC history and ranks fourth in school history. He also earned First Team All-Conference honors as a return specialist that season, leading the nation in punt return average (17.9), en route to First Team All-America honors.

Wallace then capped off his career in style, helping the Red Hawks win the 1996 MWC Championship with a 9-1 record, as he was again named First Team All-Conference. That season saw him record two interceptions.

"Jim was an All-American punt returner, which showed his tremendous versatility," Ernst said. "He had sprinter speed and could hit like a linebacker. Jim was one of the toughest players I've ever coached."

After graduation, Wallace served as a Carpenter for GJS Traditional Building, while also serving as President of the construction company James Wallace, Inc. He then worked for Activar Construction Products Group, before transitioning into his current role as Senior Project Management Consultant at All Around Property Preservation in Golden Valley, Minn. Wallace and his fiance Jennifer currently live in Minneapolis, Minn.


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