PELLA—Saluting him for more than 60 years of dedication to Central College as a standout athlete, coach, administrator and supporter, the Spirit of Central Award will be presented to Jim Danks at the school's football season home opener Sept. 11.
           
Danks, a 1964 graduate, will be recognized prior to Central's 1 p.m. contest with Kalamazoo College (Mich.) at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.
            "Jim bleeds Central red," athletics director Eric Van Kley said. "And his passion is serving Central students. Even during the years he wasn't working on campus, his heart was here. Recognizing the countless contributions Jim has made is long overdue. We've never presented the Spirit of Central Award before and I can't think of anyone who embodies that title more."
           
A Runnells, Iowa native, Danks was recruited to Central by long-time Dutch coach Babe Tysseling and in 1961 was a member of the first squad coached by College Football Hall of Fame member Ron Schipper.  He took over as the starting center in the fourth game of his freshman season and was in the lineup for the final 33 games of his career. An all-Iowa Conference honoree in 1962 and 1963, Danks gained NAIA All-District distinction in 1963 as well as NAIA All-American honorable mention and received Central's Mentink Award for leadership by performance and example.
           
Following a brief stint as head football coach at Pella High School while earning a master's degree at Drake University, Danks returned to Central in 1966 as assistant coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Schipper. He served as associate professor of physical education. He also became Central's first wrestling coach, serving the program for four seasons.
           
In 1974, Danks left Central for a senior sales management role at Pella Corporation and traveled globally as general manager of international sales. He retired in 2002 but at the request of Central president David Roe returned to the college as interim director of development, serving until 2005.
           
His first wife, Dr. Maureen Croaks Danks was a professor of biology at Central before passing away unexpectedly in 1981. He remarried in 1986 and he and his wife, Phyllis, raised children Ryan and Elizabeth. They now have two grandchildren.
           
Danks received Central's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993, was named to the Heritage Roll of Honor in 1995, the 1853 Club in 1996 and the Cornerstone Society in 1997. He served as national chair of the Central Fund in 1999 and was a member of the Forever Dutch advisory committee, helping lead the recently completed $18-million initiative to renovate and expand P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
           
A long-time Pella Historical Society volunteer, Danks served on the Pella Planning and Zoning Commission for 34 years, including 20 years as chair. He also volunteered with Pella Community Schools.
           
Coach Jeff McMartin, a 1990 Central grad, met Danks on the day he interviewed for the head coaching job.
           
"In the 17 years that I've been coach, Jim Danks has almost been like an extra coach for us," McMartin said. "In fact, we refer to him as the unofficial member of our staff. He's at practice almost every day. He watches film with us, he helps our program with recruiting and campus visits, he's just always been there, doing the little things and whatever we needed."
           
Strength and conditioning coordinator Kyle Johnson said Danks is well known among student-athletes.
           
"He walks on the fieldhouse track early every morning in the winter and then always comes up to the weight room to visit with the kids," Johnson said. "And in the summer when he walks outside, he somehow still manages to end up at the weight room. He always likes to put a name with a face and he enjoys getting to know all the students, not just the football players. All the athletes know him."
           
A surprise announcement of the award was made during a spring football workout when Danks was addressing the team at McMartin's request. Two Central seniors presented Danks with a framed Central football jersey featuring Danks' old college number 53. Danks was then surprised to be joined by his wife, Phyllis, their daughter, Elizabeth, who arrived from Minnesota and their son Ryan, who flew in from Washington, D.C.                                                                                                          
           
It was a special moment not only for Danks but for the athletes and, in particular, McMartin, who has developed a close friendship with him.
           
"We have similar backgrounds and share a love of the Central football program," McMartin said. "I hold him in very high regard."