Kansas State University Athletics
Off The Gridiron With James Dunnigan
Sep 18, 2002 | Football
Sept. 18, 2002
by Ryan Schulz, Kansas State Sports Information student assistant
Not many people can say they have played basketball with a player who played Division I, let alone the NBA. If your list of past foes on the basketball court sounds more like an NBA roster or the starting lineup of the Chicago Bulls you probably aren't Mr. Hustle down at the local gym. But if you are James Dunnigan, playing against current and future NBA players was a common occurrence.
Despite his 5-foot-8 frame Dunnigan, a senior cornerback, has played against the likes of Tracy McGrady (Orlando Magic), Joe Forte (Seattle SuperSonics), DerMarr Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), Roger Mason Jr. (Chicago Bulls), Kentucky star Keith Bogans and the list go on. His high school teammate Ruben Boumtje Boumtje (Portland Trail Blazers) is even in the NBA.
Growing up in Washington D.C., where basketball is king, Dunnigan lettered all four years at Archbishop Carroll High School in basketball and football.
"If I could (play basketball) for a college, Division I, I would have loved to do that," Dunnigan said.
At the time, Dunnigan's high school basketball team at one time was ranked 13th nationally by USA Today. That same year it advanced to the Washington Catholic Conference Championship (WCAC) championship game. Though it lost the game to Gonzaga High School, Dunnigan still talks about how it beat Mount Zion Academy and superstar Tracy McGrady by one point in the WCAC Tournament.
Despite being a member of a successful basketball team, Dunnigan's future wa in football, something he became sure of during his freshman year.
Dunnigan's former basketball coach and the current Archbishop Carroll athletic director Carroll Holmes was impressed with Dunnigan.
"His toughness. He was a very tough kid, very athletic, very coachable," Holmes said. "He's dedicated and he had a commitment to excellence. On the football field, basketball court or weight room, he's a very hard worker at whatever he does."
With promising success on the gridiron, Dunnigan entertained basketball offers to some smaller schools, such as Mount St. Mary's, but none of the other schools were big enough or persuasive enough to draw him away from his Division I football offers.
"He had (Division I) potential because of his dedication," Holmes said. "He had a great heart. He probably would have been great in any sport. His toughness and intelligence is what set him apart. It wouldn't have mattered what he had played, he would have been good."
However, Dunnigan hit one road block as he failed to qualify to attend the University of Virginia (where he had verbally committed). As a result, Dunnigan attended the famous Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. The academy is known for its famous alumni such as NFL stars Eddie George and Vinny Testaverde.
It was at the academy where Dunnigan switched his position to cornerback from tailback.
"When I was (at Fork Union) there there was a tailback named Jasper Saints and he was everything. An All-American man. You should have seen this guy," Dunnigan said. "I walked on campus and knew there was no way, I was going to beat him out. I knew I needed to play that year because it is a one-year program and if I didn't play, I didn't get recruited."
Thus the switch to cornerback.
Some might say Dunnigan took the road less traveled getting to Kansas State.
As a freshman, Dunnigan started eight of 12 games at cornerback for Purdue. He then transferred to Garden City Community College where he was a preseason junior college All-American candidate at cornerback and wide receiver.
Dunnigan finally found his home in Wildcat country where he played in nine games last year.
"I have experienced so much," Dunnigan said. "I already knew what I wanted to do when I was choosing my schools (while at Garden City) and what type of program I wanted to play for. Compared to high school, I didn't know what to expect. Coming from JuCo via Purdue, it was a smooth transition for me."
Yet another twist in his travels came during his freshman campaign at Purdue, Dunnigan's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
"My dad (James) caught Alzheimer's," Dunnigan said. "I didn't realize the effect of how much Alzheimer's can change a person. It was a mind-blowing experience. He went from a guy you could just sit down with and have a conversation to now when you go home he doesn't understand a word you are saying. He might not even recognize you. That's your dad somebody you grew up with, a father figure you look up to and now you're taking care of him."
Due to his father's illness and being close to his family, Dunnigan learned many things in life.
"When I go home, I spend as much time with him as I can," Dunnigan said. "I don't even hang out with my friends as much as I used to. I've matured now, realizing you have to cherish your time with your family and just put other things aside. That's one thing I have learned through all of this."
As for the future Dunnigan hopes to someday play professionally, already planning on attending the NFL scouting combine next spring. As a native of D.C., he'd love to play in his hometown for his favorite team, the Washington Redskins, but he says he would just like to get a shot anywhere.
A social science major, Dunnigan has also made plans for after football - to start his own clothing company.
"I like to look nice," Dunnigan said. "Why not jump into the clothing business, doing something you like."
The style of clothing he would like to get into is urban wear. But in the future look for him to delve into suits and ties.
Whatever career path Dunnigan follows, he is sure to be ready for any of life's twists and turns as he has already handed the ones thrown his way.