Pearl River Community College has had its share of unforgettable students over the decades, but few have left a mark as unique as Eric "Poncho" James — the college's first-ever mascot.

For his energy, creativity and unwavering Wildcat pride, James will receive the Spirit of a Wildcat award as part of Pearl River's Athletics Hall of Fame banque. James is just the fourth recipient of the prestigious award. 

"I'm excited about the honor," James said. "I feel like a lot of my success in life started right there on that campus."

In addition to James, the Wildcats will induct the 2025 Hall of Fame class, which includes men's basketball and football star Larry Brackins, football's Stevie Moody, women's basketball's Polly Kirkland LeVert and men's soccer's Stephen Kulikowski.

SUITING UP
James' story is unlike many others, and it all started with a unicycle and a few milk crates.

Growing up in Picayune, James had a neighbor who was seemingly good at everything. One day, James spied him riding a unicycle, which sparked an interest.

"One day he was outside riding a doggone unicycle, and I thought 'you have got to be kidding me,'" James said. "I decided that day I was learning to ride one. I got a rather inexpensive one and kept trying in my driveway until I could do it."

The ability to ride a unicycle soon became a defining part of James' future campus identity. After graduating from Picayune, he was unsure of his future plans and decided to attend Pearl River for the 1981-82 school years. After moving into his dorm room, there was a need for additional storage, so James hopped on his unicycle and headed off in search of a solution.

"I didn't have a lot of space, so I rode my unicycle over to grab some milk crates I saw behind the cafeteria," he recalled. "As I was leaving, a campus police officer named Troy saw me and told me that I couldn't take them. He had to tell the Dean of Students, Miller Hammill, and I ended up in his office."

Instead of getting in trouble, James was presented with an unexpected opportunity — to try out to be the school's first mascot.

"He told me they were going to have a mascot that year and wanted me to try out for it," James said, laughing. "I told him I'd do it if I could keep the milk crates, but he said no."

Despite not getting to keep the crates, James excelled at the mascot tryout and was locked in as the first in the college's history.

"When you are in the suit, the kids think you're real. You're just showing your personality and trying to be entertaining," he said. "I'd participate in parades, ride the unicycle around and go to basketball and football games. It really made college life fun. I made a lot of friends, and it shaped my life."

As the mascot, James created memories that still make him smile decades later.

"I remember going to bonfires just as myself, then I'd come back in the Wildcat suit," he said. "I really enjoyed providing entertainment for everyone. Campus life was just something you looked forward to. There was always something going on."

James even got to help host U.S. Senator John C. Stennis one day on campus.

"He was really popular back in the day," he said. "I got to help escort him around campus with the faculty. That was a cool moment for me."

Though the planned moments were always fun, the impromptu moments were some that stood out most for James.

"We had traveled to Co-Lin, and there was a girl who was singing the National Anthem," he said. "After it was over, I convinced her to slow dance in the middle of the court. Nobody expected that, but sometimes those moments were the best ones."

AFTER THE RIVER
When James' time at Pearl River ended, he decided to attend the University of Southern Mississippi. He initially didn't plan on being a mascot any longer, but after several conversations with people about it, he decided to try out. When it was nearing time for tryouts, he called on some old Pearl River friends.

"I called up my old cheerleaders and asked if they'd help me do a skit by the musician Prince," James said. "I remember coming out of a big refrigerator box and incorporating my unicycle at some point. I ended up winning because of my girls from Pearl River."

James went on to be the mascot for the Golden Eagles for two more years and recalls numerous moments and skits from throughout his time. Whether that was taking peanuts from a highway patrolman, impromptu skits when previously planned halftime entertainment didn't show up, creating iconic photos with the Mississippi State mascot or getting removed before a game even started for jumping in the legendary hedges at the University of Georgia. He graduated from USM in 1984 with a degree in Speech Communications.

In 1998, James found his true calling, co-founding Sumrall Recycling. In 2005, his business partner decided to retire, and James purchased his share. The business flourished under his leadership and became one of the most extensive multi-material recycling facilities across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. It ultimately operated across seven states.

He sold his company to Advanced Disposal Services in 2010 and continued to work for the company as Vice President of Recycling for several years. In 2011, he established the Poncho James Wildcat Scholarship, which is given to the person chosen to wear the mascot suit each season.

Today, he owns James Enterprises and is co-owner of The Midtown Market Shopping Center in Hattiesburg. He and his Wife, Wanda, have two daughters, Kelsey and Lainey. He is a member of Temple Baptist Church, is a lifetime member of the University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association and is a member of the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation, where he serves on the board. He's also part of USM's Circle of Champions.