Hailing from the small town of Homer, Illinois, sophomore Dalton James has always had a passion for staying active. With his recent stunning run backs for Knox football, many might be surprised to learn the game is just the latest addition to Dalton's athletic portfolio.
 
"I actually didn't start playing football until my junior year of high school," James said. While he started out playing defensive corner and offensive slot receiver for his high school team, it would be special teams that gave James the chance to enter the record books.
 
"I set the record at Knox for most punt return yards in the game. I couldn't have done it without my team, they had a lot of really great blocks," James recalled. For his performance in that game against Illinois College, James was named the Midwest Conference Football Performer of the Week for Special Teams. "Our team is all about enjoying each other's company and playing the game how it's supposed to be played," James said. "We're actually one of the least penalized teams in the nation."
 
An environmental studies major with plans to minor in either economics or business, James has found a welcoming community at Knox. "The people here just reeled me in. I just knew this was the place when I visited for the first time." James says this same spirit extends to professors in the classroom, "Going to a smaller school, you can definitely see that they care more about the students."
 
James finds time to engage with the Galesburg community. "Some of the members of the football team go to Blessings in a Backpack at a local church every Tuesday night," said James. "It all goes to a local school, for kids that don't have a lot of food at home."
 
James credits his high school physical education teacher and basketball coach, Andy Place, with encouraging him to go out for football and continually pushing him to strive for more. His parents also encouraged his activities and his father often took him fishing and to other outdoor activities.
 
Despite the extra workload of college academics and increased athletic commitment, James has yet to slow down. "In high school I did everything. From football to basketball, and when I didn't have a baseball game, I would run track," James chuckled. At Knox, he is still looking into running track, but plays for the baseball team as well. "I play outfield and am typically the lead-off batter but I don't know where I'll start this year." He hopes to pursue one of the two sports after he graduates.