Lack of a conference affiliation is the only reason Jim Colla isn't one of Cardinal Mooney's most heralded linemen. Unfortunately, Jim's junior and senior years occurred while Mooney was changing conferences from the City Series to the SVC. He nonetheless achieved success on the gridiron.

Jim used his size, agility, and aggressiveness to earn All-Diocesan honors his last two seasons, topped off with an All-NEO senior campaign.

College recruiters weren't fooled by Jim's lack of conference acclaim. He won a full scholarship to Miami (Ohio) University where he was a starter on the offensive line for two years. He was named Miami's "Rookie of the Year" as a sophomore and during his collegiate career was twice selected MAC "Lineman of the Week."

Jim later returned to Cardinal Mooney as an English teacher and assistant football coach during which time ('75-'81) CMHS compiled a 65-9 record, with seven SVC championships, two state semi-final appearances, and a state championship in 1980. He became the head football coach at Brookfield High School ('82-'84) building a 20-9-1 record.

Currently a member of the supervision/management team at the Lordstown Assembly Plant for General Motors, Jim is married to the former Karen Petrus and has two sons. He resides in Boardman.