Dale Mays Quotations

When he was little, I made sure my son, Aaron, met James and listened to our conversations. I wanted Aaron to be around James. Personally, I wouldn't be who I am today without James. He elevated himself and everyone around him. Even as coaches, he elevated us. He tried to walk a straight line in a crooked world.

I classify players as good, great and warriors. James was a warrior. And he took care of so many team problems that coaches have with players.

James Lewis was the first athlete I ever coached who really touched my heart. He was a special, special person.

James Lewis and those other kids in '78, '79 and '80 laid the groundwork for our state championship teams. But especially James. The kids that followed learned from him. We all did. He always came to practice prepared, practiced like it was game night and was better in the fourth quarter than he was in the first. He left an impression.

The boys were just 15, 16 years old, cutting up when we walked into the room. It got a little quieter when they saw us. Then James said something and gave them a look, and that's all it took. Everybody got quiet. I never knew anybody who was as respected by his peers. He didn't demand respect. He commanded it. The great ones have that. They have a presence.