North Carolina Central University Athletics

James W. "Shorty" Grimes was the president of the first four-year class at North Carolina College, the class of 1929, and played halfback on that early Eagle football team. He is also a graduate of the Durham State Normal School.

Mr. Grimes coached and served as a schoolteacher and administrator in eastern North Carolina until 1967, when he retired from Eppes High School in Greenville. He earned the Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan.