Skylee James
- School
- University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
- Position
- Infield
- Major
- Biological Sciences
Classroom
Skylee James is a four-time Horizon League Honor Roll member and a 2016-17 Easton/NFCA Scholar Athlete. James boasts a GPA of 3.41 as a biological sciences major. Last year, James volunteered with CueHaven in New Zealand, planting trees. James also volunteered with LandCare in Australia last year, planting trees and volunteering in a plant nursery.
Character
“Skylee James is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached. She is a ‘come with me’ kind of teammate who is always striving to make those around her better. She has shown grit and determination to earn back a starting position after a season-ending injury. She has played a key role in many UIC wins in the past. The sky is the limit for Skylee both on and off the field.” - UIC Head Coach Lynn Curylo
Community
James has volunteered with Special Olympics the past four years, helping organize the bocce ball tournament with her teammates. James has volunteered three years with UIC’s SPARK (Students Performing Acts of Random Kindness) organization and participated in the university’s community clean-up in 2017. James volunteered with the Metropolitan Breast Cancer Task force in 2017 and 2018 and has helped swab donors at various Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry drives the past three years. She currently serves as UIC’s Campus Representative for the School for Field Studies, as well as the alumni contact.
Competition
James was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team and All-Horizon League Second Team in 2016 and was named to the All-Horizon League First Team in 2018. Last season, James was one of only three players to play and start in all 54 games, and she led the team as well as the Horizon League with 49 RBIs. James ranked No. 71 in the nation in RBI per game with a 0.91 average and paced the Flames and the Horizon League with 15 doubles. The senior ended the season with the fourth-highest batting average at .303, putting up a .388 batting average in Horizon League play. James owned the second-highest slugging percentage for the Flames at .514 and racked up the third-most hits to rank fifth in the Horizon League with 53. The infielder tallied the second-most home runs on the Flames with six, while also recording two triples. James recorded 14 multi-hit appearances last year and was error-free at first base until April 24.
