Kean University

Jim Hynes' career as a second baseman for the Newark State Squires (now Kean University Cougars) was cut short on May 19, 1962, when he suffered a multiple fracture of his leg while turning a double play against Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). Despite the injury, Hynes continued to be one of the true student leaders during his time in school. Hynes served as the president of the freshman class in 1959-60, vice president of the student body in 1960-61 and senior class president in 1962-63. Hynes also held the post of president of the Sigma Beta Tau fraternity in 1962-63.

Hynes, currently the owner of Churchill Plastics in Minneapolis, has never forgotten his roots nor his love of the game of baseball. In October of 1999, Hynes donated a gift of $500,000 to his alma mater, which is being used to create a new baseball stadium currently under construction. The new stadium has been appropriately named the Jim Hynes '63 Baseball Stadium. However, this was not the first time Hynes showed his desire to give back to Kean University. In 1997, Hynes made his first contribution to the school when he endowed $60,000 in support of the baseball program in the name of his former coach, George Hudak.

Moreover, in his Hall of Fame acceptance letter, Hynes summed up his feelings about baseball and life. "I've never hit a homerun; I've never made a spectacular catch thus preserving a win. As an athlete, at best I'm a C+; as a scholar, at best a C+; but as a person who has never lost his love of the game and admiration for those who participate in it, I think I deserve an A. Life is good."

Hynes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology in 1963.